Activities in Sierra Leone
Our partners
SLYEO (Sierra Leone Youth Empowerment Organisation) and YAPAD (Youth Alliance for Peace and Development) both work with Village Aid to improve the lives of young people in Sierra Leone.
Village Aid started working in Sierra Leone in 1991, and now works in direct partnership with the Sierra Leone Youth Empowerment Organisation (SLYEO) in Tonkolili, Kono and Pujehun districts. Village Aid also works with the Youth Alliance for Peace and Development (YAPAD) - a network of over 50 youth empowerment organisations.
With both of these organisations, Village Aid is working to improve the situation faced by young people across the country, many of whom are severely traumatised by their experiences in the civil war that lasted from 1990 to 2000. Employment and literacy levels for young people in Sierra Leone are amongst the lowest in the world. These problems are now recognised as major obstacles to democratic development in the country.
Country facts & figures
The British Government established a colony in Freetown in 1820, in a bid to resettle many of the freed slaves that were living in London at the time. The settlers established their own communities, and did not integrate with local indigenes, forming an educational and political elite that has continued to dominate politics and major institutions ever since.
There are some positive signs of improvement. A recent election changed both the president and ruling party, and was recognised as being free and fair. The popular music industry has exploded in recent years, with musicians and artists now having far greater freedom to express themselves.
| Country fact file | |
| Country | Sierra Leone |
| Capital | Freetown |
| Gained independence | 27/4/61 |
| Area | 71,740 km2 |
| Population | 5,866,000 |
| GDP | $4.921 bn |
| Government | Republic |
| Motto | Unity, Freedom, Justice |
| Literacy Rate | 35% |
| Life expectancy (m/f) | 38/42 |
| UNHDI position | 177/177 |