Every rainy season, the residents of Susan’s Bay, Kroo Bay, and Dwarzak in Freetown, Sierra Leone, brace themselves for the threat of devastating floods. Clogged waterways, inadequate sanitation, and the challenges of urban poverty have made these neighborhoods especially vulnerable. In July 2025, a new chapter began as the Tzu Chi Foundation, in partnership with Caritas Freetown, Lanyi Foundation, Harley Foundation, the Freetown City Council, and the National Disaster Management Committee, launched a six-day flood mitigation campaign that brought hope, unity, and practical change to these communities.
A United Effort for Safer Neighborhoods
The campaign was designed and coordinated by Tzu Chi Foundation, which provided cleaning equipment such as raincoats, boots, gloves, shovels, rakes, and wheelbarrows. These tools enabled residents and volunteers to tackle the most problematic drainage systems and open fields, many of which had been blocked for years by garbage, silt, and even human waste. The cleanup targeted critical areas in all three communities, focusing on restoring the free flow of water and reducing the risk of mosquito-borne diseases and other health hazards.
The initiative was not just about cleaning; it was about empowering residents to take ownership of their environment. Tzu Chi volunteers worked side by side with local men and women, as well as staff from partner organizations. The campaign quickly gained momentum, with the number of community volunteers growing each day as word spread and neighbors saw the tangible results of their collective effort.
Volunteers work together to remove garbage and unclog various drains and various critical parts of the community. Many members of the community also joined in to help. | Photos: Tzu Chi Sierra Leone
Education and Awareness: Building Lasting Change
Beyond the physical cleanup, Tzu Chi and its partners placed a strong emphasis on education and awareness. Volunteers walked through the community using megaphones to share messages about disaster preparedness, proper waste disposal, and the importance of hygiene. These efforts reached not only those directly involved in the cleanup but also residents throughout the neighborhoods, encouraging everyone to play a role in preventing future floods and disease outbreaks.
Community leaders and disaster management committees were actively involved in identifying the most urgent problem areas and mobilizing their neighbors. Their participation helped foster a sense of pride and responsibility, ensuring that the improvements made during the campaign would be sustained long after the cleanup ended.
Support and Motivation for Volunteers
Recognizing the hard work and dedication of the volunteers, Tzu Chi provided nutritious lunches each day, serving as both a practical support and a gesture of appreciation. This daily meal became a time for volunteers to rest, connect, and share their experiences, further strengthening the bonds within the community.
The campaign also included fumigation of cleaned areas to reduce the risk of pest-related diseases, an important step in creating a healthier environment for all residents.
LEFT: Volunteers and the community gathered for lunch for each day of the clean up. RIGHT: After clearing up the drains and gutters, the entire area is also fumigated to reduce spread of diseases. | Photos: Tzu Chi Sierra Leone
Tangible Results and Renewed Hope
Over the course of the campaign, hundreds of residents participated, and dozens of truckloads of garbage were removed from the neighborhoods. In total, the cleanup mobilized around 1,000 volunteer shifts in total, reflecting the dedication and unity of the communities. By the end of the campaign, at around 50 truckloads of garbage had been cleared from the streets and drainage systems, dramatically improving the environment and reducing the risk of flooding and waterborne diseases.
The once-blocked gutters and waterways now allow rainwater to flow freely, significantly reducing the risk of flooding and waterborne diseases. Residents expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work together and for the support provided by Tzu Chi and its partners.
From clogged up drains filled with garbage, shovel by shovel, volunteers managed to clear it all way, and allow water to flow again. | Photos: Tzu Chi Sierra Leone
One resident, Ibrahim from Kroo Bay, shared, “We suffered for years because of this blocked gutter. Today, I wanted to be part of the change. Now, we can see the water flowing again, and we feel safer.”
The collaborative spirit and practical achievements of this campaign have inspired many to continue caring for their environment and to remain vigilant against future risks. The partnership between Tzu Chi, local organizations, and the residents of Susan’s Bay, Kroo Bay, and Dwarzak stands as a model for community-driven disaster prevention and resilience.
