Black History Month is
Every month
"If
every American consumer brought their own reusable bags when shopping, we'd
cut more than a billion pounds of CO2 this month - that's
the equivalent of taking 1.3 million cars off the road!
Save wildlife: Hundreds
of thousands of sea turtles, birds, whales, and other marine mammals die
every year from eating plastic bags mistaken for food.
Save trees: It takes 14
million trees to make all of the paper bags the U.S. uses in one year.
Reduce waste: An estimated
4 billion plastic bags end up as litter each year globally - enough to
circle the earth 63 times tied end to end!
Reduce our dependence on oil: About
12 million barrels of oil are required to make the 100 billion plastic shopping
bags used in the U.S. each year. "
Our
American cousins can sign the pledge by clicking here. Please pass
the word along. Global warming will affect us all.
The name of Nelson Mandela's foundation to fight AIDS in Africa is 46664, representing Madiba's prison number during his incarceration by the apartheid South African regime. The message is; wear the red ribbon, talk to people. In the words of Nelson Mandela; "AIDS is no longer just a disease, it is a human rights issue".
This WORLD AIDS Day, find out more about the Nelson Mandela Foundation by clicking on the 46664 picture above.
OTHER
CHIEFDOMS - LET'S GET TOGETHER!
-
HASFMP invites other chiefdoms' civil society organisations to network
Our work is designed to
be duplicated by any chiefdom that wishes to do so.
Our resources are available to anyone interested in sustainable development
in Sierra Leone or West Africa. HASFMP invites other Kono and Sierra Leonean
chiefdoms' sustainable development organisations to submit their details,
activities and photos for publication on our website. We will design a homepage
for your organisation or chiefdom free of charge. Please click here:
network@asfasuluku.org or call +44 207 624 2558 (new)
or call or text +44 7756 626 514.
HASFMP School Linking Project Update
The project summary has been presented to Paramount Chief Fasuluku who is reported to be very happy with the proposal. He has promised to liaise with the UMC Kayima headmaster and present the proposal in Kayima. We will be followinfg this up with a visit by our representative Sahr Joseph to further discussions before the end of the summer holidays.
HASFMP School Linking Project Summary
HASFM Programme’s coordinator has approached the Essendine Primary School, London, UK regarding the possibility of linking the school with a school in Sandoh. After a preliminary discussion with members of the Essendine senior management team, the school has expressed interest in linking with the UMC Primary School in Kayima, Sandoh Chiefdom, Sierra Leone.
School linking
How would
UMC Primary School benefit from a link with a partner school in the UK? Does
it have interests that may benefit a UK school? The school linking programme
currently links teachers and students in about 15 Sierra Leonean schools with
their counterparts in the UK. This Linking Programme builds on the successful
Millennium Project ‘On the Line’.
School linking promotes understanding of the contemporary UK educational scene
among teachers and pupils helping to develop teaching standards and broaden
both schools curricula. It allows for exchanges of resources, which can enhance
each school. It benefits both schools by providing pupils with exposure to
children in other countries and educating them about those countries, their
cultures and their communities’ daily lives. These link in with teaching
about citizenship as part of the UK national curriculum.
Within the past two years, about 20 school linking co-ordinators in Sierra
Leone and the UK have benefited from reciprocal visits to each other’s
countries.
What is school linking all about?
School partnerships are about learning from each other. You can start a partnership
with a simple exchange of letters. The link may also encompass activities
like sharing traditional stories or food recipes, right up to fully developed
joint school curricula. When you choose to link with a school, it is important
that the relationship should be equal, reciprocal and contribute to the curriculum
and broad interests of both schools.
DfID recommends partnerships should: Encourage discussion of development issues.
Embed the global dimension in the curriculum. Emphasise equality and reciprocity.
Work towards whole school involvement. Involve pupils and/or students. Contribute
to teachers’ personal and professional development. Have long term aims.
Engage with communities. See appendix 1 for details .
Who supports school linking (or twinning) ?
There are several UK organisations supporting school linking. These include
the British Council and DfID. HASFMP can assist other schools in Sandoh or
Kono who wish to link their schools.
How can you fund your linking programme?
