The Best Gift Ever

Water could be the most important gift you give this holiday season. Nothing has a greater impact on a person's life. Clean water brings health, education, and the chance for a better tomorrow. Often, it means life itself.

In developing countries like Ethiopia, women spend up to eight hours each day collecting water from dirty sources. This leads to illness, especially for children. A child dies from diarrhea every 20 seconds.

It doesn't have to be this way. Solutions are affordable and readily available. This holiday season, give the gift that saves lives and brings hope. Give good health, give WATER

Grassroots,org Spot light

http://www.grassroots.org/blog/member-spotlight-dreams-sierra-leone

What can your donations DO?

YOUR $5 YES Five dollars can do this much for US.
Enhance a child’s chances for academic success during one school term by providing basic school supplies such as paper, pens, and pencils.

-- Improve health and hygiene of one child by providing a hygiene kit that includes soap, lotion and other hygienic items.

-- Provide materials and training for one backyard garden, which can help meet the nutrition needs of children orphaned by AIDS and their caregivers.


What will your $10 donation DO?
 Save a child’s life by purchasing, delivering and educating a family about the proper use of a mosquito net.

-- Safely deliver immunizations to 150 children by purchasing 150 auto-disable syringes.

-- Stop bouts of dehydration and diarrhea in children by purchasing 150 sachets of oral re hydration salts.

What and the challenges we face.

Around the globe, nearly 1 billion people lack access to water and over 2.5 billion lack access to sanitation. The scope and impact of this crisis are staggering. Illnesses resulting from a lack of safe water kill more children under the age of five than HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. The United Nations has reported that more people die from water- and sanitation-related disease than from all forms of violence, including war.

Beyond loss of life, water poverty and inadequate sanitation cripple all development efforts. A lack of adequate water and sanitation facilities keeps children, especially girls, from attending school. Women spend an average of 3-5 hours each day fetching water, missing out on opportunities to perform other tasks or engage in economically productive activity. Parents miss work due to water-related illness or caring for sick family members. Existing medical conditions, such as HIV/AIDS, are exacerbated because of unsafe water and inadequate sanitation. Climate change, population growth, industrialization and urbanization all threaten to make the global WASH crisis much worse.

Fortunately, there is room for hope. Waterborne illness is preventable and lasting water supply and sanitation solutions exist. Through concerted efforts by governments, corporations, foundations and nongovernmental organizations, roughly 200 million people have gained access to clean water during the past decade. However, even with these efforts, many countries are unlikely to meet the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) for water and even fewer will reach the MDG for sanitation. Unprecedented collaboration between all sectors of society is needed in order to achieve sustainable solutions to this challenge.

Khadarlis's Challenge brings together leading organizations in the water and sanitation sector to address this fundamental issue through partnerships and innovative approaches to water and sanitation.

Water and its importance

The right to clean water has been adopted by the United Nations as a basic human right. Yet how such universal calls for a right to water are understood, negotiated, experienced and struggled over remain key challenges. The Right to Water elucidates how universal calls for rights articulate with local historical geographical contexts, governance, politics and social struggles, thereby highlighting the challenges and the possibilities that exist.

Khadarlis-change: Our Community Needs you.

Khadarlis-change: Our Community Needs you.: Connecting present participle of con·nect (Verb) 1. Bring together or into contact so that a real or notional ...

Our Community Needs you.

Connecting present participle of con·nect (Verb)

1.      Bring together or into contact so that a real or notional link is established. 2.      Join together so as to provide access and communication.

Changing present participle of change (Verb)

1.      Make or become a Different  substance entirely; transform.

Give

To present voluntarily and without expecting compensation; to place in someone's care:  to grant (permission, opportunity, etc.) to someone: Give me a chance. To impart or communicate:

 Khadarlis for Sierra Leone is changing lives and transforming Communities one day at a time with our work in Rural Villages in Sierra Leone.  Don't you want to be a part of it?

 Khadarlis seeks your support right now to help us continue our work in these developing communities! What can you do to help??
-  http://www .khadarlis.org  Donate:  NOW to support positive and lasting change.

 - Spread the word via Facebook, Twitter, and email.
-http://www.Facebook.com/khadarlis  To view more picture of our work visit- and experience these connections and changes for yourself. 

http://www.youtube.com/user/khadarlis1- To view video about Khadarlis.

