Andy's film highlights the poverty faced by fishing communities in Sierra Leone. Every day is a struggle to find enough fish to feed, clothe shelter and keep healthy the families of local fishermen.

Sierra Leone has a life expectancy of just 49 years and has one of the highest rates of maternal and child mortality in the world. 80% of Sierra Leoneans live in poverty, with over half of all residents undernourished. The situation is worse still in Bonthe district—where Mania is located. The World Food Programme found in 2007 that 94% of households in the district faced ‘serious difficulties’ growing or securing enough food for their families.

To tackle these problems, Christian Aid works in Sierra Leone to develop secure livelihoods. This includes funding a food security project in the Sherbro River—the area where Andy’s film was made. Run by a local partner, the Methodist Church of Sierra Leone (MCSL), the programme can provide funds to buy;

- Larger boats to accomodate 15-20 fishermen

- Outboard motors

- Nets and Fishing Gear

- Fish-smoking ovens

- Other community projects for fishing families

Together, these items make fishing and fish processing more profitable, safer and more stable for communities in the Sherbro River. Small loans can be provided and the money is repaid over a four-year period, allowing MCSL to provide it to new communities.

Your support for this valuable project will make a meaningful difference for the fishing communities in the Sherbro River.