By Komba Fillie
One of the champions of family plaining in the country “Marie Stopes Siera Leone “ on Friday 25th April 2025 held a one-day session with different school champions on Family Planning on the Youth for health Project in Waterloo.
The objective of the project is to Expand life Changing Access for Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health Care in Sierra Leone. The importance of the project is to support school Base organizations in different school Within the Waterloo Rural District.
During his facilitation, the Communication and External relation officer for Marie Stopes Sierra Leone, Sandy Massaquoi underscored the importance of the engagement especially in a time when the project is closing. He said the project started in 2022 with support from the European Union. He noted that the project teaches family planning, sexual reproductive health, prevent adolescents from unwanted pregnancy, abstinence and support women’s rights.
He pointed out that the project has created a significant impact in the life of young girls and boys in the country, noting that its target is to ensure young adolescents between the ages of 12 to 19 years are well knowledgeable in family planning. The project according to him He added that the project creates a structure called school health clubs. He said members has benefited various school health clubs who are now serving as ambassadors and champions in their respective schools.
He recalled that the project is been implemented in Western Areas Rural District, Kambia and Port Loko District based on the base line survey which inform them of increase teenage pregnancy in the 3 districts. He said since the project started to date there has been greater reduction in teenage pregnancy and unwanted pregnancy.
He recalled that Marie Stopes Sierra Leone was established in 1986 as the largest provider of family planning and sexual reproductive health services in the country. He said they work with government of Sierra Leone in reducing the maternal mortality rate and increase the contraceptive prevalence rate and working in hard-to-reach areas.
