By Brima Sannoh
For over a century, poverty has remained a persistent challenge in Sierra Leone, with rural communities facing the worst of its devastating consequences. In the southern district of Pujehun, the impact is particularly severe. Once known for its rich cultural heritage and vast, breathtaking landscapes, Pujehun today ranks among the poorest districts in Sierra Leone, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Generations have been trapped in a relentless cycle of deprivation, and despite efforts from the government and humanitarian organizations, the scars of poverty remain deep.
In the small village of Mokengie, located in the Kpanga Chiefdom, 80-year-old Jitta Jaiah epitomizes the stark reality of life in Pujehun. A widow and mother of two, she lives in a community of roughly 50 mud houses, seven miles north of Pujehun town. There is no electricity, no running water, and no recreational facilities. Most villagers are subsistence farmers, growing only rice and cassava for survival.
Mrs. Jaiah’s frail health and poverty have left her in a desperate situation. Diagnosed with arthritis five years ago, she struggles to move, relying on a locally carved wooden crutch for support. She recalls how the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels burned down her home during the civil war, forcing her to live in a mud structure built by her son, barely suitable for human habitation. Since her husband’s death over a decade ago, she has depended on her children for survival. But their struggles often mean that they go entire days without food.
In 2021, she was registered under the government’s National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA) Social Safety Net Programme, a World Bank-supported initiative aimed at lifting vulnerable Sierra Leoneans out of poverty. But she never received the assistance she was promised. Her hopes of receiving future support have now faded, leaving her in despair. “I have suffered a lot throughout my life. Sometimes, I even see death as the best option because I see no reason to be alive and continue living in persistent poverty and suffering,” she says, breaking down in tears. Jitta’s story is not unique. 77-year-old Kenawova Sundai, from the nearby village of Gombahun, is another example of the resilience of Pujehun’s people. A local chief for over two decades, his primary occupation is subsistence farming. But with his advancing age, farming has become difficult. His children and community members help cultivate his land, but poor harvests have left them vulnerable to hunger. “This year, in particular, has been very difficult for my family and me. We have no other source of income, so we are only feeding from hand to mouth,” he explains.
The crisis extends beyond individuals. Pujehun, Tonkolili, and Falaba are among Sierra Leone’s poorest districts, with Pujehun home to around 400,000 people spread across 4,105 square kilometres. Most residents live in rural communities of fewer than 2,000 people, relying on small-scale farming. Despite its vast natural resources and fertile lands, the district remains one of the least developed in the country.
Pujehun’s poverty rate stands at a staggering 87%, according to a 2019 study by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI). The report highlights severe and chronic poverty, tracing its origins to the civil war (1991–2002), the 2014 Ebola outbreak, high illiteracy rates, low agricultural yields, and lack of opportunities for young people.
The district’s limited infrastructure exacerbates the problem. There are few paved roads, and healthcare and education services remain inadequate, with most facilities concentrated in Pujehun town. The rainy season is known as the ‘hungry season’, as food becomes scarce. While palm oil production and fishing have provided some economic relief, most young people still struggle to find sustainable livelihoods.
Sierra Leone’s 11-year civil war was driven by many factors, including poor governance, corruption, and lack of opportunities for young people. However widespread poverty played a significant role, making many vulnerable to recruitment by rebel groups. The war deepened the economic crisis, destroying livelihoods and infrastructure.
Since the war’s end in 2002, successive governments have attempted to address poverty through initiatives such as:
The Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) (2005-2007).
The World Bank-funded Social Safety Net Programme (2020-2022).
The Sustainable Cash for Work (CSW) Programme, was implemented by NaCSA in 18 communities across Pujehun. But while these interventions have helped alleviate immediate suffering, they have failed to provide long-term solutions due to poor planning and sustainability issues. Poverty remains deeply entrenched in rural areas, and communities continue to struggle. Civil society groups in Pujehun have been vocal about the government’s failure to provide essential services. Julius George Kamara, Secretary of the District Civil Society Forum for Pujehun, acknowledges the government’s efforts but argues that they have not gone far enough. “You have a district that does not even have enough paved roads or good health facilities. The district headquarters does not have sustainable electricity, let alone the surrounding villages,” he laments. Kamara views poverty as a human rights issue and insists that government intervention must go beyond short-term relief. “For too long, our people have suffered. We recognize that the country faces financial challenges, but that should not be an excuse for citizens to live in abject poverty. With all our mineral resources, fiscal discipline and a genuine fight against corruption would change lives.”
Despite the harsh conditions, the people of Pujehun remain resilient. Their determination to survive, against all odds, is a testament to the human spirit. But without sustained and meaningful intervention, poverty will continue to define life in this district for generations to come.
This story was produced with support from the African Transitional Justice Legacy Fund (ATJLF), through the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG), under the project ‘Engaging Media and Communities to Change the Narrative on Transitional Justice Issues in Sierra Leone.
