Where We Work : Sierra Leone : Partnership

Funding from our investors, SEDF and Omidyar Network, enabled BRAC to start and implement our microfinance programme in Sierra Leone. Each investor holds 24.5% of the shares of BRAC MicroFinance (SL) Limited, with BRAC accounting for the remaining 51%.

BRAC’s Essential Health Care and agriculture, livestock and poultry programmes in Sierra Leone would not have been possible without funding from Foundation Open Society Institute, Omidyar Network and Humanity United - we are grateful for their ongoing support.

Working with the Government of Sierra Leone

Since we started our operations in Sierra Leone in 2008, BRAC has started and maintains a good relationship with the Government of Sierra Leone. Some of the collaboration initiatives between BRAC and the Government of Sierra Leone include:

Microfinance: Before starting our microfinance activities, we ensured the approval from and support of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and we registered BRAC MicroFinance (SL) Limited with the Registrar General Office and the Bank of Sierra Leone (Central Bank) as a credit-only microfinance institution.

Health and Agriculture, Livestock and Poultry: Before starting activities for our health and agriculture, livestock and poultry programmes, attestation was given by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. BRAC was registered as an INGO in Sierra Leone by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. All Ministries are kept updated about BRAC’s activities through monthly meetings and reports.

At a decentralised level, BRAC always registers with the District Councils of the districts concerned before starting any activities and ensures continued collaboration. At a local level, BRAC always consults with and obtains the permission from the paramount chief, section heads and village leaders of every chiefdom we intend to work in.

Other Collaboration

BRAC always ensures collaboration with key organisations and institutions in its areas of operation to create the greatest possible impact with our programmes. Since the beginning of our operations in microfinance, we have collaborated with the Bank of Sierra Leone as well as other microfinance institutions. In addition to this, BRAC takes part in meetings and initiatives organised by MITAF, the Microfinance and Technical Assistance Facility - funded by KfW, UNCDF, UNDP and Cordaid - which gives technical assistance and training to microfinance institutions in Sierra Leone. The project aims to strengthen the capacity of the Sierra Leone Association of Microfinance Institutions (SLAMFI), which will ultimately take over responsibilities from MITAF.

Our Health Programme maintains ties with Marie Stopes International as well as government health facilities and private clinics for the referral of patients identified by Community Health Volunteers and Community Health Workers.

Our Agriculture Programme has procured rice seeds from the Seed Multiplication Unit at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, which is funded and supervised by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and has also commenced initial talks with Helen Keller International, an organisation supporting a number of BRAC projects in Bangladesh and interested in collaboration with BRAC in West Africa.

On an administrative level, BRAC works with the Sierra Leone Association of NGOs (SLANGO) to obtain residence and work permits for its expatriate staff and keep abreast of any developments pertaining to NGO activities and government rules and regulations.