Thank you.

Water for Life, get involved

Water for Life.  KHADARLIS FOR SIERRA LEONE.

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE, PLEASE TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO READ AND ACT NOW

1)There's a saying, "Water can be without the company of humans but we as humans can only be without water for a few days.

Each day, 4,000 children all over the world die from drinking contaminated water. Do just one thing to fight the crisis.

The importance of clean water and effective sanitation

Access to clean water and effective sanitation has a catalytic effect on many aspects of human development, being essential for a healthy population and environmental sustainability.

The Joint Monitoring Program’s 2010 'Progress on Sanitation and Drinking-Water report' estimated that 2.6 billion people do not have access to hygienic sanitation and almost 900 million people do not have access to safe drinking water. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 88 per cent of diarrhea disease is attributed to unsafe water supply, inadequate sanitation and hygiene. High incidence of vector-borne disease, intestinal disease, and trachoma in developing countries is strongly correlated with unsanitary practices and the absence of nearby sources of safe water.

We are asking for a joint venture with your School to help give clean safe drinking water to children, adult and communities in Rural Sierra Leone, the process is easy really, we can come to your School and give a talk about the importance of Water, YOU can get your student involved by

1.      Gather up their spare change and you could bring clean water to conflict-affected villages in Rural Sierra Leone. That's what elementary school students at St. Rita School in Hamden, CT, did recently, and they raised more than $5,000 for the Clean Water Initiative — enough to drill a well that will supply hundreds of people with water.

2.      You can visit our site and see where your donations will go. http://www.khadarlis.org, Thank you for partnering with khadarlis for Sierra Leone, 99 Academy Ave, Providence RI02908.

Join Us, Let’s Walk Together…

As they say all great journeys begin with a single step, and this past summer when Khadarlis returned to Sierra Leone they took more than a single step towards their goals, they took many steps. Thanks to the dedicated hard work of its supporters and volunteers Khadarlis was able to get closer to its vision of self-sustainability for every village in Sierra Leone.

Khadarlis for Sierra Leone was successful in bringing clean water to communities, building houses, supporting agriculture projects, handing out school supplies, installing solar energy, distributing the contents of a 40 ft. container and making sure every person in the village had a pair of shoes to call their own!

Here’s a brief summary of the work Khadarlis did on their recent trip to Sierra Leone:

·         Built a water well that will service over 400 villagers with clean safe water

·         Built 5 mud/cement houses that will provide shelter for 17 families (thanks to volunteers from Bryant University)

·         Partnered with Sierra Leone Department of Agriculture to participate in the ABC program which involves educating farmers & supplying them with tools and seeds

·         Farmers organizations set up in all four villages

o   Palm oil plantation started with 40 acres – 10 acres in each village

o   Cashew plantation in each village – 6 acres in each village

o   Pilot program with vegetables that was a great success

·         First day of school – every child in each of the village schools received a pen, pencil, & notebook

·         Refurbished the old Jimmi Secondary School Library – painting, shelving, and stocking it with books – this will benefit 5000 students

·         Installed 36 driveway solar lights to light up the pathway in the town centre

·         Distributed container items which included – blankets, clothing, sheets, toys, furniture, mobility tools for the elderly  and over 7000 non-perishable food donations

·         Supplied the Jimmi Clinic with gloves, bedding, sanitary aides, bandages, medications, and gave first aid supplies to the birthing centre for deliveries

·         Partnered with the Jimmi Barbgo World Vision for technology – this enabled Khadarlis to use their office space & internet for free

·         Khadarlis also registered with the Department of Economic Development, Social Welfare, and SLANGO (Sierra Leone Association of Non-governmental Organization)

Khardarlis is only beginning…

We have many more steps to take on this journey towards our goals in Sierra Leone and we invite you to join us!  

Please go to www.khadarlis.org  to see how you can help.

                                           

                                                                                                   - Patti Smith (gypsydiplomat@gmail.com)

Access to Clean, safe drinking water - Khadarlis for Sierra Leone

Access to Clean, safe drinking water - Khadarlis for Sierra Leone

Khadarlis’ continued support in Sierra Leone – supply for the clinic, library, school, … « africanperspectivesblog

Khadarlis’ continued support in Sierra Leone – supply for the clinic, library, school, … « africanperspectivesblog,


Thanks for writing this article about us.

