27/07/2026
CHRIST SALVATION MENNONITE CHURCH SIERRA LEONE. (CSMC-SL) EMPOWERS WOMEN THROUGH TWO-DAYS SEED FARMING AND SAVINGS TRAINING
Newton, Freetown — 25 July 2026: The Christ Salvation Mennonite Church Sierra Leone has concluded a two-day Seed Farming and Savings Training aimed at empowering women with practical knowledge on agriculture, savings, financial management, and economic self-reliance.
The training, held at the Newton Branch of the Christ Salvation Mennonite Church, was organized with support from the Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission (AIIM) and brought together approximately 50 women from the church’s Aberdeen, Six Mile, and Newton Branches, alongside a few women from the surrounding community who were incorporated into the programme.
Over the two days, participants took part in three training sessions each day, covering key areas including the importance of savings, seed farming, financial management, agricultural practices, and the benefits of working together through organized savings and farming groups.
The programme was designed to equip women with practical knowledge and skills that can help them improve their livelihoods, develop sustainable farming activities, strengthen their savings culture, and achieve greater financial stability.
As part of the training, the participants were divided into two groups, leading to the establishment of two separate organizations that will help coordinate their activities, manage their savings, and support their collective farming initiatives as the programme progresses.
Executive members were subsequently selected to lead the respective groups. Rev. Mary M. Bandor was selected to lead the women from the *Aberdeen Branch, while Mrs. Josephine Koroma was selected to lead the women from the Six Mile and Newton Branches.
Speaking during the training, Agnes Bendu, an elder of the church and businesswoman from Aberdeen, described the initiative as timely and beneficial. She said the training had given her a clearer understanding of the importance of savings and how developing a consistent savings culture, alongside farming activities, could contribute to improving the livelihoods of women.
The General Overseer of Christ Salvation Mennonite Church Sierra Leone, Rev. Solomon S. S. Bandor, emphasized the importance of the programme, noting that the initiative is intended to help women within the mission become more financially stable, productive, and self-reliant.
Rev. Bandor further explained that the programme is expected to support women in engaging in *seed farming and other agricultural activities*, while also encouraging them to save and work collectively for the benefit of their families and communities.
He stressed that the initiative goes beyond economic empowerment, noting that it is also intended to help participants *build stronger faith in God, remain committed to Christian values, and become more dedicated to the church and its mission*.
The two-day training concluded with a *group photograph*, with participants expressing enthusiasm and anticipation about the next phase of the programme and the opportunities that the seed farming initiative could create.
The Christ Salvation Mennonite Church Sierra Leone says the programme represents an important step towards promoting agricultural empowerment, financial independence, savings, unity, and spiritual growth among women within the church and the wider community.
Joseph Bangura
Mary Bandor
Martha Josephina Bangura
Francis Nyakeh Bandor
Tayela Mukeh Amara
