Stories
June 27, 2025 • 2 min read
GOAL Sierra Leone, funded by partners like the Faroe Islands and Ireland's Civil Society Partnership, has transformed Freetown's Lumley Beach women's livelihoods. The introduction of new financial skills to their Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLA) has empowered these women to preserve fish efficiently, reduce losses, and plan their finances strategically.
Wan Pole, a small fishing community along Freetown’s Lumley Beach, has long been home to hardworking women fish traders who struggled with the challenges of preserving their catch. Limited access to essential preservation tools like freezers and proper drying equipment meant frequent spoilage, leading to financial instability and reduced market competitiveness. Recognizing the need for sustainable solutions, GOAL Sierra Leone partnered with donor organizations to empower these women through innovative tools, financial training, and community-driven initiatives.
Tools for Transformation
GOAL Sierra Leone introduced energy-saving ovens, providing a sustainable and effective solution for fish preservation. These ovens enable faster, cleaner drying of fish, eliminating spoilage and increasing profitability. For women like Sarah Kamara, the ovens have become symbols of empowerment, allowing them to sell both smoked and raw fish at fairer prices.
“In the past, we experienced significant losses because we couldn’t sell all the fish before it spoiled, and we didn’t have freezers to preserve it,” explained Sarah Kamara, a local fish trader and mother of four. “Sometimes, we would smoke fish for our customers, but without proper drying equipment, the fish often wasn’t dried well enough. When that happened, we had to replace the spoiled fish at our own expense, adding to our losses.”
Financial Empowerment
Through Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLA), women in Wan Pole now manage their finances effectively, pooling over 90,000 Leones.
Adama Kabba, one of the women managing the savings box, said they had never known how to plan their finances effectively, but now things have changed. “Now we plan our finances well, separating capital, expenses and profits. We also put aside some money regularly for our savings.”
Sustained Impact Through Collaboration
A revolving finance model ensures that all participants benefit from new equipment over time. This system not only supports immediate needs but also provides startup capital for individual businesses. Women are reinvesting in essential tools like freezers and stabilisers, enabling long-term success and resilience in the fishing industry.
Wan Pole also received an energy-saving oven, which is used collectively by the women. Additionally, they benefited from post-harvest loss equipment such as four freezers, fifteen ice boxes, and four stabilizers provided under the ISCP and Faroe project. These items are not given freely; instead, the women contribute an agreed monthly amount. This pooled fund is used to purchase equipment for other women who have not yet received any, ensuring that everyone benefits in the long run. This revolving model fosters a sense of ownership and solidarity. Once all the women have received their equipment, the remaining pooled funds will be distributed among them to boost their individual businesses further.
