VISION AND MISSION OF THE NETWORK OF EX-ASYLUM SEEKERS- SIERRA LEONE (NEAS-SL)

The Network of Ex-Asylum Seekers Sierra Leone (NEAS-SL) exists because migration is not only about movement across borders, but about people, dignity, and life after deportation. Our vision and mission are shaped by the vast experiences of Sierra Leoneans who have gone through the asylum process, faced rejection, deportation, and forced deportation, and yet chose to transform their pain into purpose.

Our vision is for a Sierra Leone where deportees and migrants are treated with dignity, compassion, and respect, and where migration decisions are informed, safe, and lawful. NEAS-SL envisions a society in which no deported person or asylum seeker is abandoned or stigmatized, and where deportation is not a dead end but a pathway to healing, reintegration, and contribution to national development. We aspire to a future in which Sierra Leoneans migrate by choice rather than desperation, using legal channels and proper documentation, and where those who are deported are supported to rebuild their lives with confidence and hope.

Our Mission is to save lives and restore dignity by supporting Sierra Leonean deportees through holistic reintegration and psychosocial care, while advocating for humane migration policies and practices. NEAS-SL works directly with ex-asylum seekers to address their immediate needs upon return, including emotional support, counselling, and access to livelihood opportunities. We recognize that forced deportation often comes with deep psychological trauma, social rejection, and economic hardship; therefore, our mission centers on healing the whole person, not just meeting basic survival needs.

At the same time, NEAS-SL is committed to advocacy and prevention. We amplify the voices of ex-asylum seekers in national and international spaces, demanding dignified deportation processes and fair treatment of migrants at all stages of migration. Through community outreach, public education, and engagement with policymakers, we challenge harmful narratives around deportation and promote a rights-based approach to migration governance.

A core part of our mission is to educate young people and potential migrants about safe, legal, and documented migration pathways. By sharing real-life experiences and accurate information, we aim to reduce irregular migration, human trafficking, and avoidable loss of life.

In essence, NEAS-SL’s vision and mission are rooted in solidarity, humanity, and vast experience. We exist to ensure that deportation does not mean rejection, that migration does not cost lives, and that every Sierra Leonean at home or abroad has the right to live with dignity.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the Network of Ex-Asylum Seekers Sierra Leone (NEAS-SL) are guided by the real experiences of Sierra Leoneans who have gone through asylum seeking, deportation, and forced return. As an organization founded by ex-asylum seekers, NEAS-SL does not view migration as just an abstract policy issue, but as a profound human experience characterized by loss, resilience, and the pursuit of dignity. Our aims reflect a comprehensive response to the social, psychological, and economic difficulties faced by deportees, while also recognizing the wider migration context in Sierra Leone.

A primary objective of NEAS-SL is to support the safe, humane, and dignified reintegration of returnees and deportees. Many Sierra Leoneans return home with no preparation, limited resources, and little family or community support. NEAS-SL aims to ensure that deportation is not experienced as punishment or failure, but as the beginning of recovery. Through reception support, reintegration packages, skills training, and livelihood assistance, the organization works to help deportees meet their basic needs and regain economic independence. This objective is rooted in the understanding that economic stability is essential for restoring self-worth and preventing harmful coping mechanisms, including re-migration through dangerous routes.

Closely linked to reintegration is NEAS-SL’s objective to address psychosocial and mental health needs. Deportation often leaves individuals traumatized by detention, rejection, and the loss of dreams built over many years. Feelings of shame, isolation, anger, and hopelessness are common. NEAS-SL seeks to provide psychosocial counselling, peer support, and referral services that allow deportees to process their experiences in a safe and supportive environment. By prioritizing mental and emotional well-being, the organization helps deportees rebuild confidence, reconnect with their families, and actively participate in community life.

