The Sierra Leone War Trust for Children was formed in April 1999, by Sierra Leoneans, living and working in the UK. This was in response to the atrocities committed against children in Sierra Leone, during the country's ten year civil war. The Trustees are committed to improving the welfare of war-affected children and work for the Trust on a voluntary basis.
The founders of SLWT wanted to help these children and youth but wanted to do so in a manner that ensured that their efforts would have a direct, effective and tangible impact on those young lives. The founders did not want to create an administrative machinery that would be costly to run (as this would divert funds to office, transport, salary etc costs) and away from the people on the ground). SLWT therefore partners with existing credible Sierra Leonean organisations which already have the logistics and administrative machinery in place. That way SLWT can channel its funds directly to its projects. SLWT’s trustees serve the organisation on a voluntary basis. All projects are community led and SLWT provides financial and technical support.
Board of Trustees
Dennis Greene
Felna Fox
Othame Kabia
Renée Horton-Spring (Treasurer)
Trudy Morgan
Winston Hunter (Secretary)
Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr (Chairperson)
Georgina Awoonor-Gordon
Nadia Kamara
Natacha Leopold
Dennis Greene (BSc MSc)is an Information Architect with the Market Analytics group at BNP Paribas. In his role as Secretary, Dennis is heavily involved in the day to day running of the organisation.
Felna Fox (BA Hons AADip PGCE ARB)is a qualified architect and teacher of design. She volunteers some of her time and skill to SLWT and is responsible for the design output for SLWT.
Othame Kabia (BA Hons MSc DIC TD)is a Principal Finance Officer in Southwark Council’s Children’s Division. He is a Major in the Territorial Army, and has served in the Middle East and with the International Military Advisory and Training Team (IMATT) in Sierra Leone. He has an interest in agriculture in Sierra Leone and provides support to SLWT as and when is necessary.
Renée Horton-Spring (BA Hons)works for Tectura UK Ltd (a Microsoft Business Solutions Partner), as Commercial Director. Renée is co-founder and is responsible for the maintaining SLWT’s accounts, in her capacity as Treasurer.
Trudy Morgan (B.Eng Hons MBA)is an Associate Director with Turner & Townsend Project Management Limited and has considerable experience of project management within a significant number of developing countries. In 2001, she completed her MBA at Cranfield School of Management and uses her skills to contribute to project management and strategy development within SLWT.
Winston Hunter (B.Eng.(Hons) MSc)has a keen interest in the promotion of Education in Sierra Leone. He uses his expertise in Project Management to further develop and implement SLWT's Projects.
Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr (BSc Hons MSc ACA)is Investment and Marketing Director of IDEA (UK) - promoter of the Mape Project, the single largest real estate development in Sierra Leone. She is a Chartered Accountant with 20 years of experience in financial markets risk consulting and real estate development. Yvonne is co-founder and chairperson of SLWT.
Georgina Awoonor-Gordon (BSc)draws on past experience gained whilst working on development projects for Sierra Leone, and now as an International Grants Officer to inform her role as Trustee. She has a keen interest in health and enterprise development
Nadia Kamara (BA Hons, MSc) has a keen interest in development issues in Sierra Leone, specifically Governance and Education. She has worked as a Consultant for the World Bank recently, and is currently training to be a Lawyer. Nadia is involved in fundraising and projects for SLWT.
Natacha Leopold (BA Hons) works for Elvis Communications an integrated marketing communications agency. She joined SLWT as a trustee in April 2010. She, alongside the other new trustees are responsible for identifying and implementing ways of engaging with, and gaining the advocacy of, a younger group of supporters.
CharityNumber
1085628
RegisteredAddress
7 Thornton Road, Little Health, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 1JJ
In the Loma Mountains of Sierra Leone are West Africa’s highest mainland mountain, Mount Bintumani, and the source of the country’s largest river, The Rokel. The mountains are in the northeast of Sierra Leone and many rare species of wildlife are found in its forests. Mount Bintumani (aka Mt Binitmani or Loma Mansa) stands at 6,381 feet (1,945 metres) high.
The Rokel flows south west for 240 miles (386 Kilometres) and empties into the Atlantic Ocean through the Sierra Leone River Estuary between the Western Area peninsula (which includes the capital Freetown) and Port Loko District. The Rokel’s claim to fame extends beyond physical prominence. It hosts the natural Freetown Harbour and the Bumbuna Dam - principal source of electricity supply to the capital. Most travellers to Sierra Leone will cross the river by helicopter shuttles or various forms of marine transport from the international airport at Lungi to Freetown.
