The need:

Sierra Leone is faced with many critical situations regarding the well being of children, especially orphans and abandoned children.  The United Nations estimates that there are over 350,000 child orphans in Sierra Leone, representing over 6.5% of its population.  A safe haven, offering long-term care, needs to be provided for these vulnerable children.  The All As One (AAO) Children’s Center would provide love, food, shelter, health care, and education for the children in our custody.

The vision:

The vision is to build three new homes for the children -- one for the girls, one for the boys and ones for infants and toddlers.  These homes would be situated on a spacious compound within private and secure fencing.  A new administration/office building for the entire compound and also a centrally located cafeteria/kitchen with large dining hall (and laundry room) are also part of the plans.  With these new homes and additional buildings, we would be able to provide for up to 150 children.   

In cooperation with the government of Sierra Leone, the Children's Center would provide for the welfare of abandoned and orphaned infants or children who are in immediate need of intensive loving care, and who need interim care while a long-term plan is considered.  Both short-term interim and long-term nurturing care are definitely needed, as there are no government-funded orphanages in Sierra Leone.  

The Children’s Center would provide an environment designed to ensure that the appropriate emotional and social interaction skills are acquired throughout a child’s development.  Efforts would also be focused on reuniting a lost child with their biological family, and finding extended family members to care for the child when possible.

Children's Center Objectives:

• Provide a long-term nurturing home for abandoned, orphaned and destitute children.

• Provide education and medical care for children living at the Children’s Center.

• Provide adequate food, clothing, and shelter so that the children develop well and are healthy overall.
 

Supporters of our vision for the Building A Future project should contact All As One by emailing info@aaodubai.org or phoning our Dubai office at 971.4.311.6578. If you are interested in donating supplies or materials for our building project including the orphanage, clinic, or school, please contact us. If you are interested in volunteering for a short-term trip to Sierra Leone to donate your skills and expertise, please let us know as we are currently making a list of potential donations and volunteers for future trips to Sierra Leone. We need help in the following key areas: medicine, education, and all facets of building construction.