Cofa Creating Opportunities For All

COFA MAKES GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY BUILDING EFFORTS IN SIERRA LEONE BOTH TO LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS REGISTERED IN SIERRA LEONE AND TO UNITED STATES BASED 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATIONS.

KING KAMA LUNCHES AND TEACHER STIPENDS, MILE 91 BUILDING, ADAMA SCHOOL SUPPLIES:PROVIDING NEEDED LUNCHES FOR STUDENTS AT THE KING KAMA SCHOOL PLUS TEACHER STIPENDS AND NEEDED SCHOOL SUPPLIES.

NOURISHING YOUNG MINDS AND BODIESTHIS MONTH-LONG SCHOOL AND FEEDING PROGRAM OPERATES DURING JULY-AUGUST, WHEN FOOD SUPPLIES ARE LOWEST AND MANY PEOPLE SUBSIST ON A SINGLE MEAL EACH DAY, AND WHEN THE REGULAR SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED. INITIATED IN 2020 IN FOUR SCHOOLS AND PAID FOR PRIVATELY BY COFA'S FOUNDER AND A GOFUNDME CAMPAIGN, IN 2022 IT RECEIVED FOUNDATION FUNDING TO SUPPORT CLASSROOM TEACHING AND PROVIDE DAILY LUNCH IN 11 SCHOOLS IN THE LUNSAR REGION FOR MORE THAN 2,500 PRIMARY- AND SECONDARY-SCHOOL STUDENTS. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES A MONTH'S SALARY TO THE TEACHERS AND THE LOCAL WOMEN WHO PREPARE THE DAILY LUNCH. THE PROJECT ALSO SUPPORTS LOCAL YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN, PREVIOUSLY UNEMPLOYED, WHO GROW THE RICE USED FOR MEALS, ON LAND RENTED BY COFA.

GROWING FAMILY PROSPERITYNOW IN ITS SECOND YEAR, THIS12-MONTH AGRICULTURAL PROGRAM AIMS TO PROVIDE BASIC FARMING SUPPLIES AND GUIDANCE TO HOUSEHOLDS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES, TO ENABLE FAMILIES TO GROW CROPS AND THEREBY PROVIDE FOOD FOR THEMSELVES AND SELL THE SURPLUS TO PRODUCE INCOME. ALL SUPPLIES AND SALARIES FOR THE PROJECT MANAGER, A TRAINED AGRONOMIST, AND EXTENSION WORKERS ARE FUNDED BY COFA. PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE FIELD TRAINING FROM THE PROJECT STAFF TO GROW RICE, GROUNDNUTS, CUCUMBERS, PEPPERS, OKRA, CASSAVA, AND POTATOES. IN ADDITION, EACH FAMILY RECEIVES A PAIR OF GOATS AND CHICKENS. HARVESTS AND SEED BANKING, FOR FUTURE CROPS, TAKE PLACE OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR. THE FIRST "CLASS" OF 30 FAMILIES COMPLETED THEIR FIRST YEAR AND ARE ON THE PATH TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY. THEY ARE NOT BEING SUPPORTED FINANCIALLY BY COFA, BUT ARE STILL RECEIVING REGULAR VISITS FROM STAFF AND ADVICE. ALL 30 FAMILIES WERE ABLE TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVES BY SENDING CHILDREN TO SCHOOL, PURCHASING MORE LAND TO FARM, PAYING OFF DEBTS, IMPROVING THEIR HOMES, ETC. THE SECOND CLASS OF 25 FAMILIES HAVE ALREADY BEGUN THEIR JOURNEY. A NEW PROGRAM OF COMPOSTING TO PRODUCE FERTILIZER IS BEING INTRODUCED TO ALL 55 FAMILIES IN 2024, WHICH SHOULD REDUCE DEPENDENCE ON CHEMICAL FERTILIZER. A PILOT PROGRAM TO PROCESS CASSAVA ROOT IS BEING ESTABLISHED IN 3 VILLAGES.