From Conflict to Hope

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​A Call to Business (ACTB), our UK charity, first visited Sierra Leone in 2005, when the country was emerging from a 10-year rebel war. With no electricity, roadblocks across the nation, and widespread poverty, Sierra Leone was and remains among the poorest countries in the world. Yet its people showed resilience, forgiveness, and a readiness to embrace opportunity.

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The First Steps

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In 2005, ACTB founder Paul Szkiler gave two small loans before leaving the country. One failed, but the other grew into an informal microfinance group, sparking the foundation of ACTB Savings & Loans. Today, it is one of Sierra Leone's largest microfinance institutions and the first credit-only organisation licensed to take deposits by the Central Bank.

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Transforming Rogbere

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Alongside business development in the capital, ACTB began work in Rogbere, a rural village lacking basic education, healthcare, and opportunity. Over time, the Foundation has built a school, a home for vulnerable and disabled children, vocational training units, a football academy, feeding and healthcare programmes and an independant living unit. Also based on our 60-acre plot of land and providing employment opportunities to those in the community are two local businesses; Kolat Brick Company and Frontline Chickens.​

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Education and Care

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The Rogbere School of Excellence, opened in 2010, now serves hundreds of students with strong exam results and a focus on equal access for girls. Ro-Seleneh (House of Hope) Home provides dignity and specialised care for over 35 children with disabilities, supported by trained staff and physiotherapists.

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Sustainable Future

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Breaking dependency on outside aid, our local businesses now help fund community programmes, while staff from Truestone Group companies personally contribute each month. With support from the Truestone Group, the long-term goal is for ACTB Foundation's work in Rogbere to be fully funded through sustainable local business.

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