Positive parenting transforms a family’s journey in Sierra Leone.

Boama, Sierra Leone - In the quiet village of Boama Koya, Sierra Leone, 19-year-old Hawanatu Sannoh felt like home was no longer a safe place. Life with her parents had been hard and unforgiving. Beatings, insults, and public humiliation had stripped away any sense of security. Warmth and trust were absent, leaving her to seek solace in the streets.

“I felt like my parents hated me,” Hawanatu recalls, her voice barely above a whisper. “I was so hurt and afraid. I couldn’t take it anymore.”

Life on the streets, however, brought its own hardships. At just 17, Hawanatu became pregnant. The news devastated her family, particularly her mother, Musu. Reflecting on their strained relationship, Musu admits, “Her pregnancy wasn’t something we wanted or planned, but we knew we were the ones who pushed her to this point.”

The harsh reality of how their actions had hurt their daughter was a wake-up call for Musu and her husband.

Through the Positive Parenting programme, she learned about effective communication, empathy, and the importance of creating a supportive home environment.

“When I came home from the sessions, I would share what I learned with my husband,” Musu explains. “We both realized how much we needed to change, not just for Hawanatu, but for all our children.” 

Rebuilding trust with Hawanatu was not immediate. It required patience and consistent effort. Musu and her husband began with small steps; offering heartfelt apologies, listening to her without judgment, and showing genuine care for her well-being. Slowly, Hawanatu began to see the sincerity in their efforts.

“At first, I didn’t believe them,” Hawanatu admits. “But then I saw how they treated me differently. They were kind and supportive. For the first time, I felt like they cared about me.”

By the time she returned home, Hawanatu was seven months pregnant. Despite the challenges ahead, her parents committed to supporting her dreams. They promised to care for her baby so she could return to school and rebuild her life.

“She’s determined, and so are we,” Musu says. “We’ll do whatever it takes to ensure she succeeds.”

The changes in their household extended beyond their relationship with Hawanatu. Her younger siblings, including one with a speech impairment, also began to feel the difference. Musu and her husband, once quick to anger, now approached their children with patience and understanding.

“I used to lose my temper with her because she wouldn’t listen,” Musu says about her youngest daughter. “But now I’ve learned to be patient. I understand her better, and we talk things through instead of shouting.”

The couple also became more attentive to their children’s lives outside the home. “When kids leave for school, so much can happen to them,” Musu explains. “Now, when they come back, we sit and talk. I want to know what’s going on in their world.” 

The Positive Parenting programme did not just transform their household; it turned Musu into an advocate for change in her community. Once known for her strict parenting style, she now encourages other parents to embrace compassion and understanding.

“When I see another parent about to hit their child, I step in,” she says. “I tell them what I’ve learned and how it has changed my family. I don’t want anyone else to go through what we went through.”

In Sierra Leone, 8 out of 10 people have experienced violent discipline in the household (MICS 2017), which has increased by over 20 per cent since 2010. UNICEF has been working with the Ministry of Social Welfare to develop and expand the national Positive Parenting Education Programme (PPEP). Through UNFPA-UNICEF Global Programme to End Child Marriage and Peacebuilding Fund, over 18,000 parents and caregivers have been trained on positive parenting and many have shared that they have seen positive changes in their family as a result.

Hawanatu, now preparing to navigate life as both a young mother and a student, is hopeful about her future. “I never thought my parents would change,” she says, a small smile lighting up her face. “But they did. Now, I feel supported. I feel loved. I’m ready to start over.”

For Musu, the transformation has brought a sense of redemption. “If I could go back in time, I’d do things differently,” she shares. “But I’ve learned that love and patience can heal even the deepest wounds. It’s never too late to change.”

Through determination, education, and the guidance of the Positive Parenting Program, the Sannoh family has found their way back to each other. What was once a story of pain and loss has become one of resilience, forgiveness, and the promise of a brighter future.