The Amputee and War Wounded Association (AWWA) was founded in 2002 to ensure that women, children, and other vulnerable people affected by the civil war have access to the fundamental rights of life, including (but not limited to) adequate livelihood and education. 

The organization was borne out of the need to address the problems caused by the eleven years of civil conflict in Sierra Leone which has shattered the social and community organizations and has left many civilians disabled. 

Throughout the conflict, thousands of people were subjected to serious and unbearable agonies. Children were separated from their families or usual caregivers and many more were abducted and abused by the various fighting forces in diverse and unimaginable ways. The atrocities committed by the different forces involved in the conflict have had unprecedented consequences on the civilian population in the country. Limbs have been cut off, other horrifying mutilations were carried out on defenseless civilians, massacres, torture, rape, killing, and burning of both human and physical structures were widespread.

At the end of the war, Amputees and War wounded became a symbol of the civil conflict and has been added as a new category of persons with disabilities. Due to the intentional and dehumanizing nature surrounding our disabilities, the organization was named Amputees and War Wounded Association. This includes victims of sexual abuse, the wounded, war widows, and war orphans.

The Association affirms the principles of the Domestic Violence Act of 2007 which criminalizes domestic violence in Sierra Leone. A key component of the Amputees and War Wounded approach to gender equality is tackling the issue of gender-based violence (GBV) in our communities of operation as well as within our membership. Our desire is to foster peace, love, and harmony, and to provide livelihood support and educational assistance to members and their children.

More to the Story