Janet joined Give A Chance when she was 14. Janet’s family background is complex and difficult, and she was struggling. Becoming a nurse has been Janet’s dream since she can remember. Under the guidance and care of Brima and Esther, Janet persevered throughout secondary school and excelled. Janet successfully enrolled in a community health nursing course and graduated in 2020. She is now practicing in a hospital in Bo City. Janet could not be happier and more grateful for all the support and love she received from Brima, Esther and the Give A Chance family. Even though Janet is no longer living in the Give A Chance home, Brima and Esther regularly check in with her to ensure she is on track. Janet inherited the ethic of helping others when she can and, when she is more independent, she would like to give back to Give A Chance, thus providing an exponential benefit to others – giving them a chance, just like she had.

“I met Brima when I worked in Sierra Leone two years ago. I asked if he had children. He told me he has 12. I was surprised and he clarified: 2 from blood and 10 from heart. I was touched by the fact that someone with not much resources choose to fill their home with as many children as possible. I truly wanted to help his mission and asked for the possibility to financially support one more child. This is when I met Mamie. She was 10 years old and her background was poor: There was no trace of her father since the Ebola outbreak, and she was supported just by her mother. She was so happy that she would start a new life and have new opportunities. Even though I am based on another continent, we are in touch and I am part of Mamie’s life. I dream of bringing her to Europe for higher education. Sierra Leone is one of the poorest countries in the world and I believe real change can only come from inside: This is why we need to prepare these children through education so they can be the transformational power in their country.”