Our Mission
To empower children and youth in Sierra Leone by providing them with opportunities for growth and development
Our Vision
A world where every child, regardless of their background or financial status, has equal access to the resources and support they need to reach their full potential. We believe that education is the key to unlocking a brighter future for all, and it is our mission to make this vision a reality. Through our efforts, we strive to help create a more equitable and sustainable world where all children have the chance to succeed and thrive.
What We Do
The Fig Tree Children has been making a positive impact on the lives of children and youth in Sierra Leone since September 2015. Our efforts provide resources that allow carers to support and educate their children.
The devastating Ebola outbreak compounded the already dire situation faced by the country, which had already been ravaged by a decade-long civil war. The epidemic left an estimated 12,000 children orphaned, with many of them facing exploitation, discrimination, and the threat of human trafficking.
Our efforts are focused on Sierra Leone where we provide support to the sponsored child’s carer and pay school fees directly to the schools their children attend. We believe in providing these young ones with the best possible education and support so that they may overcome their difficult circumstances and reach their full potential.
photo © The Fig Tree Children – a Christmas day trip to River No.2 Beach
Our Story
The Fig Tree Children is a non-profit organisation based in Brisbane, started by Jane Shakespeare in 2015 with the goal of supporting orphaned and vulnerable children and youth in Sierra Leone. Jane’s journey with TFTC began with a trip to Sierra Leone in February 2006, where she sought to understand the impact of microcredit initiatives on women’s lives.
The impact of the ten-year civil war, which ended in 2002, was very apparent. There were many orphans and young people displaced, living on the streets and in need of care and support.
Many of these children were taken in by extended family members, friends, or members of their communities who opened their homes and hearts to these displaced children, despite the challenges these carers faced in providing for their own families.
With Peter’s support, Jane established The Fig Tree Children, with a focus on supporting these carers and providing the children in their care with access to education and a brighter future. The organisation continues to work towards this goal, striving to give children the opportunity to succeed and thrive.
Photo ©️ The Fig Tree Children: Jane in Funkia Town, Sierra Leone at a workshop run by Dr Greg Mews from University of the Sunshine Coast, Dreamtown and Youth Dream Centre, Nov 2022
Different ways you can help
Give a child an opportunity today
Become a supporter of an orphaned or vulnerable child or youth in Sierra Leone today. For just AUD$53 per month, you can provide a world of opportunity and support. Your contribution will cover their school fees, and provide them with all the necessary materials, including a uniform, backpack, books, writing utensils, shoes, and more. Additionally, your support will also provide monthly assistance to the child’s carer.
Beyond the classroom, these children also benefit from opportunities to socialise and play with their peers through organised outings and activities. Our programs also extend a helping hand by providing essential items, such as comfortable bedding, insecticide-treated mosquito nets, necessary medical supplies, food, clothing, hygiene kits, radios for remote learning, sanitary products, Veronika buckets, etc.
Buy one girl a year's supply of Sanitary Pads
Help us provide a girl in Sierra Leone with a year's worth of sanitary pads, either reusable or disposable depending on her preference and situation, for just $30 AUD ($17 GBP).
Unfortunately, many girls in Sierra Leone can't afford sanitary pads and have to resort to using scraps of cloth, called "pieces", which can lead to unreliable and unsanitary conditions during their menstrual cycles.
The Fig Tree Ambassador Programme
Become a Fig Tree Ambassador by making a regular donation. Monthly donations are so important to us – and so deeply appreciated. Those crucial regular contributions, no matter how small, allow us to plan our work with greater certainty. Our three Ambassador levels are:
$10 AUD per month – Bronze
$15 AUD per month – Silver
$25 AUD per month – Gold
Our Target: 100 Ambassadors!
Emergency Medical Fund
When illness strikes children or their guardians, we aim to offer support. Our goal is to ensure they receive proper medical attention from a qualified healthcare professional, covering the costs of any necessary treatments or medications. A recent example of this support was when a child was burned in a pot of boiling water. Our in-country program manager worked with Fig Tree Children Funding to secure the medical attention the child needed and they are now recovering well. Another case involved a boy who required an appendix removal surgery, which was funded by donors of The Fig Tree Children.
Become a Volunteer Today
Have you ever wanted to directly make a difference and give an opportunity to a child living in one of the poorest countries in the world but can’t commit to donating financially? Volunteering your time to help The Fig Tree Children is another way you can make a real difference. Contact us to find out more.
We’ve Raised Over $400,000
85% of funds raised are for the direct benefit of the children in the Fig Tree programme. We pay school fees directly to the school each of the children attends, buy school materials (uniform, shoes, bag, books, pens, pencils, etc) and give the child’s carer a monthly allowance to help them provide for the child in their care.
No donation is too small
We are currently providing opportunities for 84 children and youth in Sierra Leone
These children are located in Allentown, Freetown, Bo, Makeni, Newton, Waterloo and Kenema. We want to be able to reach out to children who are living even more remotely. Unfortunately, at this time, our resources do not allow us to travel further afield than we already do.
Photo ©️ The Fig Tree Children: one of our beneficiaries in school
Our blog
Research and experiences from our work in Sierra Leone
The Fig Tree Giving Guide 2024
Make gift-giving meaningful: With gifts that show you careIntroducing our 2024 Giving Guide! Finding the perfect gift can be challenging, especially for those who seem to have everything. That's where The Giving Guide comes in. Discover a selection...
The Giving Guide 2021
Make gift-giving meaningful: With gifts that show you careIt can be so hard to think of good present ideas – especially for someone that seems to have it all! That’s why we’ve put together The Giving Guide. The Giving Guide highlights just a few of...
