Founded in 2023 by Iye Abu, Emmanuel Tamba Johnny and Baindu Kabba Abu, the Rural Resilience Development Foundation was born out of a grassroots commitment to improve the quality of life for rural populations who are often overlooked in development planning. Our founders are community advocates, youth leaders, and sustainability champions who recognize the urgent need to transform rural realities through evidence-based, inclusive, and scalable interventions. Since our inception, we have remained deeply rooted in the communities we serve, listening first, co-creating solutions, and delivering with integrity.
We co-create solutions through participatory workshops, ensuring programs reflect local priorities and traditional knowledge.
Our field research identifies root causes of rural challenges, enabling targeted interventions with measurable impact.
We build local capacity for long-term resilience, creating self-sustaining systems beyond donor cycles.
We bridge grassroots action with institutional expertise to scale impact through strategic alliances.
Iye Abu is the Founder of the Rural Resilience Development Foundation (RRDF), a grassroots organisation dedicated to advancing opportunities and resilience in rural Sierra Leone. Born in Jallon, a small village in Valunia Chiefdom, Bo District, her early experiences with limited access to basic services inspired her dedication to community-led development.
With experience in grassroots mobilization, research, and program leadership, Iye has helped design and implement projects focused on women’s empowerment, youth engagement, and climate resilience. Through RRDF, she continues to drive inclusive solutions that put local voices at the heart of sustainable change
Emmanuel Tamba Johnny is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Rural Resilience Development Foundation (RRDF), a grassroots organisation that advances opportunities and resilience in rural Sierra Leone. He hails from Kono District and holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone.
Emmanuel is skilled in policy analysis, research, and leadership, with a passion for driving community-led development and empowering marginalised populations through inclusive, sustainable approaches.
Baindu Kabba Abu is a Co-founder of RRDF, a visionary leader dedicated to impacting positive change in her community. With a passion for sustainable development and empowerment, Baindu has been instrumental in shaping the foundation’s mission and expanding its impact. Her commitment to inclusive growth and innovative solutions continues to inspire those around her.