The British Council provides limited funding for partner schools, which might
be available for the following:
1. for key individuals to visit each other to establish links and plan work
2. to pay for planning materials and towards the cost of curriculum-based
projects
3. for work in partnerships which support the development of a global dimension
in the curriculum, the learning of foreign languages, or projects that involve
school management, teaching and learning.
DfID runs the Global Schools Partnerships Programme and may have funding for
certain types of activity.
Getting started
HASFMP have laid out suggestions for the first stages of twinning the two
schools
1. Expressions of interest – HASFMP will initiate discussions with the
UMC school headmaster, school children, civil society organisations and chiefs
and feedback to the Essendine School in the UK. Once this is completed, a
letter expressing interest may be drafted by the headmaster of the school
and a reciprocal letter sought from the Essendine school.
2. Planning – HASFMP will liase between the two schools to assist;
a. reaching agreement to link schools
b. clarifying mutual expectations between each schools’ senior management
teams.
c. Planning activities;
i. Initial activities for the children (see appendix 2 below )
ii. Curriculum-based projects
d. Agreeing on resources
e. Agreeing on monitoring procedures and assigning a teacher from each school
to coordinate school link activities.
3. Informal introductory children’s classroom activities, introductions,
exchanging thoughts and letters, choosing pen pals, exchanging photos, etc.
After the relationship between the schools has had time to develop, further
activities such as mutual visits by a representative from each school may
be possible.
Information provided by HASFMP, the British Council and DfID
HASFMP School Linking Project - Appendices
Endemic corruption threatens aid to Sierra Leone
10th June 2007. Senior sources in Sierra Leone and UK Foreign Office sources believe Britain is about to freeze a £15m payment to Sierra Leone amid evidence of endemic corruption that has seen millions of pounds in aid line the pockets of dishonest officials, while ordinary people struggle in conditions of catastrophic poverty. Click here to read Guardian article....
Milestone Diamond Company operates under name 'Sandoh Development Corporation'
The Awareness Times newspaper in November last year reported that PC Fasuluku endorsed the development efforts of the Milestone diamond company, registered in the UK as Milestone Trading Ltd. The company's subsidiaries include; Nimikoro Mining Co Ltd, Nimiyama Mining company Ltd and Sandoh Development Corporation Ltd, active in Sierra Leone.
The paper reports the company has donated a school building in Bagbema and £1000 for school materials as well as assisting with road maintenance in the chiefdom, and is promising scholarships for two pupils to go into further education. Independent reports from Sandoh suggest there are few if any NGO's now active in the chiefdom.
The Bagbema school's roll is reportedly 161 pupils and the number of teachers has increased to six, averaging 1 teacher per 27 pupils, the report did not indicate whether these were qualified teachers. One community elder SRS Morsay, appealed for a hand-pump water-well for the school, adding, that "infant mortality was on the increase in Bagbema, and urged Government and other stakeholders to provide health- care facilities like health centres and clinics".
As of October 2005 Milestone declared ownership of 153 acres of mining licences in Sandoh. Since October 2005 the company declared acquisition of an additional 1,634 acres of licences in Sandoh Chiefdom, 1,495 acres of licences in neighbouring Nimiyama Chiefdom, and 981 acres of mining licences in nearby Nimikoro Chiefdom.
HASFMP has received no reports regarding the outcomes of the Sandoh community's dispute over land rights, which was taken up by the Network Movement for Justice and Development earlier in 2006 (See below..... ), apart from those contained in its 2006 annual report. NMJD reports; "the people of Sando chiefdom in Kono district gave an ultimatum to the Sierra Leone Diamond Mining Company (SLDC), which commenced operations without an EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment), to either undertake an EIA or cease operations." Click here to read 2006 NMJD report....
The removal of transparent community government since the 1970's and the international scramble for Sierra Leone's diamonds were the causes of the 10 year long bloodshed that ended in 2001, scarred Sierra Leone and it's people, and destroyed the Kono District, at one time turning almost all of its population into refugees. This has now been publicised in several major films including the recent 'Blood Diamond'.
Transparency International call for SL corruption research papers
Attention research students in Sierra Leone! Last year Transparency International confirmed to HASFMP that research contributions to the 2008 international corruption report are being called for this Spring (2007). Contact Doris Basler at the TI West Africa Desk (click here).....
Stealing the future: Corruption in the classroom in Sierra Leone.
Excerpt from Transparency International Education Report 2005/6. "The education sector in Sierra Leone is a shambles, particularly in areas outside the capital, Freetown. The corruption institutionalised under successive administrations has led to the diversion of resources in all areas of service provision, but education, the highest employer of civil servants in the country, has been the hardest hit. Click here to read more....
Rural building in Tropical Climates
A growing awareness of the need for better rural structures has in recent years occurred in many developing countries. So far, rural buildings and structures have, in many countries, been built either, on a traditional basis without much improvement, or in an inadequate and often too expensive way, guided by people without appropriate knowledge of the special technical, biological and economic problems involved. Therefore in 1979, the FAO/SIDA Cooperative Programme: Rural Structures in East and South East Africa was established, with the objective to provide assistance to member countries in the development of functional, low-cost rural structures using a maximum of locally available building materials and skills.
The entire book is available to read online, but a word of warning - this book is not eco-friendly nor does it emphasise sustainability, Certain recommendations to use toxic substances should be ignored and sustainable alternatives should be found. Click here to read book.
The first issue of 'Kono Na We Home', the newsletter of the Kono Union in the US, has just been published in full colour. The Kono Union USA mission is "To build partnerships with communities, establish a network of individuals, donors and organisations worldwide to promote sustainable economic development, help accelerate rehabilitation projects in Kono, promote health awareness programmes throughout the entire Kono District, promote education and protect the environment."
Click here to read the newletter (pdf format) or click on the image above to go to the website.
26th Of February marks the beginning of fair trade fornight around the world.
Click on the picture above for more information and download the action guide.
See the column on left for producwer information.
View our Fairtrade Fortnight 2007 Presentation (UK Schools Version) Now live!
Click here to view introductory workshop powerpoint presentation....
What
is forest farming (agroforestry)?
Agricultural production in this region, which is mainly subsistence farming,
mostly occurs under the intermittent cover of trees, so that these forest
farming systems contribute to the sustenance of millions of livelihoods
in Africa alone. They also represent a major source, both in number and
volume, of timber and non-timber forest products, which contribute to
the food security of local communities and individuals. Current trends
of growing pressure on limited natural forest resources coupled with a
rising demand for forest products suggest that reliance on on-farm forest
resources is likely to increase in the future. Certain forest products,
including gums, oils, proteins, fruit and drinks, are among the main and
most frequently consumed items in their respective food categories by
a majority of people, especially in rural areas. Some very popular products
such as Vitellaria paradoxa butter (Shea butter) and Parkia biglobosa
spice are consumed throughout their distributional range, while patterns
of consumption for others are more limited geographically. Edible forest
products are not only critical in supplementing the nutritional value
of basic staple foods in lipids, proteins and micronutrients, but they
also diversify diets and enhance people's seasonal food balance since
they become available at different times of the year. Click
here to read the report....
What
is Agroforestry? Click here to find out.....
Local production techniques for long life Shea Butter in Guinea - a village income generator
'Fresh
shea butter made from the shea nut (Vitellaria paradoxa) by traditional
methods is full of all kinds of botanical goodness like vitamin A compounds,
allantoin (found in aloe and comfrey), circuminoids (anti-cancer compounds
found in cumin) and catechins. Trouble is, it degrades rapidly and quickly
loses potency. Most traditional shea butter observed was going rancid
within 6 months, and completely bad before a year was up. Occasionally
however, some were found still fresh after a year or even two.' Click
here to find out how....
Shea nuts (Vitellaria paradoxa)
UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Sustainable Livelihoods Website
Livelihoods consist of the capabilities, assets - both material and social resources - and activities required for a means of living. A livelihood is sustainable when it can cope with and recover from stresses and shocks, maintain or enhance its capabilities and assets, and provide net benefits to other livelihoods locally and more widely, both now and in the future, while not undermining the natural resource base.
