From Shyness to Strength: Becoming a Community Champion
Messie is a confident, outspoken 15-year-old girl from Taway in Kailahun District, in Eastern Sierra Leone. She now lives with her aunt, Miata Amara, in Kono Bendu, a community where traditional customs and gender roles often limit young people – especially girls – from speaking up or taking part in decision-making.
Although naturally bold and curious, Messie wasn’t allowed to join youth activities or attend the local child-friendly space. That changed when a friend of her aunt’s, who also serves as a Community Health Officer saw her potential and recommended her as a female child representative for the local Community Task Force under the FOUNDATIONS project. The Community Task Force is a group of local members who work together on different initiatives, to raise awareness and tackle the root causes of gender equality and sexual and reproductive health issues.
In Messie’s community, harmful practices like early marriage and female genital mutilation and cutting are common. They are driven by gender norms which lead girls to be excluded from education or health discussions. Few safe spaces existed for adolescents to learn, share, or influence decisions.
Through her role on the Task Force, Messie began attending regular meetings with other members across the chiefdom. Together, they reviewed progress on ending these harmful practices and planned ways to better support girls.
She also took part in awareness sessions led by local partner N’domakeh Federation, which helped parents and caregivers understand gender equality and adolescent health rights. These gatherings began shifting how the community viewed girls’ roles and opened doors for young voices like Messie’s to be heard.
“At first, I was afraid to speak in public,” Messie recalls. “But now I help other girls find their voices too. I want every girl to know she matters and has the right to dream.”
Messie’s involvement in these activities turned her into a strong and respected advocate for other young people. Because of her commitment and straightforward way of speaking, she is now the main youth leader in Kono Bendu for NGO work and community activities. She leads other children in discussions, group efforts, and awareness campaigns, pushing for change and encouraging them to learn about their rights and make better choices.
Her growth has not gone unnoticed.
“When we invest in girls like Messie, we invest in the future of the entire community,” says a field staff member from N’domakeh Federation. “Her courage shows us that change is not only possible – it is already happening.”
Today, Messie is more than a participant, she is a leader. She has inspired other children to join development programs and earned respect from elders, leaders, and peers. By breaking barriers, Messie is proving that when girls are empowered, whole communities move forward.