The annual population growth rate of Sierra Leone is estimated at 2.3%. In 2001 the mid-year population was estimated at 5.12 million. Sierra Leone has a predominantly youthful population, with persons less than 15 years of age accounting for about 45% of its total population. The female population is estimated at about 51%. This demographic strength is, however, not reflected in social, economic and political advantage for women and young people in both urban and rural settings. Many youth have limited or no literacy, and are therefore unsuited for employment. Furthermore, most people in this population lack even basic business skills including marketing, management, business development, cash flow management and ICT. Often, it is just due to limited life experience and not lack of ability. The formal job market in West Africa and Sierra Leone in particular is limited, leaving low-paying and dangerous work for youth. Girls in particular fail to complete even six years of primary education and often find themselves vulnerable to sexual abuse after finding work in bars or as domestic servants. These obstacles further limit their ability to earn or increase a living, in many cases creating a “ripple effect” as poverty impacts family members in whose households they dwell.
It is with these challenges in mind that RLabs and Plan International are launching the first Living Lab in the country with the hope of addressing the above tensions but also to encourage a new breed of young people who will leverage education, technology and Innovation to reconstruct Sierra Leone.
RLabs will be sending out a team to spend a few weeks in the country along with the local Plan International partners with the first phase being the setting up of the Academy and Entrepreneurial School. The programme will be launched December 2012 with training the trainers programmes being run quarterly with the young people in the local region.
RLabs welcomes Sierra Leone to the Social Revolution and looking forward seeing a nation being transformed by the people for the people.
Image Copyright: Plan International
Looking forward how Sierra Leonean youth can change the course in their lives with the help of #RLabs and #Plan. Successful first week behind and all eager to continue innovating for social good!
I want to interview you for a research I’m doing .. when are you back Tuulia?