By: Abdul Razack Gbla
Following a move to empower and reform female inmates, the Fashion for Change initiative, under the Football for Reform program, has donated essential sewing equipment and materials to the Skills Training Workshop at the Sierra Leone Female Correctional Service in Brookfield, Freetown.
The presentation took place on Wednesday, January 9th, 2024, at the Female Correctional Centre housed within the Special Court Building. The donation, which includes four brand-new sewing machines, scissors, needles, threads, beads, an electric iron, a tape measure, cotton materials, and cash for refreshments, is aimed at equipping inmates with tailoring and handicraft skills.
The initiative’s overarching goal is to ensure inmates are adequately prepared to reintegrate into society and become self-sufficient after serving their sentences.Speaking at the ceremony, Madam Jenneh Amara Bangalie, a representative of Fashion for Change, emphasised the importance of the donation.
“We are here to support these women in gaining valuable skills that will enable them to rebuild their lives upon release. This is a significant step toward empowering inmates, and we hope to extend this initiative to other female correctional centers across the country,” she said.
One of the inmates expressed gratitude on behalf of her peers, thanking Madam Isha Johansen, Madam Bangalie, and their team for their continued support. She urged the organization and other stakeholders to maintain their efforts in creating impactful changes within the Sierra Leonean society.
Fashion for Change, a component of the Football for Reform Initiative spearheaded by FIFA Council Member Madam Isha Johansen, has consistently demonstrated its commitment to social reform.
In December 2024, the organization hosted a fundraising event that successfully secured the equipment donated to the correctional center.
The Skills Training Workshop itself is the result of a broader humanitarian effort led by FIFA officials, including Madam Johansen, FIFA General Secretary Madam Fatma Samoura, and Madam Fatu Camara from FIFA’s African Regional Headquarters in Senegal.
Their vision and generosity facilitated the construction of the training facility, which now serves as a strong pillar of hope and rehabilitation for female inmates.
This initiative reflects the collective effort to reform lives and promote sustainable reintegration into society, signaling a brighter future for the beneficiaries of such programs.