The sustainable livelihoods approach addresses two key questions: What institutional arrangements enable some poor people to achieve sustainable, secure livelihoods, when others fail? What policies and strategies can support the poor? Click here to visit their website....
HASFMP Powerpoint training presentation on how to prepare project proposals, written for Sierra Leonean organisations and community actors. Please be patient while presentation starts up. View here.... , HASFMP one page project outline....
HASFMP's Freetown courier has just returned from Sandoh after delivering letters of introduction to heads of local CBO's, describing our work and promoting cooperation and partnerships. Sahr Joseph met with members of the community on the sensitisation trip and was inundated with questions about the HASFM sustainable land management, communities and livelihoods programme and what it could do for them. The overwhelming sentiments in Tefeya and Kayima's communities, were that our courier should visit regularly. This is in line with HASFMP's aim to open up regular channels of communication between Sandoh and the outside world. NGO letter.... , Supporters and friends of Sandoh letter...
HASFMP Sandoh Development Report October 2006 (draft)
Headings: Agriculture and food security. Seed security. Trade. Community transport. Roads and travel. Water supply. Adult education. Sanitation. Law, order, access to justice. Communications. Primary healthcare. Local government participation. Access to farmland endowments. Youth unemployment.
Photographs were taken and will be published once they arrive in the UK. Read report......
To see all the young
children heads down competitively concentrating on their Ware (Waii) boards
was gratifying and filled me with African pride. The junior open tournament
went on all day, though we arrived too late to enter. The organisers still
found time to mingle with those who weren't competing and teach the game.
My 7 and 9 year old nephews picked up the game quickly and were soon getting
quite competitive with my sons who could already play. I had a very close
game with the organiser, which I felt proud of. Everybody had a chance
to play each other. It was good family fun all round.
After the tournament we had the chance to look at Britain's international
stolen goods repository (aka the British Museum) which was seriously jazzed
up for the Millenium, and got fleeced by the prices at the cafe.
There are more events coming up so visit the Ware Society's website at www.oware.org . Anyone can play, it's one of those games that's quick to pick up, simple while you're a beginner, but gets more and more strategic and complicated as you become advanced. Best of all, the game is thousands of years old and is African. This game belongs to us.
The boards are on sale
everywhere from under a tenner and they're all hand made in Africa. Promoting
Africa and its culture and helping African development at local level.October
is Black History Month in the UK, when we celebrate the contributions Africans
(including the Diaspora) have made to the world. Email
in your articles and we'll publish them. Explore
the terrible history of the Gallinas River in Sierra Leone, Sengbe Pieh and
the Amistad story....
Learn
about Sierra Leonean history and culture...
Learn
about UK African History....
100
Great Black Britons....
Learn
abourt UK Black History Month....
See
African History Timelines from the origin of mankind ....
Learn
about African and Diaspora biographies from Encyclopaedia Britannica's Guide
to Black History
BBC's
Slavery in the 21st Century website....
Join forces with people all over the world on October 15th & 16th, 2006 to set the first ever world record for the largest number of people to STAND UP Against Poverty and STAND UP for the Millennium Development Goals! More...
Update: If you or your organisation would like to get involved in Sierra Leone Go to the Sierra Leone campaign page for contact details.
Illegal GM rice found in chinese imports to EU
7th September 2006 -- Friends of the Earth International today called on countries importing rice from China to immediately ban imports of Chinese rice following the detection of illegal genetically modified (GM) rice in Chinese foods on sale in Europe. FOE Nigeria coordinator reported that this is the second GM contamination in 3 weeks. More....
Soil maps of Sierra Leone
Colour coded soil maps of Sierra Leone (4 per page) showing regional soil suitability for different types of crop and, soil degradation circa 1970's. Soil degradation and deforestation is expected to be worse now, as deforestation affects rainfall, water tables and soil stability. These files are too large for 56kbps modems (4.8Mb each) so we intend to edit our images to a downloadable size for use in Sierra Leone. UNDP FAO colour soil maps of Sierra Leone 1:1000,000 scale
HASFM Programme answers GM threat to UK and EU organic markets
In a letter today, HASFM Programme stepped up to defend the huge EU potential market for African organic produce, which is under threat from watered down EU organic regulations and impending UK policies allowing GM contamination of organic food. Read letter.....
