About Us
Unlocking opportunities for women in Sierra Leone
Our mission
Prosper works to prevent poverty and promote sustainable economic development in Sierra Leone and West Africa by equipping individuals with the skills, knowledge and support they need to build small businesses, achieve financial independence and improve their long-term economic wellbeing.
Partners
We work alongside local expert organisations to ensure our approach is effective and suitable to local contexts. We believe that working in partnership with A World Institute for Sustainable Humanity (AWISH) in Sierra Leone is essential to our success.
Partners
We work alongside local expert organisations to ensure our approach is effective and suitable to local contexts. We believe that working in partnership with these organisations is essential to our success.
AWISH
A World Institute for Sustainable Humanity (AWISH) is a close partner of Prosper, since 2023 working in the Kenema District of Sierra Leone’s Eastern Province. Their experienced team of local facilitators played a vital role in co-creating the life-changing training programme we deliver today.
Reseed
Reseed brings deep experience in supporting sustainable livelihoods in Sierra Leone, with a strong focus on long-term, community-led solutions to poverty.
Our partnership began in September 2024, extending Prosper’s training programmes to Marampa Chiefdom in Port Loko District.
Community Outreach
Using innovative image-based training tools, we equip our participants with the skills, knowledge and tools to increase their income from their businesses.
This means they can build prosperous lives for themselves, their families and their communities.
Partner 3
We link participants to services such as finance, agricultural goods and services.
Our Team
CEO
Fred Fenwick
Fred has 10 years’ experience delivering effective training programmes to marginalized communities in West Africa. As COO at Peace Child International, he designed the Prosper training programme and supported over 20,000 individuals with limited formal education to improve their businesses
Programme Director
Rob Giddings
Rob is a committed and passionate international development professional with a track record of implementing innovative women's economic empowerment projects. He was instrumental in devising our image-based training tools, and our savings bank methodology.
Project Manager - Sierra Leone
Alpha Beretay
Alpha has worked alongside our CEO since 2014, helping to establish training cohorts in over 50 communities he partners with the CEO to develop training materials, monitor savings banks success, and reports progress to the board in Sierra Leone.
Facilitator
Nancy Jah
Nancy is one of our most experienced facilitators. As our longest-standing female trainer, Nancy is regularly praised by participants as a role model.
Facilitator
Hassan Sheriff
Hassan joined the team after a varied career, his experience as a radio presenter makes him an engaging and enthusiastic facilitator.
Facilitator
Alie Beretay
Alie started working as a facilitator in 2015. With his breadth of experience leading Prosper's training in a range of communities. He has also played an important role in developing the material for future cohorts.
Facilitator
Bendu Holder
We are delighted to welcome Bendu as our newest facilitator, having been prompted from intern.
Finance Officer
Sellu Beyan
Sellu works closely with the CEO and programme manager, monitoring resources and ensuring prudent financial management.
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Chair of the Board & Trustee
Joanna Mobed
Joanna is a project and export finance specialist with a focus on international energy and infrastructure projects. She has over ten years’ experience working with education and development-focused charities, both in the UK and abroad. Joanna was previously a corporate lawyer at Allen & Overy and Milbank LLP and was President of the Cambridge Union Society.
Treasurer & Trustee
Viji Underwood
Viji is an experienced professional who specialised in commercial banking and credit risk in the Asia Pacific region. Viji has a keen interest in the environment, wild-life, gender and youth development issues.
As a young graduate she worked as a Field Officer on a poverty alleviation programme in Sri Lanka. In recent years in the UK, she worked for WWF/TRAFFIC exploring ways in which to control the illegal trafficking of wildlife and timber by 'following the money’. Viji currently works at UK Export Finance.
Interim Secretary & Trustee
Rory Copeland
Rory is a solicitor who helps financial technology companies to offer innovative services to consumers. He is passionate about helping people in developing countries to save and send money in a safe and reliable way, and is on the editorial team of the Business and Human Rights Review.
Trustee
Adriana Poglia
Adriana is an international development leader with over 13 years' experience in youth economic empowerment and sustainable livelihoods. She currently serves as Head of Social Equity for a corporate foundation.
She brings strong expertise in strategy, governance, and partnerships, with a particular focus on inclusive, locally led development. Adriana served as CEO of Peace Child, the international NGO from which Prosper was established.
Partners
We work alongside local expert organisations to ensure our approach is effective and suitable to local contexts. We believe that working in partnership with A World Institute for Sustainable Humanity (AWISH) in Sierra Leone is essential to our success.
History
Prosper originated as part of Peace Child International, a UK-based charity founded in 1981 which has operated in 183 countries over the past 40 years.
Prosper was established to deliver the Peace Child International programme known as 'Be The Change Academy', which empowered over 16,000 women in Kenya, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea to start businesses between 2011 and 2022. We're proud of our shared legacy with such a long-standing charity
Partners
We work alongside local expert organisations to ensure our approach is effective and suitable to local contexts. We believe that working in partnership with A World Institute for Sustainable Humanity (AWISH) in Sierra Leone is essential to our success.
Patrons
At Prosper, we are deeply grateful for the generous support of our patrons. Their belief in our mission enables us to deliver impactful, community-led programs that transform lives.
Partners
We work alongside local expert organisations to ensure our approach is effective and suitable to local contexts. We believe that working in partnership with A World Institute for Sustainable Humanity (AWISH) in Sierra Leone is essential to our success.
Safeguarding
We believe that it is never acceptable for a child, young person or vulnerable adult to experience abuse of any kind and we recognize our responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children, young people and vulnerable adults by a commitment to a practice that protects them. We recognize that:
• All people, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse
• Some children or vulnerable adults are particularly vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues
• It is essential to work in partnership with children, young people, their parents and carers to protect and promote young people’s welfare
Prosper has zero tolerance of bullying, harassment, abuse and any kind of exploitation of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you have any concerns please contact us at: