About Us
WHO WE ARE
Defence for Children International – Sierra Leone (DCI-SL) is a non-governmental organisation that was founded in 1998 to promote and protect the human rights of children in Sierra Leone. We are the Sierra Leonean chapter of the worldwide movement of Defence for Children International and the representative of ECPAT International in Sierra Leone.
Generally, we are known as the go-to organisation for justice and all other issues concerning the human rights for children. Through our work in several districts across Sierra Leone, we ensure that children deprived of their liberty, children who are victims of gender-based violence, trafficking, sexual exploitation, and other forms of violence can access justice, rehabilitation services and be reintegrated in society. We also facilitate access to education for out of school children, building capacity of schools and teachers to improve learning outcomes of students, promote the economic inclusion of girls and young women and enhance child participation and youth activism. Our main thrust is to respond to the specific needs of children, particularly those in vulnerable situations, and contribute to the continuous strengthening of the national child protection and welfare system in Sierra Leone.
Our main objectives are to respond to the specific needs of children, particularly those in vulnerable situations, and to contribute to the continuous strengthening of the national child protection and welfare system in Sierra Leone.
We seek a Sierra Leone where children have a voice and are protected in both law and practice.
We are committed and focused on the human rights of children and strive to empower them as active agents of change.
Where We Work
Defence for Children International - Sierra Leone We operate in 7 operational districts but offices only in 6 districts (Western Area, Bo, Kenema, Makeni, Karene and Moyamba) The two officeless districts are Pujehun and Kambia has district officers Western Area, Moyamba, Bo, Kenema, and Bombali districts and implement cross cutting and rocket programmes in Pujehun, Kambia, Karena, and Tonkolili districts. At regional and international level, we also implement programmes to end gender-based violence and promote the economic inclusion of girls and young women, ensure access to quality education, combat child trafficking and enhance protection for children on the move, and enhance youth activism.
PERSONNEL
Presently, we have 42 full time staff – 54% male and 46% female;10 volunteers- 40% male and 60% female; 25 community paralegals (not full-time staff) - 50% male and 50% female and 7 Board members- 57% male and 43% female
DCI Sierra Leone is a membership organisation that has been institutionalized to advocate for and provide services that execute the rights of children. Thus, the organization has two main organs:
(1) The membership organ, which comprises registered members who provide voluntary service to the organization and also responsible for the election of board members that govern the organization. The executive of the membership wing of the organization serves as board of the Administrative and Management organ of the organization.
2) The Administrative and Management arm, otherwise referred to as the NGO secretariat of the organization. The main role of this wing is to design and implements projects that reflect the aspirations of the organization. It mainly constitutes staff who are on contracts and receive monthly salaries for the work that they do. The secretariat is headed by the Executive Director who serves also as secretary to the board.
BOARD
The board is the main connection between the membership arm and the program/secretariat arm of the organization. The board meets three to four times in a year. The main role of the board is to provide oversight on the operations of the organization, approve annual budget, annual plan of action and policies, take critical governance decisions and ensure accountability measures are in place to checkmate policy compliance of the organization.
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
The secretariat is headed by the Executive Director who puts together a management committee of senior staff from program, finance and administrative sectors of the organization. The Management Committee is responsible for setting an organization’s strategic decision, ensuring financial stability and providing overall governance and accountability to the board through the executive director. Other key responsibilities include making major decisions on operational issues, ensuring that the organisation operates legally and ethically in accordance with its statute and policies. The Management Committee meets at least once in a month.
GENERAL BODY
This is the largest gathering of the organisation. We organize Annual General Meeting (AGM) to discuss program achievements and challenges, plan for the ensuing year, address staff welfare and general health of the organisation. The AGM also provides a social platform for members and staff of the organisation from different parts of the country to meet, socialize and strengthen their professional bond.
PROJECT MEETINGS
Project Managers and their staff organize frequent meetings to follow up on project implementation and address problems arising as soon as possible without affecting smooth running of the projects.
