In Sierra Leone, many children grow up without the love and security of a family, leaving their futures uncertain and their dreams out of reach. Yatta Kpanabum was one of those children. Orphaned as a baby, she spent nearly a decade growing up in an orphanage, never experiencing the warmth and love of a family. However, thanks to the dedicated efforts of Kidsave, Integrated Development Initiatives (IDI-SL), and support from the Polish Foundation for Africa, her life has taken a dramatic turn for the better.
Yatta was only six months old when Ebola struck her village of Moriba Town in the Southern Province of Sierra Leone in 2015. The devastating outbreak took the lives of both her parents, leaving her alone in the world. She was taken in by the Smith Sam orphanage in Mogbemo, where she spent the next nine years of her life. Until early 2025, she had never known what it felt like to be part of a family.
That changed when Kidsave social workers visited her orphanage in January 2025. Recognizing the need for children like Yatta to grow up in stable, loving homes, they organized a community event attended by hundreds of people. It was there that a family expressed interest in welcoming Yatta into their home. The IDI social workers carried out a thorough home assessment to confirm that the family was caring, responsible, and able to provide the necessary care for Yatta. They determined that Mrs. Kamara's home in Bo was a safe and supportive environment. Even though Mrs. Kamara was not a biological relative, she had a long-standing relationship with Yatta’s late parents and felt a strong bond with their daughter. It was evident that she was enthusiastic about giving Yatta the love and support she had been missing.
To help her adjust, Yatta was welcomed to spend two weeks getting to know Mrs. Kamara and her family. For the first time, she felt the warmth of a hug during lonely moments, enjoyed being cared for, and had a say in everyday activities. These simple but meaningful experiences filled her heart with the joy of family life.
On February 10, 2025, Yatta’s transition was made official—she finally had a place to call home. Overwhelmed with joy and gratitude, she expressed her feelings in a heartfelt statement:
“This moment is the day God set aside for me to start a happier life and feel like I belong in society. Years spent in the orphanage felt like being sentenced to life in prison,” said Yatta. “My two-week stay with my new family gave me hope and showed me what it truly means to grow up in a home. I now understand the love, care, and warmth that children with families receive. To IDI, Kidsave International, and the Polish Foundation for Africa, you are God’s gift, leading me to a new life with a family. I promise to listen to my new mom, attend school, and be a good girl and a role model in society.”
Yatta’s story powerfully illustrates the mission of Kidsave and IDI-SL. It emphasizes the significance of family-based care and its deep impact on a child’s emotional and social development. As we continue our life-changing work in Sierra Leone, we are dedicated to finding families for more children like Yatta, providing them not just with shelter but also with a sense of identity, love, and belonging. Every child deserves a home, and through these efforts, more children in Sierra Leone are gaining the opportunity to embrace a hopeful and promising future.
