Pamaronkoh Womens Development Association (PAWDA)
" We need your help to build our school"
When Ayoka, our Training Director, was invited to visit PAWDA in Freetown, to mentor and listen to their issues, little did she know that she would be inspired and motivated by a group of women who knew exactly where they needed to be to better their own lives and those of their families.
Sierra Leone, the Mountain of Lions, is a state in West Africa, named after the one of the hills where built Freetown, its capital was built. Freetown is picturesque town of marvellous fauna but its beauty and natural harmony have been affected by the long war. People are still fighting for normality and a decent quality of life. Sierra Leone is one of the poorest countries in the world. Approximately two thirds of its people make a living through agriculture and fishing. The GDP per capita is 580 and 68% of the population lives below the poverty line.
About PAWDA
PAWDA is a voluntary organisation which was set up by women who saw that the only route to a better tommorrow for their families was education. In 2002 in light of the opening of the Centre for Basic Education, 1998 , Mrs Mary Kamara formed the Women's Development Association ( PAWDA )and opened a craft school wich has to date provided basic education and craft skills to over 300 young women. Some of them now run their own small businesses and some are now teaching their craft to others.
She is currently the Director of training and Chairperson of the Association It was with pride that she was able to talk about the organisation’s achievements.
Apart from skills based learning, the aim of the school is to provide education and promote awareness of public, family planning and personal health issues. It also provide business start up financial support and mentoring to assist their graduates.
Most of the students dont know how to read and write so this forms the basis of the first lessons. Skills based courses offered include Sewing, Weaving, Textile Dyeing, Hairdressing and Computer awareness.
Main Problems
There is no electricity in the school so we have to use manual sewing machines and charcoal irons. This also affects the quality of our learning especially during computer lessons, as we have to use a generator which basically drowns out the teachers voice.
We don’t have enough fabrics so we have to use old cement bags for practice. This tears easily and is not too good for the machines. We also do not have enough workspace and we sometimes have to divide the areas using curtains. When weaving, we work in difficult conditions, without dish, without of gloves, paint mieszamy in improvised vessels.
Urgent Appeal - How you can help
Ethical Shopping
Visit PAWDA's online gallery to see the variety of products. Each item you buy, helps to contribute towards a regeneration fund for the school and also provides income to the maker.
Sponsorship and Donations
An example of some of the materials required to build up the school is listed below. The list is not conclusive and Neomari has offered to put together funding application for any available grants free of charge on PAWDA's behalf.
1. The sand(1 trip)
2. The granite stone-(1 trip)
3. Cement(100 bags)
4. Iron Rod(60 pieces)
5. Binding wire(1 roll)
6. Lift pump
7. The Escavation & workmanship,
Total is approximately £15500.00
Ayoka will be going back to Sierra Leone in the spring of 2010, to coordinate an Enterprise Showcase in which the women of PAWDA will be sponsored to participate. If you would like more information, please contact us by email on
Ayoka Tamuno, Poland
Marzanna Augustyniak, Poland
Ekky Archibong, UK
or visit the website at
Mrs Mary Kamara
Pamaronkoh Women`s Development Association
PAWDA
7 Dixon Drive
Pamarionkoh - Calaba Town
Freetown
Sierra Leone
tel. +232 76 610 738
tel. +232 77 557 039
wpamaronkoh2010@yahoo.com