New Hope in Motion: Sierra Leone’s First Physiotherapists Lead the Way

by World Hope International | Sep 22, 2025 | Global Health

On September 8, Sierra Leone didn’t just perfunctorily acknowledge World Physiotherapy Day, it witnessed a healthcare movement. In hospitals, markets and community centers across nine regions, a new generation of leaders stepped forward. They are Sierra Leone’s first locally trained physiotherapists—and they are already transforming lives.

Just two years ago, not a single physiotherapist had graduated from a training program within the country. But in 2023 and 2024, that changed. These trailblazing graduates, now in their internship year, are not only delivering care—they’re raising awareness, shifting mindsets, and planting the seeds for a healthier future.

A Day of Energy, Purpose, and Possibility

From Kenema to Bo, Kono to Freetown, the atmosphere on World Physiotherapy Day 2025 was electric. Music and movement filled hospital corridors as interns from the new physiotherapy program visited wards, talked with patients and caregivers, and shared simple but powerful tips on how to stay active and independent with age.

In public markets and streets, these young professionals took the message even further—distributing flyers, starting conversations, and answering questions. For many people in Sierra Leone, it was their first encounter with a physiotherapist. It was the first time someone explained how exercises, movement therapy, and rehabilitation can restore dignity and reduce pain.

“People saw us and asked, ‘What is physiotherapy?’ And we got to show them,” shared one intern. “We’re not just helping people walk again. We’re helping them live again.”

Reaching the Margins with Compassion

While urban centers held celebrations, rural areas were not forgotten. Teams from World Hope International’s Enable the Children (ETC) program were hard at work in remote communities, delivering physiotherapy care to children with disabilities and training local health workers and caregivers.

This dual approach—celebration in cities and service in villages—ensures that no one is left behind. The impact is especially felt in communities where rehabilitation services have never existed before. Families that once had no support are now beginning to understand the healing power of physiotherapy.

Building Confidence, One Leader at a Time

The success of this nationwide celebration didn’t happen overnight. As a physiotherapy mentor employed under WHI’s ETC program, I worked to gain the support of the Ministry of Health and the Sierra Leone Physiotherapy Association (SLPA). We helped each intern plan and lead their own event—offering guidance behind the scenes while letting them shine in their communities.

It wasn’t just about awareness. It was about ownership. We wanted these new professionals to see themselves as leaders. And they rose to the challenge.

A Turning Point for Health and Hope

For World Hope International, World Physiotherapy Day 2025 was more than a day on the calendar. It was a milestone for locally led sustainable health care. It was a demonstration that with the right training, mentorship, and support, young professionals can drive change in even the most under-resourced health systems.

Most importantly, it was a moment of hope for the future. Because when people learn how to care for their bodies—and when they’re given the tools and support to do so—they thrive.

And when children, elders, and families see a new face in their community—a trained physiotherapist who speaks their language and understands their reality—they don’t just see a clinician. They see a future filled with movement, dignity, and healing.

And this is just the beginning for happier, and healthier, Sierra Leoneans.