Sudu: Creating Loving Homes for Vulnerable Children

At Sudu, our mission is rooted in the belief that every child deserves a loving, supportive home. The word “Sudu,” meaning “home” in the Fulani language, reflects our deep commitment to placing orphaned and displaced children into safe and nurturing families, especially in regions like Sierra Leone, where formal foster care systems are scarce or nonexistent.

The Issue: The “Men Pekin” Culture and Informal Foster Care
In Sierra Leone, the concept of informal fostering, known as the “men pekin” culture, has long been part of the social fabric. In this system, relatives, friends, or even community members take in children who are not their own. While this tradition shows the community’s willingness to care for vulnerable children, it lacks the accountability and structure needed to ensure the well-being of the child. Many caregivers are unprepared to deal with the unique emotional and psychological needs of a child who may be experiencing trauma or loss.

How Sudu is Different
Sudu aims to address these gaps through a comprehensive child placement program that prioritizes the safety, emotional health, and long-term stability of both the children and the families involved. We begin by engaging with communities, building relationships with local leaders, and gaining a deep understanding of the social and cultural landscape. Only then do we begin our structured family-finding process, ensuring that potential foster parents are ready and committed to providing the care these children need.

With our own specialized curriculum, Sudu assists families by training them on social-emotional development of children. The training that Sudu provides is not only important for the parents to feel prepared for the new addition to their family, but that the child feels integrated into the community. Our existing program focuses on training and development of potential parents and placement of children between ages 3-6 years—the most critical developmental ages.

Our 3-Phase Child Placement Program

Phase 1: Community Engagement & Family Identification
Before entering a new community, Sudu conducts a detailed community landscape assessment. We work closely with key leaders and residents to explain our mission and to gain consent for our initiatives. Once a foundation of trust is established, we begin identifying potential foster families through interest intakes, Family Engagement events, and a thorough vetting process that includes background and reference checks.

Phase 2: Family Integration & Placement
Once suitable families are identified, children are placed in homes with no more than five family members. This ensures the child can receive adequate attention and care. These families are not only providing a safe space for a child to live but are also prepared to nurture the child emotionally, socially, and educationally.

Phase 3: Ongoing Support and Monitoring
Sudu doesn’t stop at placement. Our team continues to monitor each family closely, ensuring both the child and the family are thriving. This includes quarterly check-ins and training sessions to ensure the family dynamic remains strong and that the child’s emotional and developmental needs are met.

We envision a Sierra Leone where every orphaned and displaced child will be welcomed into loving homes that enable them to live physically and emotionally healthy lives and gain equal access to a high quality education.