Organization
Disability Empowerment Movement Sierra Leone(DEMSL)
Founded in 2016 by Eleanor, a civil war survivor and amputee, DEMSL fights injustice against people with disabilities and vulnerable children in Freetown and across Sierra Leone. The organisation provides mobility aids, shelter, schooling, and advocacy to improve lives affected by disability and conflict.
About
The Disability Empowerment Movement Sierra Leone (DEMSL) was founded in 2016 by Eleanor, a Sierra Leonean amputee who lost her leg to a landmine during the civil war and became a leading disability rights advocate. Based in Freetown, DEMSL was established to fight injustice against people with disabilities and disadvantaged children across Sierra Leone.
What They Do
DEMSL provides direct support including mobility aids such as crutches and wheelchairs, care and schooling for disabled children, and outreach to families of children with disabilities. The organisation fundraises internationally to expand its impact, has helped dozens of children achieve school success, and advocates publicly for greater inclusion and rights recognition in Sierra Leone. Plans are underway to establish a dedicated care home in Freetown.
Who They Serve
DEMSL serves children and adults with physical disabilities and other impairments in Freetown and across Sierra Leone, with particular focus on those affected by the civil war — amputees, landmine survivors, and children with war-related disabilities — as well as orphans and street children.
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