Now, with generous support from the European Union (EU) and Irish Aid, this storied facility has undergone a significant renovation, breathing new life into its walls and renewed purpose into its mission to deliver dignified, survivor-centred care to vulnerable women and girls across Kenema District and its surrounding communities.

Over the years, the Kenema Rainbo Centre has grown into a trusted institution, offering integrated medical care and psychosocial support under one roof. Recording the second-highest caseload in the Rainbo Initiative network, the centre has walked alongside thousands of survivors, many presenting with the most critical and complex cases of SGBV, bearing witness to their pain and accompanying them on the difficult road toward healing and justice.

SGBV is not a private matter but a public health and human rights crisis, and the spaces where that response is delivered matter as much as the people delivering it. But years of continuous service had taken their toll. Roofing, plumbing, and electrical systems needed urgent attention, consultation rooms had grown overcrowded and worn, and an overstretched reception area created an unwelcoming first impression at precisely the moment it mattered most. For staff, these limitations were not cosmetic; they were operational.

“The centre could still accommodate, but it was somehow small. Survivors can come four or five at a time, and when you allow survivors to sit down together with their relatives, they begin to share stories and compromise. That was a challenge we had to manage every day,” said Hellen Adama Bockarie, Response Supervisor, Kenema Rainbo Centre. 

SGBV prevention and response is not only about programmes and activities, but also about the physical environments in which those services are delivered. Irish Aid, Ireland’s overseas development programme and Rainbo Initiative’s longest-standing donor partner, and the European Union have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to human rights, gender equality, and the protection of the most vulnerable in Sierra Leone. It is through their continued funding support, under the “Strengthening SGBV Prevention and Response Services in Sierra Leone” programme and the “EU/UN Spotlight Initiative,” that the Kenema Centre renovation was made possible: a tangible expression of a partnership that has consistently placed the dignity and well-being of survivors at its core.

A dedicated child-friendly space keeps young children safe and engaged while their mothers receive care. Staff workspaces have also been reorganised to create a more efficient and collaborative environment. 

“The joy is unexplainable. For me to get a bigger space like this, I am so happy. Because now the survivors will sit at the reception, the relatives will sit in the new extension, and everyone gets their own space. That is what they deserve,” said Hellen Adama Bockarie, Response Supervisor, Kenema Rainbo Centre. 

Privacy has been significantly enhanced; survivors can now move through the facility, from reception to medical room to counselling room, without feeling exposed or observed. For many, particularly those who have faced shame, stigma, or disbelief within their own communities, this sense of confidentiality is not a luxury. It is a prerequisite for engagement.

The benefits of the renovation extend beyond the survivor experience; they reach deep into the daily working lives of the multidisciplinary team that makes the Kenema Rainbo Centre function. Medical staff, psychosocial counsellors, and other personnel now operate within a space that better supports the demanding, emotionally intensive work they perform every day.

“Everything is now truly a one-stop centre. We have expanded rooms, a recreational space for children, and a ramp for survivors who use wheelchairs. No matter the number of survivors who come, we are now able to attend to them all, with the privacy, space, and dignity they deserve,” said Bob Lamin, Head of Programmes, Rainbo Initiative.

The Kenema Rainbo Centre has come a long way since its doors first opened in 2004. What began as a response to urgent need has grown for over twenty years into one of Sierra Leone’s most established and trusted spaces for SGBV survivors. Today, thanks to the vision and commitment of Irish Aid and the tireless dedication of Rainbo Initiative’s staff and partners, it enters a new chapter, renewed in form and unwavering in purpose.

For the women, girls, men, and boys who will walk through its doors in the months and years ahead, the renovated centre offers something that no programme document or policy framework can fully capture: a place where they will be received with dignity, supported with skill, and accompanied toward healing with compassion.

Click on the link to read more about our Rainbo Centre services here 

The launch event brought together government officials, development partners, justice sector actors, health professionals, community leaders, and members of the Survivor Solidarity Group (SSG). United by a shared purpose, participants reaffirmed their commitment to ending SGBV and strengthening survivor-centred response systems in Sierra Leone.

