We are proud to announce that Future Leaders Initiative SL (FLI-SL) was recently featured by the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC), a global leader in child protection and violence prevention. This important spotlight gave us the chance to share our journey, our work, and our unwavering commitment to ending violence against children in Sierra Leone and beyond.
During the feature, FLI-SL’s Founder and CEO, Ibrahim S. Bangura, and Pro. Lucien Lombardo spoke passionately about:
No Hit Zone , bringing non-violent discipline into schools, homes, and communities in Sierra Leone
Our C2C (Children-2-Children) and P2P (Parents-2-Parents) community support programs that empower children and parents to become advocates for safer, more dignified childhoods.
Our flagship Pens Up Canes Down movement, working to end corporal punishment and promote safe, inclusive learning spaces for all.
Dignity Is Not a Privilege — It’s a Birthright
At FLI-SL, we believe dignity is not reserved for the wealthy or powerful. Dignity cannot be bought. It is the birthright of every child — from the moment they enter this world. Upholding that dignity, protecting it from harm, and nurturing it with care is a responsibility we all share — parents, teachers, community leaders, and society at large.
Violence against children is not just a violation of their rights — it is a theft of their humanity, their trust, and their hope. When we hit a child, we do not teach respect — we teach fear. When we silence their voices, we do not build obedience — we breed resentment.
Today’s children are tomorrow’s caregivers. The way we treat them today shapes how they will care for others — including us — in the future. If we want love, compassion, and respect when we are old and vulnerable, we must model those same values for our children today.
We thank APSAC for recognizing our work and for giving us a platform to amplify this message to hundreds of child protection professionals globally. Together, we are building a future where every child’s dignity is recognized, protected, and celebrated — in Sierra Leone, across Africa, and around the world.
Learn more about our work: https://www.weareflisl.org/ Visit APSAC: https://www.apsac.org
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