Joe and Sarah’s journey from recovery at Providence Projects to founding a rehab centre in Sierra Leone

Joe and Sarah Boxall’s journey began with a difficult ultimatum that would eventually change the course of their lives.

Caught in the grip of a 25-year battle with addiction, Joe faced a choice – seek help or lose his partner Sarah. His addiction, which began at the age of 13, had spiralled from party drugs to crack cocaine and heroin, plunging him into cycles of fleeting recovery and devastating relapses. 

The toll was significant, affecting his relationships, his stability, and his future. But Providence Projects offered Joe a lifeline, becoming a place of healing and transformation that would set him and Sarah on an extraordinary path.

At Providence Projects, Joe found the structure and space he needed to confront his addiction. The journey was not easy, but the centre’s supportive environment allowed him to focus on recovery in a way he had never been able to before. 

“We felt like we had to do something, because there’s a lack of services, a lack of resources, a lack of funding, a lack of knowledge.” – Sarah Boxall, Spark2Action

During this time, Joe and Sarah became aware of another, equally devastating issue in Sierra Leone – addiction. 

They discovered that the only available 12-step meetings were held in a mental health hospital where people were chained to beds. The lack of dedicated addiction support was alarming. 

People, including young children, were becoming addicted to a synthetic drug known as kush, a highly addictive substance often mixed with crushed human bones. This destructive drug was wreaking havoc on entire communities, leading to school closures and leaving villages filled with people incapacitated by addiction. 

The desperate conditions they witnessed ignited a new calling in Joe and Sarah. Together, they embarked a mission to establish an addiction recovery programme in Sierra Leone that would bring dignity and hope to those in need.

Motivated by their experiences and driven by a commitment to bring meaningful change, Joe and Sarah began laying the groundwork for a rehab centre. They drew upon their experiences at Providence Projects, hoping to replicate its model of care and structure within the unique cultural context of Sierra Leone. 

With the help of David Cross, a trained professional experienced in adapting 12-step programmes for African communities, Joe and Sarah organised seminars and training sessions to educate local people about addiction. 

In one particular community meeting that drew hundreds of people affected by kush, Joe shared his personal story of addiction and recovery, illustrating that transformation was possible, offering hope to those struggling with similar battles.

However, despite the promising progress they made, Joe and Sarah faced some pretty tough challenges. 

Addiction treatment in Sierra Leone is severely under-resourced, with only a handful of trained mental health professionals and a reliance on traditional “cleansing” practices that often involve fasting and isolation. 

During a visit to one supposed rehab facility, Joe and Sarah were horrified to find individuals chained together in cramped, unsanitary conditions. Yet, to their surprise, many of these individuals expressed relief, as even such harsh confinement provided a kind of care that was otherwise unavailable. 

For Joe and Sarah, this highlighted the serious need for a compassionate, evidence-based approach to addiction treatment that also respects human dignity.

 

With a 30-acre farm donated to them and an initial fund for restoration, Joe and Sarah set to work building their own rehabilitation centre. They collaborated with the Sierra Leonean government, advocating for modern, humane care practices. They also sought to introduce best practices from the UK, aiming to develop a place where individuals could find both physical recovery and emotional support.

In addition to the rehab centre, Joe and Sarah are working to establish 12-step groups throughout the country, empowering individuals to continue their recovery journeys independently after leaving formal treatment.

Their vision extends beyond addiction recovery. They are building a complete support system that includes training local social workers to facilitate community meetings, teaching best practices, and providing a framework for individuals to rebuild their lives. 

“We want to see the miracle happen like Providence Projects—a routine of people coming for a time so they get an opportunity, another crack at life, restoring hope and dignity at the same time.” – Joe Boxall, Spark2Action

Joe and Sarah want to create a place where people can find not only sobriety but also hope, dignity, and the tools to rebuild their lives. Their work speaks to the power of recovery and compassion, offering hope to a nation grappling with poverty and addiction.

Today, Joe and Sarah are looking for financial backing and skilled volunteers willing to contribute their expertise to make the centre a reality. Through the power of community, they believe they can build a place of healing and change that will echo far beyond Sierra Leone.

If you want to help Joe and Sarah, visit www.spark2action.org

“We are all incredibly proud of Joe and his wife Sarah for the work they are carrying out in Sierra Leone. Not only has Joe turned his life around after coming to us several years ago, he has gone on to create something very special. We just love it when our clients get inspired and pass it on. The magic of recovery!” – Paul Spanjar, CEO of Providence Projects