All As One

“Every war is a war against children.” — Eglantyne Jebb

After witnessing first-hand the suffering of children during Sierra Leone’s decade-long civil war, All As One’s founder Deanna Wallace decided she could not stand idly by. Founded in 1997, All As One began working in Sierra Leone in the year 2000 at a time when the war was still ripping the country apart. When it finally ended in 2002, Sierra Leone was left with hundreds of thousands of infants and children who had been orphaned or abandoned. Today, it is estimated that more than 340,000 infants and children are still in dire need of care.
 
A dear friend of KABF, Lisa Kinoshita, introduced us to All As One. She serves on the board and felt that the nonprofit was a great fit, saying, “Our work aligns with the values Kelly worked for in her life, supporting social justice and giving a helping hand to some of the most vulnerable people in the world.”

All As One’s Children’s Center opened in Freetown — Sierra Leone’s capital and largest city — in 2001 to provide children with a home, three meals a day, an onsite accredited school, medical care, counseling and, most importantly, a sense of home. Employing only Sierra Leone nationals, they provide the direct care and education children crave. Since its opening, more than 700 children have resided at the Children’s Center. For children who do not need a residence but still need support, All As One offers education and medical care. All As One Academy currently enrolls 160 children and provides them with education taught by teachers from the area as well as lunch and materials free of charge. All As One Medical Clinic keeps children and families healthy.
 
The nonprofit’s mission is to offer a “last chance” to Sierra Leone’s most at-risk children by providing them with “education, health care and other basic needs” with the ultimate goal of “empowering them to develop a healthy nation.” In total, nearly 36,000 Sierra Leonean children have been helped through All As One’s interventions.
 
KABF is proud to support All As One’s work in employing and empowering the people of Sierra Leone. Kelly was a bright light to all who knew her but shone brightest around children. Through organizations that provide love, support, and comfort to children, we honor Kelly and feel her presence.

To learn more about All As One, visit their website.