Another central objective is advocacy for humane and rights-based migration governance. NEAS-SL aims to amplify the voices of ex-asylum seekers in national, regional, and international spaces where migration policies are shaped. Drawing on firsthand experience, the organization advocates for fair treatment of migrants in detention, transparent asylum procedures, and dignified deportation processes that respect human rights. NEAS-SL also works to engage government institutions, civil society, and international partners to ensure that deportation and reintegration are treated as shared responsibilities rather than individual burdens.

NEAS-SL is equally committed to preventing irregular migration through education and awareness-raising. Many young Sierra Leoneans embark on dangerous journeys due to misinformation, unemployment, and unrealistic expectations about life abroad. One of the organization’s objectives is to provide honest, experience-based information about the risks of irregular migration, human trafficking, and undocumented travel. At the same time, NEAS-SL promotes safe, legal, and documented migration pathways, helping individuals understand the requirements, responsibilities, and limitations of legal travel. This preventive approach aims to reduce avoidable loss of life and long-term trauma.

Reducing stigma and social exclusion of deportees is another key objective. deportees are often labelled as failures or criminals, which deepens their isolation and undermines reintegration efforts. NEAS-SL works to change these narratives by engaging families, communities, traditional leaders, and the media. The organization seeks to promote understanding, acceptance, and reintegration by highlighting deportees as survivors who possess valuable skills, knowledge, and global exposure that can contribute to national development.

NEAS-SL also aims to strengthen the collective voice and capacity of former asylum seekers. By organizing deportees into a network, the organization creates a platform for mutual support, leadership development, and civic engagement. This objective recognizes that empowerment is not only about assistance, but about enabling deportees to speak for themselves, claim their rights, and shape solutions that affect their lives.

In summary, the objectives of NEAS-SL are interconnected and people centered. They seek to save lives, restore dignity, and transform painful migration experiences into opportunities for healing, learning, and positive change. Through reintegration, psychosocial care, advocacy, education, and community engagement, NEAS-SL works toward a more humane, informed, and inclusive migration environment in Sierra Leone, one where deportation does not mean rejection, but the possibility of renewal and hope.

CORE VALUES

The core values of the Network of Ex-Asylum Seekers Sierra Leone (NEAS-SL) are deeply rooted in vast experience, shared struggle, and collective resilience. As an organization founded by former asylum seekers and deportees, our values are not abstract ideals; they are principles shaped by pain, survival, and the determination to ensure that no one else is left behind after deportation.

Human dignity stands at the center of everything we do. NEAS-SL believes that every person, regardless of migration status or outcome, deserves respect and humane treatment. Deportation does not strip individuals of their worth. Our work affirms the dignity of deportees by addressing their needs with compassion, confidentiality, and respect, and by challenging stigma and discrimination within families, communities, and institutions.

Solidarity and peer support define our identity as a network. NEAS-SL was built on the understanding that those who have walked the same path are often best positioned to support one another. We value collective action, mutual aid, and shared responsibility. Through solidarity, we create safe spaces where ex-asylum seekers can speak openly, heal together, and rebuild trust in themselves and society.

Empathy and psychosocial care guide our approach to reintegration. We recognize that forced return often comes with trauma, shame, and emotional distress. NEAS-SL values listening without judgment and responding with care. Our psychosocial support services are grounded in empathy, cultural understanding, and the belief that mental health is as important as economic recovery.

Accountability and integrity shape how we engage with beneficiaries, partners, and the public. As a charitable organization, NEAS-SL is committed to transparency, ethical conduct, and responsible use of resources. We honour the trust placed in us by deportees and stakeholders by acting honestly and remaining accountable to the communities we serve.

Advocacy and justice are core to our mission. NEAS-SL believes in speaking truth to power and amplifying the voices of ex-asylum seekers in migration discourse. We value fairness, human rights, and social justice, and we challenge policies and practices that expose migrants to harm, abuse, or indignity.

Finally, education and prevention guide our forward-looking work. We value knowledge as a tool for empowerment. By promoting safe, legal, and informed migration, NEAS-SL seeks to prevent unnecessary suffering and loss of life.