Capabilities Approach
Work from development economists can be difficult for any layman to remember, particularly because there is still so much unnecessary poverty and suffering in this world. There is, however, the theory entitled The Capabilities Approach that,...
Freetown Landslide
A lot can happen in three years, especially in the eyes of a child. In Freetown, this is an understatement. On the 14 of August 2017 the citizens of Freetown had experienced the impacts of a devastating landslide that left over 1,000 people dead or...
A day in the life of Christiana
Christiana*Let’s spend a day with Christiana. Christiana lives with her father and brother, Peter. Her father had to stay at home to care for Peter after his son got sick, and as a result, he lost his job as a driver. His wife (the children’s...
World Children’s Day
Encourage Change this World Children’s Day: November 20, 2020November 20 is a significant historical date for children, their wellbeing and safety worldwide. With the UN General Assembly adopting both the Declaration of the Rights of the Child and...
Partners
Corporate Sponsors
Let’s embody this sentiment and be the change we wish to see. Join us in spreading kindness, hope, and opportunity to the children of Sierra Leone. Become a sponsor or an Ambassador today and make a lasting impact on a child’s life. 💞
Click the link in our bio to learn more!
#BeTheGood #ProvidingOpportunity #sponsorachild
Hi everyone, we’re reaching out to see if you might be able to lend a hand in spreading the word about our campaign. We’re aiming to treat 85 orphaned kids from our programme and 35 children from St. Mary’s children’s home to a day at the beach. It’s an annual tradition we cherish, but this year, we’re facing some challenges in raising the necessary funds. With just a few days left, we’re reaching out to everyone for support. If you could share our caus with anyone you think might be interested in contributing, it would mean the world to us. Here’s the link:
https://chuffed.org/project/independence-day-at-the-beach-for-orphaned-children
No pressure at all, but any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! 🙏🏻🧡
Our mission is to provide opportunities for orphaned and vulnerable children and youth in Sierra Leone, and while we may not be able to make a difference for every child, we believe that each opportunity we provide creates a ripple effect. 💫
Join us in making a tangible difference in the lives of children in Sierra Leone! 💖 Become a sponsor or an Ambassador today and help provide vital resources, education, and opportunities to these amazing and resilient young people.
Let’s provide these children with the tools they need to reach their full potential and create a brighter future for them, their families and their communities. Click the link in our bio to find out more! ✨
#ProvidingOpportunities #MakeADifference #SponsorshipOpportunity #BecomeaSponsor #becomeanambassador
Reflecting on my unforgettable journeys to Sierra Leone. This was November 2016, when I met up with our amazing team, visited the children, and witnessed firsthand the impact of your support. 🌍💕
From heartfelt conversations to joyful moments with the children, every experience reaffirmed our mission at The Fig Tree Children. Education truly is the key to unlocking boundless potential, and thanks to your generosity, these children are thriving. 📚✨
#SierraLeone #OpportunityForAll #EducationForAll #TheFigTreeChildren
At The Fig Tree Children, we believe in the transformative power of giving. Anne Frank reminds us that generosity enriches our souls and uplifts those in need. Join us in our mission to empower every child in Sierra Leone, because together, we can make a world where kindness knows no bounds. 💚
Click the link in bio. ✨
#EducationisKey #MakeADifference #GiveBack #TheFigTreeChildren
A heartwarming moment with Amina*, one of the many amazing children whose lives we’ve touched at The Fig Tree Children. From supporting her education to aiding her recovery after a tragic accident, every step of her journey reminds us of the impact of your support.
With your help, we’ve seen Amina* blossom into a resilient, bright young student. 🌟 Let’s continue to make these stories possible.
Help us provide an opportunity for another child like Amina* today. 💙
*Pseudonym used
#Impact #EducationForAll #thefigtreechildren
Every act of kindness towards any child is not just a momentary gesture, but a profound investment in the future. 🌱 They are the architects of tomorrow, carrying within them the seeds of love and compassion that can transform the world. 💖 Let`s nurture their potential with kindness, for they hold the power to create a future filled with brightness and hope. #KindnessIsInvestment #ChildrenAreTheFuture #TheFigTreeChildren
Join us in making dreams come true for Sierra Leone’s Independence Day on 27th April! We’re on a mission to send 120 kids from the Fig Tree programme and also from St. Mary’s Children’s Home to River No. 2 beach for an unforgettable day of fun and laughter 🏖️ These annual days out mean so much to these kids and is great for their health and wellbeing 🧡 The photos are from just over a year ago when we last took them to the beach. They always have the best time!
Your support will help cover transportation, beach access, lunch, a few beach toys and more, ensuring every child gets to experience the joy of the beach. Help us give these children a day they’ll cherish forever.
Donate now to make a splash in their lives! 🌊 Click the link below.
https://chuffed.org/project/independence-day-at-the-beach-for-orphaned-children
#beachdayforall #sierraleoneindependenceday #makingmemories #thefigtreechildren
Get in Touch. Get Involved.
Please contact us using the contact methods below. Thank you
PO Box 736, Paddington Queensland 4064
Call Us: +61 431 895 733
REGISTERED CHARITY
SECURE SITE
We acknowledge the First Nations People of Australia as the custodians and traditional owners of the land from which we advocate for improving access to quality education for and providing opportunities for orphaned and vulnerable children and youths (male and female) in Sierra Leone. We pay our respect to Indigenous Elders, past, present and emerging, and acknowledge and uphold their continuing relationship to this land. This is, was and always will be Aboriginal land.