These past few days, Aminata, Massah, and I have been visiting the children and carers in the Fig Tree program at their homes and schools. I’ll be sharing more about our experiences soon!

Some visits weren’t easy—many roads were impassable by vehicle, so we parked and walked the rest of the way. What amazed me was how effortlessly the children and their carers navigate these trails, no matter how steep or rugged. For them, it’s simply part of their day.

For us, though, it was a real workout! Walking these hilly tracks under the hot midday sun was exhausting, even though I’m used to walking hills with my dog in Brisbane. Aminata and Massah weren’t too thrilled with the idea either—when I jokingly suggested we race to the top, they weren’t having any of it! 😂

Some of the hills were steep and slippery, making it hard to focus on anything other than putting one foot in front of the other and just breathing. It’s funny how walking up a hill forces you to think, to reflect. For me, it’s always an opportunity to pause and see the bigger picture.

It’s often at the top, when you catch your breath and look out, that you realise the things that seemed so overwhelming suddenly look small from a higher perspective.

This reminded me of how, back home, when life feels overwhelming, I take my dog for a walk up a big hill. At the top, I breathe deeply, and it feels like the most important thing in the world—because, in that moment, it really is. Everything else, all the distractions of life, falls away.

I hope Aminata and Massah found some benefit in walking those trails, too. At the very least, it certainly got our hearts racing! ❤️

- Jane xx

#thefigtreechildren #sierraleone #visitsierraleone ...

For the past twelve days, our incredible in-country team—Aminata, Massah, and Alfred—have been working alongside our CEO, Jane, visiting children and carers in their homes and schools across Sierra Leone. These visits are essential for us to see first-hand the difference the program is making and to ensure we continue to meet the needs of the children in our care.

Although Alfred, our dedicated photographer, was unfortunately involved in a road accident early in the trip (he’s okay, thankfully 🙏🏻), the rest of the team has stepped up, taking on the task of documenting the visits themselves. The photos you see reflect their efforts, capturing moments of connection and progress.

Aminata and Massah have done an outstanding job of leading these visits, ensuring that expectations are managed and that our beneficiaries understand the realities of fundraising and support. Their strong relationships with the carers and children have been key to making this trip both productive and meaningful.

Jane’s role during these visits has been to observe, listen, and learn—seeing the long-term impact of the program on children who have been with us for as long as ten years. It’s a humbling reminder of the hard work that happens on the ground every day.

We’ll be sharing more individual stories soon, but for now, here are a few snapshots from our time with the children and carers. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out—Jane will do her best to answer.

Thank you to our supporters for making this work possible. Your generosity is changing lives 🧡🙏🏻

- The Fig Tree Children team xx

#thefigtreechildren #sierraleone #visitsierraleone ...

Team Fig Tree 🧡

Massive shoutout to Aminata and Massah for the kindness, laughs, and chivalry these last few days! From taking me around to meet the kids and carers, to our wild adventure at Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary —where the rain came down like crazy and we ended up running through the rainforest in ankle-deep water. What a way to end things!

You two have been absolute stars, and I love you both to bits! 🧡

- Jane x

#thefigtreechildren #sierraleone ...

Today was one of those days that truly humbles you. I spent the morning visiting some of our wonderful carers and their children in their schools and homes, all whom are supported through The Fig Tree program. I met one of the carers for the first time today and she shared how she uses part of the monthly allowance we give her to buy ingredients to sell food by the roadside. It’s clear she’s doing an incredible job raising her children, despite how hard life can be. She told me that the little we provide has made a huge difference for them, and I was deeply touched by her words.

Later in the afternoon, back at my accommodation, I received an unexpected knock on the door. It was the same lady, who had traveled all the way from Lumley to bring me a gift—bananas, oranges, and cucumbers. I was completely overwhelmed by her kindness. Despite the challenges she faces, she went out of her way to show such thoughtfulness.

Her gesture left me speechless, and before I could fully process it, she had already gone. I am so deeply grateful for her generosity and her heart. How she knew I love Sierra Leone bananas 🍌, oranges 🍊and cucumbers 🥒 , I’ll never know.

On Sunday, one of the older children in our program also surprised me by travelling two hours by keke to deliver coconuts 🥥 and cucumbers 🥒 too. He knows I love coconut 🥰 — it’s moments like these that remind me how special this community really is. 🥒🍌🍊🥥🧡☺️

- Jane x

#thefigtreechildren #sierraleone ...

The past couple of days in Sierra Leone have been hot, sticky, and full of emotions as we visited the incredible Fig Tree Children and their carers in Goderich and Allentown, both at their schools and in their homes. It’s been exhausting yet heartwarming to see how resilient the children are, thriving in the face of the immense challenges many of them endure. The carers are absolute heroes, caring for these children with love and dedication despite their own difficulties.

One story in particular stays with me: a child in our program who lives with their carer in a single room, sleeping on a mud floor without a mattress. When it rains, water pours in, making the child sick from the damp. It’s heartbreaking to think of any child having to endure such conditions; we’re hopeful that with support we are able to make a difference.

After a long, emotional day, Akash and I found some solace walking along the beach, finishing with a cold beer and chips at Paul’s restaurant and bar on Lakka beach, where we were welcomed with open arms. 😊

Tomorrow, we’re off to Bo Town, a 4-hour drive, to continue our journey, meeting more children and carers in their homes and schools. Onward!

Photos ©️ The Fig Tree Children taken by Alfred Sankoh ...