About Us

Safe Place History

The story of Safe Place International Youth Advocacy Network begins with a simple yet urgent observation: young people, especially in vulnerable communities, are facing a crisis that too often goes unnoticed. Mental health struggles, substance abuse, social isolation, and the lack of accessible support systems have become silent battles for many youth in Sierra Leone and across the region. These aren’t just isolated issues they are deeply rooted in social, economic, and structural challenges that continue to deprive young people of the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Safe Place was born out of both frustration and hope frustration with the absence of safe, responsive spaces for youth to talk openly about their mental health or seek help without fear of stigma or judgment; and hope that if young people are given the right tools, support, and platform, they can not only heal but lead change in their communities.
What started as a conversation among concerned youth advocates has grown into a movement …. one that recognizes the power of peer-to-peer support, community-led solutions, and inclusive education. We believe that every young person deserves a space where they are heard, seen, and valued -a safe place. And not just in theory, but in practice. That belief is what drives our work.
Today, Safe Place International Youth Advocacy Network serves as a platform for youth empowerment, mental wellness, drug abuse prevention, and social advocacy. We work at the grassroots level – in schools, communities, and digital spaces reaching young people where they are, and walking with them through their journey toward healing and leadership.
Our approach is deeply personal and unapologetically youth-centered. We understand that real change happens when young people are not treated as passive recipients of help, but as active agents of transformation -for themselves, and for their communities. That’s the heart of Safe Place. We are not just building programs; we are building a movement grounded in empathy, action, and hope.

We Work in More Than 10+ Countries To Battle Drug Abuse and Mental Health

Founder’s Story Of Safe Place International Youth Advocacy

Safe Place International Youth Advocacy Network did not begin in a boardroom or with a major grant. It began in silence … the kind of silence that surrounds a young person struggling with anxiety and depression, unsure of where to turn or whether anyone would understand. It began in the quiet spaces where friends whispered about pain, pressure, addiction, and loneliness, yet felt unable to speak openly. It began with a question: Why don’t we have a safe place to talk about these things?

That question lingered with Aglyn Tennisha Kamara, a young law student, advocate, and survivor of both personal and observed community trauma. Growing up, she witnessed firsthand how many young people-her peers, classmates, even family members – carried heavy burdens that no one talked about. She saw how drug use wasn’t always a choice, but sometimes a desperate escape. She saw how many schools and homes lacked the language and capacity to talk about mental health. And most of all, she saw how young people were being left behind, unheard and unsupported.

What began as informal conversations and community check-ins slowly evolved into something bigger. Aglyn realized that change couldn’t come from waiting -it had to be led by the very people who were living through the challenges. She began organizing safe dialogues, school awareness sessions, and eventually formed a network of young people committed to healing, growth, and leadership.

With that vision, Safe Place International Youth Advocacy Network was born…. not just as an organization, but as a commitment. A commitment to young people who feel lost, voiceless, or stuck in cycles of stigma and silence. A commitment to shift the narrative around mental health and drug use from shame to understanding. A commitment to build a generation that feels safe enough to speak, to rise, and to lead.

Today, Aglyn continues to lead with compassion, courage, and clarity …using both her legal knowledge and lived experience to champion youth mental wellness and drug prevention in Sierra Leone and beyond. Her story, like that of Safe Place itself, is still unfolding – but it’s grounded in one powerful truth: healing is possible, and no one should have to do it alone.

Drug Abuse Free

education for all

woman empowerment

good health

youths

help is our main goal!

Safe Place International Youth Advocacy Network (SPIYAN) is a youth-led non-governmental organization (NGO) in Sierra Leone. Our Mission is to amplify youth voices and strengthen their capacity to become leaders, advocates, and agents of sustainable social transformation—grounded in the principles of justice, equality, dignity, and inclusion.