Post-war reconstruction

During the civil war between 1991-2002,  two thirds of Sierra Leoneans had to abandon their homes. About 70% of the country’s adult population is illiterate. Teaching literacy skills to adults, and providing vocational education to the youth, we aim to improve the country’s living standards and stabilize the society.

_{When night falls, adults gather to acquire literacy skills after work, . Photo: Mikko Takkunen}

WHAT: Educating local organizations providing  literacy education to the adult populace. Also vocational education to the youth who are socially marginalized by the war.

WHERE: Our offices are located in the city of Bo where the vocational education project for youth is also carried out. The literacy education groups of our partner organizations work in several districts in Sierra Leone.

WHEN: Our work among the returnee communities began in 2003, after the civil war ended.

In the adult literacy education programme and through the materials we hand out, a participatory REFLECT-method is used to ensure  that literacy is learned for the demands of everyday life. This way,  the adults learn concrete ways to improve their  livelihood and the well-being of their families and  the villagers. Finnish Refugee Council's main partner organisation is PAMOJA Sierra Leone. On PAMOJA's web page you can also find some examples of the learner generated materials that are used in the adult literacy programme.

Among the youth, we aim to guarantee that the vocational education we provide helps those marginalized by the war to find jobs and once their education is completed, we support them in their employment.