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 is working to improve the situation faced by young people across the country, many of whom are still traumatised by their experiences in the civil war. Employment and literacy rates for youth in Sierra Leone are amongst the lowest in the world. Some youth have turned to negative coping strategies such as prostitution, crime and drugs to deal with their situation.
Youth have no access to land or financial support and are unable to send their children to school. The civil war destroyed agriculture which was the main source of income for most households. Due to the massive destruction of infrastructure, there are limited opportunities for young people to re-establish themselves.
Village Aid works with SLYEO to increase literacy and secure sustainable livelihoods for young women, the disabled and those with health issues. We also work with YAPAD which is a coalition of youth organisations working towards youth development and empowerment.
SLYEO
SLYEO helped 1800 youths develop literacy skills in 2008. Through the education and learning programmes, more young adults are now able to secure education for their own children and are taking action on issues of local concern. Through the securing livelihoods programme, SLYEO provides skills training in agriculture, such as farming techniques and knowledge about when it’s best to plant crops. In some communities, beneficiaries have reclaimed abandoned diamond mined pits and use them for growing vegetables. SLYEO also trains local people in skills such as tie dye and soap making, therefore creating the opportunity for a new income stream.
SLYEO has developed advocacy and awareness raising campaigns, highlighting sensitive issues affecting women and disabled people. SLYEO trains youth in peace building strategies and conflict resolution. SLYEO has set up a youth focused learning and enterprise programme that empowers young people to negotiate effectively with people in power.
YAPAD
YAPAD helps build the capacity of its member organisations, enabling them to carry out effective work to ensure peace and stability in Sierra Leone. The coalition enables people to come together to discuss and chart the way forward for peace and development. YAPAD do this by creating opportunities for youth, such as access to micro-credit and business management support to set up their own enterprise. YAPAD has enabled young people to speak about their social needs by addressing issues of gender, disability and HIV/AIDS. YAPAD uses its radio broadcasts and music to promote awareness of the issues affecting the youth in Sierra Leone. YAPAD also creates opportunities for young people to engage directly with decision makers at several levels.
Country facts & figures
| Country fact file | |
| Capital | Freetown |
| Gained independence | 27/4/61 |
| Area | 71,740 km2 |
| Population | 6.3 million |
| GDP | $4.921 bn |
| Government | Republic |
| Literacy Rate | 35% |
| Life expectancy | 41 |
| UNHDI position | 179/179 |
