About Us

Domestic Helpers Organization (DHO) is now Informal Workers Organisation (IWO) a women-led organization founded in 2015 by Madam Chelcy Alma Aminata Heroe but formerly launched in July 2017.

Domestic Helpers Organization (DHO) is now Informal Workers Organisation (IWO) a women-led organization founded in 2015 by Madam Chelcy Alma Aminata Heroe but formerly launched in July 2017.

The founder was raised by her mother through informal work as domestic worker and as a result experienced abuses but was unable to seek redress. She was deeply concerned about the poor quality of services rendered by informal workers (Domestic workers) on one hand and equally poor working conditions of the workers on the other. In order to address the situation Madam Heroe decided to set up and registered an Organization aimed at strengthening the capacity of persons to be able to deliver efficient and quality services and at the same time possess the ability to negotiate for improved wages and working conditions.

Domestic Helpers Organization is a registered Local Non-Governmental Organization working to promote the rights dignity and welfare of informal workers especially national and migrant domestic workers through advocacy and capacity building to enhance their livelihood and employability.

DHO interventions focus on addressing labour injustice issues relating to Employment within informal sector for vulnerable youth and women in Sierra Leone. Our trainings are also to provide a cadre of informal workers (domestic workers) in order to create a pool of professionals available to work for individuals and institutions that desire quality and efficient services.

Over the years the apparent marginalization and exclusion of informal workers in policy and decision-making process that affects their lives has attracted DHO’s attention. As a result DHO has been engaged in mainstream advocacy for these deprived groups to increase demand for recognition and inclusion from duty bearers.

Due to pile of complaints received by DHO from informal workers in general the Board Management and staff decided to rebrand DHO to Informal Workers Organisation (IWO) in January 2021.

+23278483573 | +23234592801 OR info@informalworkers.org

SUCCESS STORIES FROM WOMEN WORKING IN THE MALE- DOMINATED TRADES

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SUCCESS STORIES FROM WOMEN WORKING IN THE MALE- DOMINATED TRADES

Theresa Sylvia Wyse didn't have it easy as a woman in a male-dominated trade. Now the CEO and Founder Of Colours Painting Company started her journey working as staff in the formal sector but without a college or university certificate  and later quit the job. She tried her hand at starting a business but it didn't work out and life became challenging.  Later she started cooking for people in nearby homes to sustain her livelihood pay rent provide for her child and still struggled. She was in a dilemma and she needed money for her upkeep.

 However Theresa's turning point came with the help of God. A friend sent her a radio as a birthday gift. She turned on the radio heard a pastor preaching and saw herself directly in the preaching. She started to come closer to God with all the mysteries she had underscored.

To her amazement she went to a lawyer's place and found dozens of paintings in a store. She requested a loan from the lawyer to start her career and met Lamin a like-minded guy who shared her passion for painting. She learned new techniques and styles from the internet that helped her refine her work. When she first decided to pursue her passion for painting she knew it wouldn't be an easy journey.

 She started with five staff and now has over fifty staff including fifteen females. Initially she didn't sell many pieces but never lost hope. She kept painting for free for friends who in turn helped share her work on social media to gain more recognition and earn customers.

 

People told her that it was a difficult field to break into that there was no guarantee of success and that she should consider a more practical profession. Despite the doubts of others Theresa refused to give up on her dream. She continued to paint whenever she could. However as a risk-taker she remained determined to succeed despite countless obstacles and challenges along the way.

Today Theresa is a successful painter who inspires other women to pursue their dreams and break down barriers in male-dominated fields. She continues to create stunning works of art that challenge the status quo and push boundaries proving that anything is possible with determination passion perseverance and directives from God.