In his address, Head of Programmes Bob Lamin underscored the gravity of the crisis, noting that the vast majority of sexual violence cases occur within homes and communities where survivors know their perpetrators. Consequently, he warned that forcing survivors to remain in such environments often deepens trauma and delays recovery.

Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor of Kenema District, Rugiatu S. Koroma, expressed deep appreciation to Rainbo Initiative and its partners for responding to the needs of the region. She also commended the resilience and determination of the women who advocated for the office, emphasizing that poverty must never justify abuse or the neglect of women’s and girls’ rights.

The regional office, which includes a Safe Home in Kenema, represents a significant step forward in expanding access to protection, care, and justice for survivors of SGBV in the southeast. The Safe Home provides a structured environment for protection, dignity, and holistic recovery, reflecting a shared commitment to not only respond to violence but also to create supportive spaces where survivors can heal, rebuild, and reclaim their dignity.

Victor Marcathy of the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs highlighted the longstanding demand for such a facility in the Eastern Region, particularly in Kenema, Kono, and Kailahun. He noted that without Safe Homes, survivors are often placed in temporary or inadequate care arrangements.

In addition, traditional leaders voiced strong support for the initiative. Representing the Paramount Chief, Chief Abdulai observed that beyond immediate protection, the Safe Home plays a crucial role in restoring the pride and dignity of women and girls affected by stigma and social exclusion.

As Rainbo Initiative begins this new chapter in the Southeast, stakeholders remain optimistic that the regional office and Safe Home will serve as a model for survivor-centred care across the country. By combining protection, psychosocial support, and community engagement, the initiative aims to transform the response to SGBV, ensuring that survivors are not only safe but empowered to reclaim their lives with dignity and hope.

On Saturday, December 6, 2025, Rainbo Initiative, a leading organisation in the fight against GBV in Sierra Leone, successfully held a nationwide Survivor Solidarity Sponsored Walk across all 16 districts in the country, as part of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, drawing thousands of participants, partners, community members, and young people in a unified call to end Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). 

The day’s flagship event took place in Freetown, where participants marched from Jui to the Montana Car Park, Lumley Beach Road. The procession passed through major economic and residential areas, including Calaba Town, Wellington, Ferry Junction, Kissy Road, Cotton Tree, Siaka Steven Street, Congo Cross, Wilkinson Road, and Lumley Beach Road. 

Dr. Isata Mahoi, the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs marching together with Daniel Kettor, the Executive Director of Rainbo Initiative.

The walk was formally launched by the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Dr. Isata Mahoi, who stressed the importance of collective action and government protection for women and children.

“Ending SGBV requires strong community ownership and continuous public engagement. This walk is a bold reminder that prevention is everyone’s responsibility,” Dr. Mahoi declared, before releasing an orange balloon to mark the official start of the march.

At the gathering, representatives from partner organisations, donors, and community groups reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening protection mechanisms for survivors and supporting Rainbo Initiative’s essential services.

As the marchers gathered at Montana Car Park for the closing ceremony, the tone shifted from symbolic solidarity to policy advocacy. A major highlight was the presentation of a Position Paper by Kathie Kamara, Vice President of the Survivor Solidarity Group (SSG), to Minister Mahoi.

The paper demanded:

• Responsible reporting of SGBV cases.
• Enhanced survivor-centred services.
• Stronger accountability structures and policy enforcement across all mandated institutions.

Kathie Kamara, Vice President SSG, presenting the position paper to Dr. Mahoi.

The event showcased high-level support from the international community and local civil society. The Board Chair of Rainbo Initiative, Mrs. Margaret Bernard-Jones, joined representatives from the Irish Embassy (Irish Aid), Trócaire, UNFPA, UN Women, SEND Sierra Leone, and Concern for the Development of Disabled Women and Children in delivering messages of solidarity.

Representatives from Rainbo Initiative Federation chapters in Guinea and Liberia were also in attendance, pledging a sub-regional, multi-sectoral approach to ending violence against women and children. The consensus among speakers was clear: collaboration and community education are the only paths to sustainable change.

The Sponsored Walk remains one of Rainbo Initiative’s largest and most visible public engagements. By bridging the gap between survivors, policymakers, and the broader public, the organisation continues to reinforce its mission to provide essential services while advancing national efforts in preventing and advocating against SGBV.