It all started in Sierra Leone in 1966, when Mrs Lucretia Gordon, then a Mothers’ Union Worker returned home from a conference in England and established the Girls’ Friendly Society in the Anglican Diocese of Freetown. Since then, the Society has been growing from strength to strength.

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Similar situation that led Elizabeth Townsend to form the GFS presented itself after the civil conflict in Sierra Leone. Religious and social morals among youths declined drastically. Growing up from childhood to maturity in Sierra Leone is not easy anymore because of the complex array of pressure and negative influences which became a worrying concern within the Anglican Diocese of Freetown. 

The boys who will become the future husbands and fathers needed serious attention also. Therefore, in line with its policy of adapting its programmes and activities to the changing needs of society, the Girls’ Friendly Society of Sierra Leone, in 2002, incorporated boys into its membership to help them benefit from the Society’s aims and objectives along with the girls; hence the present “Girls’ and Boys’ Friendly Society of Sierra Leone (GBFS-SL)”. It is believed that the religious and educational programmes conducted will spiritually contribute to transform their mindset and prepare them to take future positions of responsibility in the Church and community. To date, there are 23 active branches within the Anglican Diocese with a total membership of over five hundred. 

The Boys Friendly Society has now separated and become a separate entity but works closely with GFS. 

Further expansion to distant parishes in the Western Area and the Provinces are being hampered by lack of adequate resources, including transportation facilities.

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Contact: 

Diocesan Girls’ Friendly Society, C/o Bishop’s Court, 105 Fourah Bay Road

P O Box 537, Freeetown , Sierra Leone

Ms Hannah Broderick 30, Diocesan President. Email: iyabordavies@yahoo.com