THE FORMER CHILD SOLDIER REHABILITATION PROJECT
Where: Freetown and Makeni, Sierra Leone
Local Partner: iEARN Sierra Leone , Centre for Coordination of Youth Activities
Donor: Canada Fund for Africa (CFA), Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Following democratic elections in May 2002, Sierra Leone embarked on a
process of peace building and rehabilitation that has led to a slow but steady
improvement in security, and a further stabilization of the political situation.
Despite these recent improvements, youth in Sierra Leone face scarce economic
opportunities, high unemployment rates, a collapsed education system and the
lack of appropriate skills training programs. Young girls face even greater
challenges. As Sierra Leone continues on the slow path to recovery and
rehabilitation, addressing the unique needs of youth must be a priority if the
country is to avoid the escalating violence and discontent that helped fuel the
previous war. By providing youth with education and training - and by involving them in the post-conflict reconstruction process - the transition to a lasting and prosperous peace in Sierra Leone will be further strengthened.
War Child Canada (WCC) is working in close partnership with iEARN Sierra
Leone and the Centre for Coordination of Youth Activities (CCYA) to provide
former child combatants and other young victims of war with necessary life skills support, encouraging youth participation and mobilization to help them grow into productive, responsible and self-sufficient adults.
Programming activities include IT training; livelihood training in beekeeping, animal husbandry and crop cultivation, and training in HIV/AIDS, human rights, peace building and conflict resolution. Encouraging youth mobilization and engagement is a central theme that runs through all aspects of the overall project. Youth are encouraged to participate in music, dance, art and drama enabling them to express their feelings and experiences and facilitating their rehabilitation.
Quick Background Facts:
- Ravaged by more than 10 years of conflict, Sierra Leone remains the poorest country in the world, with the highest child and maternal mortality rates.
- Rebel forces committed widespread atrocities, namely the maiming and mutilation of thousands of innocent civilians and the conscription of young people into the army.
- A peace agreement was signed between the government and rebel forces in 1999 but the civil war was not officially over until 2002.
See more photographs from War Child Canada’s projects in Sierra Leone.
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