Staff and Students of Women in Action with Esther's Echo Team Members
The Women in Action Development Project survives on donations to stay in operation. Your contributions, whatever the amount, help to go a long way! Here is some of what you’ve already helped to accomplish
1) Offsetting Annual Operating Costs: The largest single cost to Women in Action each year is rent payments on the building they occupy - approximately 7000USD a year. Our main goal each year is to cover this cost so that funds acquired by the school can be reinvested in new programs, equipment, and scholarships. Since Esther’s Echo was founded in 2011, we’ve covered at least most or all of this cost each year. Our long term goal is to build Women in Action its own building so that rent is no longer a factor
2) Support Through Crises: On three occasions, your support has helped keep the doors at Women in Action open during a crisis. In 2014, the school had to cease operation due to an Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone. In 2016 the country experienced heavy Summer flooding. In 2019-2020 the school was impacted by the COVID19 Pandemic. In each case, the school wasn’t able to take on regular catering and tailoring contracts it uses to both train staff and raise money. Your funds acted as life support in these times of crisis
3) Expansion to a Second Location: Women in Action expanded to a second location in October 2019 when it opened the Port Loko school. Port Loko is a rural region outside of the capital city of Freetown. Your support made this possible!
4) Child Daycare Centre: Esther always spoke of the need of a daycare. Without child care, women caring for children at home wouldn’t be able to attend classes. In 2016, the “Kiddies Foundation” program began allowing many more women, as well as their children, attend classes at Women in Action.
5) Plot of Farmland: Because of funds we provided, Women in Action was able to purchase a plot of farmland in July of 2017 that is used to grow and then sell crops as an income generating project for the school.