Our Water project on the Ground

What does it feel like to be on-the-ground and in-the-ground?

At Khadarlis we do our own wells with the Help of the communities we serve.

Hand-dug wells are a central feature to our programs.  Community members help dig trenches for water and sanitation lines, and dig the wells.  Men, women, and even older women spend hours digging in the ground to create change.  When community members do their own digging, an authentic sense of ownership of the project develops, and ongoing maintenance, care and security of the water system are easier.
Water Alliance members are the leading water technologies that exist on earth. Often, poor families living in dry, drought-condition, desperate for water, are sitting right on top of a clean water source – it’s just 50 feet below them.
Without drinkable water, anti-retrovirus to combat HIV/AIDS cannot be taken in poor countries.  They need a cup of clean water to take the pills with.  So, how is clean water linked to the fight against HIV?, Infection control, long life and good health.
Cause water have to be clean, safe in other for all these to come together.
With your help, you can spread awareness of our cause,
YOU can donate at http://www.khadarlis.org
You can fundraiser for US and with US.

Water

Does water really matter?

If you say YES, then the next question is yours – what can you do to join and support Khadarlis Sierra Leone  Water Alliance?

You can certainly do your small part to conserve water in your daily use.  But shorter showers won’t really do it, for the global change we’re talking about.
You do have resources, however:

    Your voice
    Your network of friends and colleagues
    Your professional workplace and their resources
    Your financial resources
    Your time
Help us in our efforts.

Aisha Khadar Desince -- IndieGoGo

Aisha Khadar Desince -- IndieGoGo,
We have a fundraiser going on, please show your support

Education has the Power to Raise a Nation, one brick at a time...

It is widely agreed upon that a sure way to 'development' for any nation is through education and Sierra Leone is no exception.  But what if the school in your community is nothing more than a makeshift shack, or a delepatated collapsing building with no desks, no tables, and no books...chances are the floor is made of dirt, and the roof leaks in the rainy season, reducing your classroom to a giant mud pit.  This tragic situation is one of the biggest challenges facing communities across Sierra Leone in providing their children an opportunity to attend school.

The 1991-2002 Civil War left over 1200 schools destroyed across Sierra Leone.  While the past 10 years has seen the government address certain accessibility issues little has been done in terms of rebuilding school infrastructure.   When education is understood as a basic human right like food and shelter it becomes obvious to the observer that in Sierra Leone education is still a privilege.  With over 70% of the country living on less than $1/day and struggling to meet their basic needs, education becomes a mere afterthought.  Often, large families will only have the chance to send some of their children to school and it is usually the boys - this leaves many girls without the ability to go to school.  However, even when these challenges are overcome access to education in a community means very little if there is no proper school for the students to attend.

Knowing this, where can we begin? Well, we can help by building schools and fixing schools.  We can create a space of learning and make universal education possible for the people of Sierra Leone.  Everyone deserves to go to a school they can learn in, be empowered in and develop the skills that will make them our leaders of tomorrow.

Education has the power to raise a Nation and it begins one brick at a time...

Currently, Khadarlis for Sierra Leone is helping re-build two schools in the communities of:

• Jimi - which hosts over 200 students in a run-down school
• Senehun - which hosts over 175 students in a shack

 

For more information or to see how you can help please go to: www.khadarlis.org

Help get clean water to 200 villagers in Sierra Leone after the Blood Diaond war - GlobalGiving

Help get clean water to 200 villagers in Sierra Leone after the Blood Diaond war - GlobalGiving

Sierra Leone: Healing from the Curse of the Blood Diamonds « africanperspectivesblog

Sierra Leone: Healing from the Curse of the Blood Diamonds « africanperspectivesblog

YouTube - Meet Aisha part 1- Khadarlis

YouTube - Meet Aisha part 1- Khadarlis

Sign in on Delicious

Sign in on Delicious

Providence (n):... - Sensibility and Chaos

Providence (n):... - Sensibility and Chaos

See what others are doing to help out Khadarlis for Sierra Leone.

