Pearl Dudek Centre (PDC)

The Pearl Dudek Centre (PDC) orphanage in Kono, Sierra Leone has been SLAM’s primary focus since 2006. The orphanage started in response to the needs of children orphaned because of the blood diamond civil war which raged from March 1991 to January 2002. The needs continued to grow because of the Ebola epidemic of 2014 and 2015 when many more children were orphaned. As of 2025 over 40 orphans are receiving food, clothing, shelter, and education because of the generosity of SLAM supporters.

The PDC house mother, Finda Kamara is pictured in the foreground in the photo above.

Below are a few examples of PDC alumni who are currently in college and/or becoming leaders in their post-secondary careers in Sierra Leone.

Abigail is currently studying at the University of Makeni.
Abraham is a professor and head of the public health department at the University of Makeni. He is pictured here receiving a “distinguished alumni” award from his high school. He assists as the liaison between the SLAM committee in Canada and PDC and PDIA in Sierra Leone.
Edward is a lecturer in agriculture at the Kono University of Science and Technology and is consulting with PDC in the development of its school garden and biodigester system.

Jason Dudek travels regularly to Sierra Leone, visits the orphans and collaborates with Finda to ensure an effective and efficient orphanage operation. He is pictured visiting with children at the orphanage in the photos below.