Fatu Blake: Leading Change in Gouma
In many rural Sierra Leonean communities, women have very limited space to participate in community decision-making due to strongly held gender norms. Thanks to the leadership of women like Fatu Blake and the Nurturing Opportunities for Women (NOW) program, this is changing.
We’re proud to share Fatu’s story of leadership below, and to hear her share in her own words, please watch the video above!
Fatu is a 33-year-old woman whose determination and vision are helping transform her community of Gouma in Sierra Leone into a place where children and adults are healthy, financially independent, and children have increased access to education.
Fatu’s journey with One Village Partners began when she participated in the Nurturing Opportunities for Women (NOW) program, where she gained valuable skills centered on financial stability, leadership, and community advocacy. Rather than keeping these lessons to herself, Fatu chose to turn learning into action. Today, she serves as the NOW Chairlady of Gouma, guiding and supporting other women as they become more financially stable.
One of Fatu’s first initiatives was to bring women together to form a loan association group. This group was designed to provide financial support in times of need, create opportunities for saving and investment, and foster economic independence for the women involved. Through this group, women in Gouma are building stronger financial foundations individually and together.
Fatu strongly believes in the power of women supporting one another and accomplishing more together. This sense of unity has created a ripple effect, strengthening families and contributing to the overall well-being of the community.
“Whatever women are involved in is more likely to be greater.”
Her leadership has also helped shift long-standing social dynamics. Before the NOW program was introduced, women in Gouma were often excluded from important community discussions and decisions by the men. Today, that reality is changing. Both men and women recognize that communities thrive when women’s voices are heard and valued. Fatu has played a key role in this transformation, encouraging women to speak up, share their ideas, and advocate for the issues that matter most to them.
Fatu has also been instrumental in driving tangible improvements in Gouma. In 2021, she was a strong advocate for the construction of latrines through the Community Action program. This initiative significantly improved sanitation in Gouma, helping to reduce open defecation and lower the risk of diarrheal diseases, particularly among children.
Understanding that long-term development depends on education, Fatu and other women also championed the construction of a school in Gouma. Their vision was clear: investing in children’s education is an investment in the future of the entire community. Now, the children in Gouma have easier access to learning opportunities that can shape their futures.
Fatu Blake’s story is a powerful reminder of what is possible when women are empowered with financial education, training, and the confidence to lead. She is a role model, an advocate, and a catalyst for change. Through her leadership, Gouma is becoming a stronger, healthier, and more inclusive community.