Warwick Beacon - Fire stations are dropoffs for canned goods for Sierra Leone

Warwick Beacon - Fire stations are dropoffs for canned goods for Sierra Leone

A Prayer for Africa

Prayer for guidance.
Please purge our agenda today. Take out of our lives everything and everyone that could possibly take our  focus from you. Take out of our minds every thought, every belief, every intention, every motivation that does not make you the priority in our life. Take out of our hearts every experience, every memory, every desire that does not serve your purpose for our Continent MAMA Africa. Remind us that your plan, your love for us is our salvation.
Today, dear God, I recognize that I have so much to pray for, for our MAMA Africa that I will leave the blessings up to you for you know how much Africa needs you right now lord, we ask that you protect her, love her, even when she can not love herself, we ask that you intervene God and prepare her, courage her and love her like she needs to be loved. Together in prayer there is no other.
For the love and blessing you have shown her, may you lead the way as she discovers herself, make our leaders to lead by example that is Worthy of her.
YOU have said that where more than one come to you in prayer, YOU will surely answer.
For all you are in our lives we thank you. Accept this prayer in your Name ONLY>
Ameen, Amen.

A house that is no longer a home…

From 1991 – 2002 a civil war devastated homes and communities in the once abundant and thriving country of Sierra Leone.  During these 11 years more than 1.2 million people were displaced and over 300, 000 homes were destroyed as a result of the conflict.  Now after more than 10 years of rebuilding many villages are still facing a housing crisis.

Rural communities in Sierra Leone saw the greatest destruction to their homes during the war  - these houses were destroyed systematically and with intent by all those involved in the conflict.  As you travel through the countryside the ghosts of these former homes can be seen & the challenge of rebuilding them still remains.

The primary challenge facing many families is lack of money for rebuilding.  Even the most basic homes without electricity or water – made of local materials, like mud bricks & grass roofs – still require equipment and labour, which is often beyond the financial means of most villagers.  This desperate situation has created an environment where homes have become extremely overcrowded – with large families & extended family members all sharing very limited space.  Most houses that are still standing are in various states of depletion.  Pests such as rats, mice & cockroaches are common problems in the home and so are mosquitoes that have the potential to infect sleeping families with malaria, as the windows do not have proper screens etc. The houses contain little ventilation, are very hot and often with leaky roofs and full of mold.
Without the help of friends and relatives, or a charity or foreign aid agency coming to assist – the housing situation for most rural Sierra Leoneans will continue to deteriorate creating health problems and strain on an ever growing population.

Now imagine being able to help provide a family with a house that has solid walls and space big enough for a growing family, a roof that doesn’t leak in the rainy season, and windows that have screens to keep out mosquitoes that carry malaria - the primary cause of death among infants and children in this region.

But let’s even go one step further and imagine a house that could filter and store rain water providing clean safe water all year round, a house that was outfitted with solar electricity so children could study at night, with an indoor bathroom that is sanitary, safe and pest free - imagine a house built to stay cool by day and keep out mosquitoes by night.

Now let’s go beyond just providing the people houses, let’s imagine giving the people of Sierra Leone a HOME…

 

For more info on how you can help please contact www.khadarlis.org

YouTube - DIAMONDS IN ROUGH

YouTube - DIAMONDS IN ROUGH,


To all our volunteers that worked hard at making this presentation, give a chance, watch and pass it along. Donate if you can http://www.khadarlis.org

YouTube - TippingBucketKhadarlisDEMO

YouTube - TippingBucketKhadarlisDEMO

Khadarlis presentation.avi

Water for villages - Food Security, Jimmi, Sierra Leone

Water for villages - Food Security, Jimmi, Sierra Leone

Today is water Day, let make this a remarkable year, donate to clean, safe, drinking water.

Water is life...

Could you imagine if you had to walk 6 miles just to get clean water --- water to drink, cook, do laundry, clean your home, or take a shower - well that is what many people in rural Sierra Leone have to do, and most often this burden falls upon the woman and children of the community.  These already vulnerable populations are required to travel miles and miles throughout the day carrying heavy loads of water just to meet their basic needs.

Having to spend hours a day collecting water prevents people from taking part in activities that could otherwise help lift them out of this desperate situation - like children going to school - with no education the cycle of poverty is doomed to continue. If there is no water food cannot be grown, and people remain hungry and malnourished.  Without clean available water a multitude of illness’s constantly plague men, woman, and children in these communities -  including typhoid and cholera, just to name a few. 

