Sierra Leone - History and Demographics

Sierra Leone was inhabited by indigenous African people at least 2500 years ago. The Limba was the first known tribe there. The dense tropical rainforest partially isolated the region and became a refuge for people escaping violence and jihads. The Mane people invaded in the mid-16th century and sold many captives to European slave traders in the 17th and 18th centuries. Sierra Leone was colonized in 1787 by freed slaves arriving from England. It would become a center for anti-slavery efforts when the trade was abolished in 1807. A naval squadron was based there to intercept slave ships and the colony quickly grew as liberated Africans were released. Sierra Leone gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1961. Many years since independence have experienced autocratic governments or civil war. An example is a Civil War that lasted from 1991-2002 in which 1270 primary schools were destroyed. Currently the country holds presidential and parliamentary elections. Sierra Leone ranks 181 out of 189 countries as far as development. Government corruption, lack of an established education system, absence of civil rights and poor infrastructure contribute to the country's ongoing poverty.

Bountiful Children in Sierra Leone

Bountiful Children started helping communities in Sierra Leone in 2014. 53% of the population live below the national poverty line.