Concord Times (Freetown)
Abdul Karim Koroma
22 December 2008
Freetown — Tools for self Reliant, a British charitable trust Friday donated a 20ft container of assorted tools to its partner organizations in the country. The partner organizations include ActionAid International Sierra Leone, Youth in Action Sierra Leone and Independent Youth Forum.
Marie Deen-Nyarkoh, ActionAid's partnership and fund raising coordinator told Concord Times that tools for self reliant is a charity working with artisan groups in deprived communities. She said the charity was provided so that local partners will identify the vulnerable groups and communities that are in dire need of help.
Deen-Nyarkoh said the relationship between ActionAid and Tools for self Reliant started in January 2008. "It was through interfacing between the two organizations that motivated Tools for self Reliant to donate the tools. The tools are meant to empower Sierra Leonean youths in various trades," she said.
She said ActionAid would form a network of all organizations partnering with Tools for self Reliant, adding that other organizations would be incorporated into the network.
"From time to time, the network of institutions would be meeting in a bid to improve on their activities." she said.
Tools for self Reliant partnership and development officer Sarah Ingleby said ActionAid was to implement the project but her organization was supporting ActionAid with funding.Ingleby said the project supports income generating activities and livelihood security activities.
She said some of the tools would be used for blacksmithing and carpentry. "We are also doing training on entrepreneurship and life skills including HIV/AID awareness, sexual reproductive health and human rights.
"The project will last for a year but our partners will report to us in the United Kingdom about the progress of the scheme," she said.
Ingleby said the project would address the needs of youths after years of war and political instability including those with disability, and also those who were affected by the ten year rebel war.
"I am a happy person. I saw the container loaded in the UK and it has now reached its destination which is Sierra Leone."
The partnership and development officer said the tools were donated by members of the public in the UK and they were repaired by volunteers of the organization.
"This is a very positive day for us. I am very happy to see the project moving forward," she said.
Coordinator of Youth in Action Sierra Leone Saa Lamin opined: "I feel happy and challenged because I know those who donated these tools have spirits of helping the poor people of Sierra Leone."
He said the challenge was not only to work hard to break the culture of poverty amongst youths but to work hard not to disappoint those who donated the tools.
"I am happy that we are now in a position to help our less fortunate brothers in Kono in order to acquire practical and entrepreneurship skills," Lamin said.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 Concord Times. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