In a country that sees both a rainy season and a dry season the lack of infrastructure that exists to maintain an adequate supply of fresh water year-round is one of the main factors challenging development.  The simplest measure of providing clean safe accessible drinking water would contribute significantly to a villages overall health and prosperity.  When water is easily available people can concentrate on other tasks - like growing food, going to school , and doing business - if people are sick they cannot work!

Clean safe water is being used and abused all over the world.  Water security is an issue we must all become familiar with, it is not only limited to the villages of Sierra Leone -- but we can begin by bringing our awareness and attention to those most vulnerable,  those whose lives currently depend on it.

A few facts about water...

• 1 in 6 people on planet Earth have no access to safe water - that’s 1 billion people!
• Half the world’s hospital beds are filled with people suffering from water-related illnesses
• 1 in 4 deaths of children under five is linked to poor water & sanitation
• Village’s with access to clean water can see a 50% decrease in infant mortality

*Water is Life*

See http://www.khadarlis.org/ for more information or to see how you can help!

Give Villagers Water for Life

Give Villagers Water for Life

Everyone on this earth deserves clean drinking water.

A call to service

We are seeking volunteers to advocate and join our cause. We are a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to rebuilding and building of villages in Sierra Leone after the Blood Diamond War. We are looking for NGO/NPO student, or social/underdevelopment studies to come intern with our organization.
Khadarlis for Sierra Leone
99 Academy Ave
Providence RI 02908
401-454-6916
http://www.khadarlis.org

Water

No one should go without clean, safe drinking water. At khadarlis we are dedicated to building water wells in Villages in Sierra Leone. These villages are recovering from 11 years of conflict know as the Blood Diamond War. Bringing clean, safe water to villages will allow children to be free from the duties of transporting water for their families needs. Which in turn will give these children a chance at Education. Please visit or site for more information.
Let me present to you Khadarlis for Sierra Leone, please view the links below to get to know Us.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTzssBZdbN4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7mGNBZm31A&NR=1
http://www.khadarlis.org
Aisha Desince
Khadarlis for Sierra Leone
Director

404 - Trust.org

404 - Trust.org

Amazing Women Rock - A Tribute to Darlis Johnson

Amazing Women Rock - A Tribute to Darlis Johnson


As you read this, think of one way you can help someone else without wanting nothing in return, the human spirit has the ability to feel great after you have done something that for someone else, volunteer, collaborate.

Task at hand

I'm struck this morning by the thought that there is so much left undone every day. It can be overwhelming to try to carry that burden - on top of everything else we need to do. It's some small measure of comfort to (at least) believe that others likely carry this same burden. The question is: "Why?"
At the particular moment I surrender to the Power that created me, I leave from this day forth all my actions, reactions to the Man that saw it fit for me to be here and answer my calling.
TO SERVE
TO LEAD by example
To make this world a better place be it in Africa or USA and around the world.

Volunteers Needed

Volunteers Needed

Khadarlis for Sierra Leone is a small independent non-profit dedicated to rebuilding and empowering communities devastated after the conflicts in Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone is a country where 70% of the income comes from farming. Our mission is to help implement programs that will leave villages with agricultural efficiency so they can be self reliant.

We accomplish this by providing basic potable water supply systems, implementing and fostering solar electricity, health education and infection control programs.

Khardalis networks directly with the villagers with a hands on approach. Our initial work focuses on the communities of Jimmi and Senehun

We are looking for Clicker-- to click on our click to donate sites------iGive and good search

Twetters--- to tweet on our behalf

Posters ----- to post on social media sites for our Organization

All work can be done from your home or office.

