On the anniversary of the Sierra Leone civil war, which began in Freetown on January 6, 1999, Sierra Leoneans like Zainab Kamara and Frank Coker share their harrowing experiences. The conflict, which ended in 2002, resulted in at least 50,000 deaths and widespread displacement. The Ministry of Social Welfare and Gender and Children's Affairs, led by Minister Isata Kabia, is initiating psycho-social counseling for those still traumatized by the war. Kamara, paralyzed from a sniper's bullet, has founded an organization advocating for the disabled.

In Sierra Leone, schools have reopened after being closed for nine months due to the Ebola crisis. However, a government mandate prevents pregnant girls from attending school, a policy in place since 2010 due to concerns about exam performance and influence on other students. Human rights groups criticize the policy as discriminatory, especially in light of increased sexual violence and transactional sex during the Ebola outbreak. Affected girls express sadness and uncertainty about their future, as they are barred from education and exams.