Computers for Refugee Students in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone, in West Africa, is a country recovering from the effects of a long drawn out civil conflict that has left tens of thousands dead, many maimed for life, and a society in disarray.
As often in such situations, the economy, the weak and the young are the primary casualties. With an average life expectancy around 40 years and a literacy rate around 35%, according to the CIA World Factbook, Sierra Leone arguably falls into the category of the most deserving of all countries for aid and non-governmental intervention.
RESPECT International, along with its partner Peace Pals Education Network, have been active in Sierra Leone in the areas of youth and education. One of the biggest projects envisaged by RESPECT in Sierra Leone is the establishment of a computer center for the benefit of refugee students.
Youth in Sierra Leone face many issues: an economy recovering from a long conflict, the scars of conflict both physical and emotional, and perhaps most important, the uncertainty of the future.
The conflict has left a country that's ranked amongst the poorest in the world and a large unemployed population. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that 8,300 children at refugee camps registered for primary education, but only 58 percent successfully completed the academic year, according to the February 2007 Republic of SIERRA LEONE Humanitarian Country Profile from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
RESPECT hopes to introduce computers, technology assisted learning and access to the internet for displaced and refugee students to enable them to gain valuable life and trade skills as well as gain a window into the outside world.
Linking Sierra Leone youth through the internet would give them a glimpse into the outside world, friendships, and hope for the future that goes with such links.
Alex P. Columbus, the coordinator for RESPECT in Sierra Leone, states that the target beneficiaries for this computer project are the refugees, less privileged youth, internally displaced persons and students of all ages.
Alex spoke to some prospective beneficiaries who had the following comments:
This will help me to be computer literate and be a dream to me
because I have never touched a computer.
— Henry T Musa,
Moyamba town.
It will help me after completion of learning. It will help me to
secure job more easily.
— Samuel Collins Thompson, Moyamba
town.
It will be a great opportunity to me to be able to have access to
computer and I guess this will help me align with the world through
internet access.
— Magdalene Tutu Williams, Taiama Refugee
Camp.
Access to the computer will help me to have friends in other
countries like USA, Canada, Europe, Asia, Austria, South America and
even in Africa.
— Marian Jinah Nyoniyo, Taiama Refugee camp.
Access to a computer will help me grow in mind and also help me do
my school research work more easily and to be able to share ideas with
other friends in other countries.
— Mamusu Tarawali. Calaba
town Freetown.
The proposed computer center in Sierra Leone is to be a reality in the near future. The proof of the pudding as they say will be available after the refugee youth have had a chance at the technology. RESPECT is confident that the comments of the beneficiaries after the fact would highlight the difference it would have made in their lives.