Rebuilding Sierra Leone

Rebuilding after emergency

Revamping agricultural research in Sierra Leone after civil war

The civil war in Sierra Leone, caused by a mix of political, social, and economic factors, had a huge impact on the overall economy in general and on the performance of the agricultural sector in particular. The agricultural research system of Sierra Leone was severely affected by the civil war. Research infrastructure was destroyed, laboratories were damaged and abandoned, and well-trained researchers and scientists fled from the country. With the cessation of hostilities in 2002, the government of Sierra Leone concentrated its efforts on the resettlement of displaced persons and on social and economic reconstruction. The efforts of the government include the rehabilitation and reorganization of the former National Agricultural Research Coordinating Council (NARCC), which was coordinating agricultural research in Sierra Leone.
The Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI) Act was passed by the parliament of Sierra Leone in 2007 to replace NARCC. As a new organization, SLARI needed to make strategic decisions to guide its operations in order to make it effective in responding to the demands of stakeholders within the food and agriculture system. To provide a focus for SLARI and link its agenda to national development priorities, a strategic plan and operational plan were developed. The methodology used to design the SLARI strategic plan applied an organizational innovation model through which the plan was nested within the strategic plan of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) and Conseil Ouest et Center Africain pour la Recherche et le Développement Agricoles (CORAF) / West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (WECARD), and the operational plan was hinged on Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Program (CAADP) and Framework for African Agricultural Productivity (FAAP) principles. This would ensure synergy with regional and subregional strategies. The strategic plan would promote increased coordination, interaction, interlinkages, partnerships, and networks among the various agents associated with agricultural research for development systems in Sierra Leone. It would also help achieve SLARI’s vision of increasing food security and wealth among Sierra Leone’s rural population.
For SLARI to make a meaningful contribution to agricultural development in Sierra Leone, the operational plan must be implemented in such a way that the results envisaged in the strategic plan can be achieved. This requires funds and commitment from all stakeholders, especially the government of Sierra Leone.

Author: 

Asenso-Okyere, Kwadwo

Workneh, Sindu

Rhodes, Edward

Sutherland, John

Published date: 

2009

Publisher: 

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

Series number: 

869

PDF file: 

ifpridp00869.pd

Sierra Leone

Country profile: Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone, in West Africa, emerged from a decade of civil war in 2002, with the help of Britain, the former colonial power, and a large United Nations peacekeeping mission.

More than 17,000 foreign troops disarmed tens of thousands of rebels and militia fighters. Several years on, the country still faces the challenge of reconstruction.

Overview

• Overview
• Facts
• Leaders
• Media

A lasting feature of the war, in which tens of thousands died, was the atrocities committed by the rebels, whose trademark was to hack off the hands or feet of their victims.

AT-A-GLANCE Politics: Sierra Leone is recovering from a 10-year civil war which ended in 2002; war centred around a power struggle and had a regional dimension Economics: Substantial growth in recent years, but Sierra Leone remains bottom of UN's league for human development Timeline

A UN-backed war crimes court was set up to try those, from both sides, who bear the greatest responsibility for the brutalities. It completed its work at the end of 2009. Its remaining case, the trial of Charles Taylor, continues in The Hague.
Sierra Leone has experienced substantial economic growth in recent years, although poverty and unemployment remain major challenges.
In September 2010, the UN Security Council lifted the last remaining sanctions against Sierra Leone saying the government had fully re-established control over its territory, and former rebel fighters had been disarmed and demobilised.
Economic recovery has been slow partly because the reconstruction needs are so great. Around half of government revenue comes from donors.
The restoration of peace was expected to aid the the country's promotion as a tourist destination in the long term. Sierra Leone boasts miles of unspoilt beaches along its Atlantic coast, and hopes to emulate its neighbour Gambia in attracting tourists.
Sierra Leone is also rich in diamonds and other minerals. The trade in illicit gems, known as "blood diamonds" for their role in funding conflicts, perpetuated the civil war. The government has attempted to crack down on cross-border diamond trafficking.
Sierra Leone has a special significance in the history of the transatlantic slave trade. It was the departure point for thousands of west African captives. The capital, Freetown, was founded as a home for repatriated former slaves in 1787.

Facts

• Overview
• Facts
• Leaders
• Media

• Full name: Republic of Sierra Leone
• Population: 5.7 million (UN, 2009)
• Capital: Freetown
• Area: 71,740 sq km (27,699 sq miles)
• Major languages: English, Krio (Creole language derived from English) and a range of African languages
• Major religions: Islam, Christianity
• Life expectancy: 46 years (men), 49 years (women) (UN)
• Monetary unit: Leone
• Main exports: Diamonds, rutile, cocoa, coffee, fish
• GNI per capita: US $320 (World Bank, 2008)
• Internet domain: .sl
• International dialling code: +232

Leaders

• Overview
• Facts
• Leaders
• Media

President : Ernest Bai Koroma
Ernest Bai Koroma was sworn in as Sierra Leone's new president on 17 September 2007. He won 54.6% of the vote in a run-off with the incumbent vice-president Solomon Berewa.

