Food for One to Food for All: Sierra Leone’s Agricultural Sector Finds Itself in Transition

       Sierra Leone is, as many people know, a highly poverty-stricken nation. The percentage of people below the poverty line is over 70%, one of highest in the world. Of course, it doesn’t take a Ph.D to realize that hunger and poverty go hand in hand. Yet, there is bright news for Sierra Leone amidst all this.

            For many decades after achieving independence, Sierra Leone’s agricultural sector has been mainly subsistence. People farm for themselves and their families – they own a small plot of land, and live off the spoils of it, however meager they may be. Any trade that happened happened when a farmer had excess of a certain crop, or felt that she was better served by trading away what she had for something she needed more of.

            The trends lately, however, have followed that Sierra Leoneans are beginning to view farming as a potential business opportunity rather than merely as a tool for survival. Multi-national organizations, independent charities, United Nations subsidiaries and more, are stepping in to help Sierra Leone revitalize its agricultural sector into a potential economic powerhouse for development. These organizations are training farmers in the use of new technology, farming techniques and more to help them increase their yields. They are giving farmers new resources, such as high-yield seeds and advanced farming equipment, among other things.

            While this may seem like pointless charity, it is really a very good thing for Sierra Leone’s national development. Beyond the obvious effect of lessening hunger by increasing yield and crop efficacy, using these tools, farming can quite efficiently become a fantastic economic opportunity for Sierra Leoneans. With a consistent excess of crops, farmers can increase their trade opportunities and kickstart Sierra Leone’s (currently lagging) economy whilst improving their own quality of life. Coalitions and co-ops of farmers could even begin expanding into international markets as many countries on Sierra Leone’s caliber in terms of resources already have.

            Many make the argument for increased science and technology education, to “jump over” the stage of economic development where agriculture is the cornerstone, bring Sierra Leone up to par with other countries and get it ready to compete globally. However, it is this writer’s opinion that one must crawl before you can walk, and having a solid foundation in an agrarian society will aid Sierra Leone in building upon that and developing organically into a service-based economy, such as the one in the United States. To give the economy a steroid shot of technology resources and education before the society is ready to adopt it is ineffectual and damaging. Instead, investing in developing Sierra Leone’s fully capable agricultural sector will jumpstart its progress into a globally competitive economy, with a strong and bulletproof agrarian base upon which to build it.

            In related news, Khadarlis for Sierra Leone has issued a call for help as we look at the prospect of shutting our doors. We are in danger of losing our facility! This organization is 100% dedicated to serving the needs of community members here and abroad, in Sierra Leone, and we would appreciate any and all donations or monthly commitments you can possibly give. We need your support to continue the work we have been doing for the people who need us most! You can donate online through our website at Khadarlis.org/donate or by check or money order mailed

to 99 Academy Avenue, Providence, RI 02908. We appreciate your support to sustain Khadarlis and look forward to your response. Please feel free to contact ashleytyson@khadarlis.org if you have questions or would like additional information.

Marisa N. | Volunteer Blogger

Khadarlis for Sierra Leone

marisa@khadarlis.org

Pen Pal Connection

Recently Team ACE from Bryant University made a connection with three third grade elementary classes from Northern Lincoln Elementary School in Rhode Island. These three classes will write letters to children in Sierra Leone who will write letters back to them. Team ACE put on a presentation to teach the kids about Sierra Leone and how to write pen pal letters. All the students are very excited to communicate with their pen pal! The pen pal connection will help students from both Rhode Island and Sierra Leone to learn about different cultures, traditions, and perspectives!

 A member of Team ACE helping out the students with their letters!

 A rough draft of a letter written by one of the students!

Khadarlis Halloween Party!

On Friday, October 26 Team ACE from Bryant University, who is working with Khadarlis for the fall 2012 semester, put on a Halloween Program for the kids in the neighborhood! There were a bunch of games, activities, and food all of the kids really enjoyed.

 There was decorate your own sugar cookie which the ACE team members helped kids decorate with orange frosting and Halloween themed sprinkles!

Everyone chose a purple or black bat mask to wear for the night!

All the kids really enjoyed playing limbo and musical chairs!

We wrapped up the night with a mummy contest!

A Light Ahead: New Developments in the Quest for Clean Water

            It will not surprise anyone who knows me to learn that I really enjoy getting my news from a variety of different sources. My quest for knowledge is really only complete if I am getting the whole picture, from a range of different perspectives. It was during this daily “quest for knowledge” that I stumbled upon an article, discussing the recent Clinton Global Initiative summit. One thing that stuck out at me was the way former President Clinton highlighted a new partnership, just in its infancy, between the aid organization WorldVision and the consumer giant Procter and Gamble.

            Now of course my first thought was, “What could possibly come out of this to benefit the developing world?” Turns out, P&G has developed water purification packets, tiny powder packs that kill bacteria and parasites, purifying enough drinking water for a whole family with just one packet. As part of this new enterprise, WorldVision is helping to distribute them, a major efficacy roadblock that P&G has struggled with since the product’s invention.

            Critics argue that the partnership will not have as significant an impact as much of the global community anticipates. The P&G packets have been around for about five years now, and of course there is still a major shortage of clean water in Africa. However, what the company so far has lacked has been an effective delivery mechanism. For WorldVision, which already makes many deliveries of food, clothes, etc. to African countries, to add purification packets to its cargo load is no loss on their part. It’s brilliantly simple but brilliantly efficient.

            According to the article (which can be found at http://www.redorbit.com/news/business/1112701745/world-vision-highlighted-at-clinton-global-initiative-for-providing-clean/), WorldVision is going to begin delivering the packets to Chad, Mali, Ghana, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, and of course, our beloved Sierra Leone.  The organization also has programs to help install permanent water and sanitation infrastructure in the countries it services, for long-term solutions. Exciting times ahead in the future of Sierra Leone! For more information on why water sanitation is so critical to the development of a country, see http://khadarlis-change.blogspot.com/2012/06/let-river-flow-signs-of-progress-in.html.

Marisa N. | Volunteer Blogger

Khadarlis for Sierra Leone

marisa@khadarlis.org

Khadarlis' Steady March Towards Community Development in Providence

For a small nonprofit with an ambitious Community  Out reach  and overseas programs in remote villages in Sierra Leone to remain resilient to forge ahead in the interest of vulnerable groups is commendable and deserve help from all well meaning philanthropists and development partners.

Since its inception in 2007, Khadarlis has been there championing the cause of the poor and distressed population in the midst of the global economic trend!

Today, Khadarlis in collaboration with Cross Roads Community Action, East Bay Community Action and Providence Community Action is running a Community Outreach center where provision is made for the homeless in the Providence area supplying them with   beddings, clothing, household items and other assorted items in order to ease stress on those in dire need of help to settle in their new homes.

The development paradigm is such that every segment of society is expected to contribute its own quota of development and the role of nonprofits is crucial in complementing the efforts of government. There is a common adage that "While politicians are there for the power, nonprofits are always there for the people"

Though it is challenging for a young nonprofit like Khadalis to make all the dramatic strides expected of all nonprofits, real success has been very gradual but the impact will be felt immensely in favor of the people we serve.

With regards overseas projects, there has been series of collaborations with local champions on the ground in Sierra Leone and we are optimistic that in the next couple of months, some of those partnerships will fall into place and grants that have been written once approved will go through an implementation phase.

In other words, Khadarlis as a relentless and committed initiative is pleased  to always reach out to readers with updates on every little  progress.

Please visit our website @  http://www.khadarlis.org