Empowering Youth for Climate Action and Justice
First Fruits is a faith inspired based, youth-focused NGO dedicated to climate awareness, gender justice, and responsible citizenship. We empower young people to lead community transformation by addressing poverty and social barriers. Established in 2016, our mission is to change systems that perpetuate marginalization. Join us in building a just Sierra Leone where everyone can achieve their full potential.
Building an Equal, Just and Greener Tomorrow.
First Fruits Sierra Leone is a faith inspired non-governmental organization dedicated to climate cange, governance and gender equality. We are focussed NGO that strives to cultivate a sustainable future by empowering young people and their communities to become advocates and facilitators of climate and environmental stewardship, gender equality and transparent, inclusive and accountable decision-making and governance processes. Rooted in our commitment to creation care and a more equal and just world, we engage with communities across Sierra Leone to implement innovative and impactful solutions to the pressing gender, governance and climate challenges faced by our nation. Our goal is to inspire positive change through education, advocacy, and hands-on projects that nurture both the communities and the environment in which they live, fueled by the power of young leaders of tomorrow.
Unleashing the Power of Young People to Drive Transformation
Who We Are.
First Fruits Sierra Leone is a national, youth-led, faith-inspired NGO working with communities to overcome poverty and injustice. While our values are rooted in love and care for people and the Earth, we are not a church or faith-based organization and do not proselytize. We work with people of all faiths and none—focused on dignity, inclusion, and justice. Our Vision. A just, resilient Sierra Leone where young people and communities work together to overcome poverty, exclusion, and injustice. Our Mission. To mobilize and empower young people to lead transformative action in their communities through climate resilience, gender justice, and accountable governance.
Our Strategic Focus Areas.
Thematic Area:
Climate Adaptation and Resilience
Our Focus
Supporting communities to respond to climate risks through local knowledge, youth innovation, and sustainable solutions.
Gender Justice
Our Focus:
Promoting gender equity, safety, and empowerment, especially for women and girls, in all aspects of community life.
Governance and Responsible Citizenship
Our Focus:
Equipping young people and communities to engage in accountable governance and advocate for inclusive development.
Our Model: Youth-Led, Community-Rooted
Key Operating Principles:
1. Youth at the Core
We work with and through young people. Our approach builds the leadership and action capacities of community-based youth to drive change in their own environments.
2. Volunteer Power
We identify, train, and support youth volunteers embedded in their communities. These youth leaders sustain action beyond project timelines—ensuring lasting impact.
3. Community-First Investment
We maintain a lean core structure, keeping operational overheads low. This allows us to invest more directly into community-led solutions and urgent local priorities.
4. Reaching the Margins
We work in some of Sierra Leone’s most remote communities, often beyond the tarmac where others do not reach. We bridge gaps and connect communities to services, networks, and opportunities.
5. Amplifying Voices
We support youth and communities to speak, act, and lead—elevating local voices into district, regional, and national dialogues on development, justice, and inclusion.
How We Work
What We Do
Empower Youth
How We Do It
Training and mentoring youth as community mobilizers, facilitators, and advocates.
Enable Communities
How We Do It
Facilitating inclusive planning, implementation, and review processes led by communities themselves.
Deliver Impact
Co-creating solutions with communities, aligned with their priorities and sustained by local leadership.
Drive Policy Influence
How We Do It
Linking local voices and evidence to district and national advocacy for systemic change.
Promote Inclusion
How Do It
Prioritizing marginalized groups—women, youth, people with disabilities, and rural populations—in all programs and processes.
Our Strengths
• Youth-Led DNA: Founded by young people from Njala University, led by youth at all levels.
• Community Trust: Deep-rooted presence and relationships in the areas we serve.
• Agile and Lean: Low bureaucracy, high flexibility, and focused investments into field impact.
• Values-Driven: Inspired by love, justice, and care for the Earth and humanity.
“Our work isn’t about delivering for communities—it’s about standing with them, supporting their youth to rise as leaders, and building the kind of future that leaves no one behind.”
— Fanny Veronica Mando, National Coordinator
MEET OUR LEADERS
OMARU DURA SESAY
Board Chairman
“When young people are trusted and supported, they don’t just imagine change—they make it happen.”
“Young people are the cogs that turn the wheels of change in their communities—and our job is to help them turn stronger, faster, and with purpose.”
Omaru Dura Sesay is a retired development professional with over two decades of experience. Omaru served in various leadership roles with World Vision Sierra Leone, culminating in his position as Provincial Manager for the Southern Region. His journey in development began on a USAID-funded project supporting war-affected youth to rebuild their lives and communities through skills training and empowerment. Omaru has remained deeply committed to youth development throughout his career and into retirement. At First Fruits, he brings seasoned leadership, strategic guidance, and a deep understanding of community-centered development to support the next generation of change makers.
FANNY VERONICA MANDO
National Coordinator
“When young people are trusted and supported, they don’t just imagine change—they make it happen.”
Fanny is driven by a deep belief in the transformative potential of young people. A passionate advocate for youth participation, Fanny has been a consistent voice for young people—from her days at Njala University to her leadership in civil society. She leads First Fruits with a vision to harness the energy, creativity, and commitment of youth to tackle the pressing challenges facing their communities.
Fanny brings combines her passion and experience, with a strong commitment to inclusive development, inspired daily by the resilience and determination of youth leading change across Sierra Leone.
Involving the children for a Greener Future
First Fruits Sierra Leone empowers children to become environmental stewards and advocates for tree planting and conservation, increase the tree cover in communities across Sierra Leone to combat deforestation and promote biodiversity.
Firts Fruits also educate children about the critical role of trees in mitigating climate change, improving air quality, and supporting wildlife habitats.
Foster a sense of community and collaboration among children through collective tree planting activities.
Ethanol distribution to community people
Empowering Sierra Leone’s youth to spearhead climate initiatives, cultivating a sustainable future through education and community involvement.
Hours
08:00 AM – 05:00 PM
08:00 AM – 05:00 PM
08:00 AM – 05:00 PM
08:00 AM – 05:00 PM
08:00 AM – 05:00 PM
08:00 AM – 02:00 PM
Reach Out to Us Today
Contact First Fruits Sierra Leone for inquiries about our climate initiatives and youth programs.