President Koroma has pledged to fight corruption

Mr Koroma promised zero tolerance on corruption in his inaugural speech. He also said he'd fight against the mismanagement of state resources.
Addressing thousands of cheering supporters, Mr Koroma said: "We know how high your expectations are and that you have suffered for too long."
Mr Koroma's All People's Congress (APC) also won a majority in parliamentary elections held in August 2007.
He was born in northern Makeni in 1953, and is an insurance broker who says he wants to run Sierra Leone like a business concern.
His predecessor Ahmad Tejan Kabbah is credited with bringing in foreign help to rescue the country. Mr Kabbah stepped down in August 2007 after serving two terms in office.

Media

• Overview
• Facts
• Leaders
• Media

Media freedom in Sierra Leone has its limits; media rights monitors say high-level corruption is a taboo topic, with officials using libel laws to target errant journalists.
Challenges facing broadcasters include unreliable power supplies, poor funding and low advertising revenues. There are dozens of radio stations, most of them privately owned.
A national public broadcaster, the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), was formed in April 2010 by a merger of the former state-run broadcaster and a UN radio network.
BBC World Service can be heard on FM in Freetown (94.3), Bo (94.5) and Kenema (95.3). Voice of America and Radio France Internationale broadcast on FM in Freetown.
Dozens of newspapers are published in Freetown, despite low literacy levels. Most of them are privately-run and are often critical of the government.
By June 2009 there were 13,900 internet users, comprising less than 0.5% of the population (Internetworldstats).
The press

• Awoko
• Concord Times
• Standard Times
• Independent Observer
• For di People

Television

• Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) - terrestrial network with limited coverage
• ABC TV - private

Radio

• Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) - national broadcaster
• Radio Democracy 98.1 FM - Freetown station, once the voice of the exiled Kabbah government, regarded as pro-government
• Kiss FM - private station in Bo
• SKYY FM - private station in Freetown
• Capital Radio - private station in Freetown
• Believers Broadcasting Network - Freetown, Christian FM station
• Voice of the Handicapped - founded as an FM station for disabled citizens, but attracts a wider audience

News agency/websites

• Cotton Tree News - news website, operated by NGOs
• Sierra Leone News Agency

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: Local News
In Sierra Leone, Kamakwie Old Students Gears Up for Development
Members of the Kamakwie Wesleyan Old Students Association (KaWOSA) are presently gearing up towards the development of their alma mata, as according to them, the school must regain its past glory. In a meeting held on Saturday 19th February 2011 at the Government Model Secondary School (GMSS) in Freetown, old boys of the school and members of the Wesleyan Church of Sierra Leone pledged to embark on various development projects in the school.Also, past students in various tertiary institutions across the country unanimously agreed to embark on rendering teaching services to present students during holiday breaks. This resolve was reached through the determination of the past students to enhance quality education, motivate pupils and unite the association’s membership.
Feb 23, 2011, 17:02

Women only

"Who do you want your little girl to be when she grows up?”

 

Ines Almeida, founder of 7Wonderlicious, an organisation that focuses on overturning gender stereotypes

 

See more in Almeida's thought-provoking guest blog post here.

 

More interesting stuff on AWR:

11 Recent Headlines That Make My Feminist Blood Boil: will it ever end? Don't answer. That was rhetorical... :P

 

Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep: a simply beautiful poem about life, death and legacy.

 

Jacqueline Novogratz On Inspiring A life Of Immersion: awesome TED talk from a master storyteller.

Amazing role model of the week: Lauren Bacall (Actress/Model), yet another icon (includes three brief, yet fascinating interviews that give insights into her character...)

On the lighter side: 

Sorry, Darling, I Had A Little Accident With The Car... : oops :)

 

Upcoming Go-To UAE Workshops Just for Women:

 

UAE Inspirational Leadership Retreat For Women: a three-day retreat for current and aspiring women leaders, facilitated by two highly-skilled professionals I know personally. Designed by women for women, to reconnect with the power within. Guaranteed to be great. Mar 9 - 12, in Ras Al Khaimah.

 

1,2,3, Speak Easy (For Women): a one-day public speaking workshop for women. Learn how to speak clearly, confidently, and concisely. Facilitated by renowned speaking expert - i.e. ME! Check out my video blurb on the session for a good LOL :) Upcoming Dubai dates: Mar 24, Apr 29, May 28, Jun 23. Early-bird discounts. Unsurpassed value. Really. Hope to see you there. Spread the word.