Join campaign , See also: Friends of the Earth International , UK , and US .
Organic agriculture can stop world hunger
In his paper, Andre Leu, President - Organic Producers Association of Queensland states; " ....the push for (inputs and GMO's)... is being justified, in part, by the rationale that without these products the world will not be able to feed itself.... ". "....Argentina is a good example of what happens when a country pursues the policies of market deregulation and GMO crops. It is the third-largest producer of GMO crops, with 28 percent of the world’s production. The country is now in deep debt, with its economy under the control of the IMF and World Bank. Its standard of living has declined, and thousands more farmers have been forced off their farms. Rural and urban poverty and hunger has increased....." Read the full case for organic farming.........
World Bank international watchdog
The Bank Information Center , is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organisation that partners with civil society in developing and transition countries to influence the World Bank and other international financial institutions to promote social and economic justice and ecological sustainability.
World Bank on governance
"The role of the rapid results approach in decentralisation and strengthening local governance" A paper released by the World Bank in April 2006. More...,
Developing countries attack IMF reforms
SINGAPORE — Developing countries finance ministers have stated that proposed reforms of International Monetary Fund voting rights failed to meet the needs of low income IMF members.
Civil society makes case for Sierra Leone ahead of IMF annual meeting
Members of the Global Campaign Against Poverty comprising of civil society organisations in Sierra Leone, in an international tele-conference, raised concerns to representatives of some of the major international financial institutions regarding their policies. More...
Mining company intends to reclaim mined-out land for agriculture in Sandoh
The Milestone Trading Limited, a UK registerd diamond mining company operating in Sandoh Chiefdom states that it has embarked on reclaiming land it had mined out over a year ago in order to make the respective areas useful for agriculture. More....
Sandoh's community challenges lack of mining transparency in the Chiefdom (updated)
1st August 2006. Standard Times reports "the Campaign for Just Mining (CJM) under the auspices of the Network Movement for Justice and Development (NMJD) has called the attention of all stakeholders involved in the mining sector of Sierra Leone and the general public to the conflict between the chiefs and the people of Sandoh chiefdom with regards to the operation of the Sierra Leone Diamond Company (SLDC) and Milestone Mining Company operating in their chiefdoms." Read More.....
UK Organic Fortnight
2-17 September. Thousands of events and promotions taking place throughout the UK during the fortnight, giving you the opportunity to discover for yourself whether organic food really is better for you and your family. More.....
UN Consolidated Appeal 2006 West Africa
The UN describes the Consolidated Appeals Process (CAP) as an inclusive and coordinated programme cycle of: Strategic planning leading to a Common Humanitarian Action Plan (CHAP); Resource mobilisation (leading to a Consolidated Appeal or a Flash Appeal); Coordinated programme implementation; Joint monitoring and evaluation; Revision, if necessary; and Reporting on results. The CHAP is a strategic plan for humanitarian response in a given country or region Go to CAP 2006......
Challenging
IMF and World Bank conditions:
A new strategy for reform at the World Bank and IMF, 5th July 2006
Christian Aid's latest report shows that the continued use of controversial economic policy conditions, such as trade liberalisation and privatisation, by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) directly contradicts the policy the UK government made last year, which states ‘we will not make our aid conditional on specific policy decisions by partner governments’.
Christian Aid states "the UK government should put a moratorium on its voluntary contributions to the World Bank and IMF until they reform and stop imposing harmful economic conditions on aid. Full report.....
World Bank Development Indicators for Sierra Leone 2000 to 2005
As these are World Bank statistics they reflect World Bank priorities and so place more emphasis on economic indicators of development than they do on quality-of-life indicators of development. Click here to read...
Evidence of post-conflict trauma in Freetown 9 years on.
Evidence of post traumatic stress disorder in the general citizenry showed itself as Chinese fireworks caused a mass Eastend panic in Freetown, Sierra Leone recently. Awareness Times reports that many people who lived through the unfortunate invasion of Freetown by rebels 9 years ago, were frightened that they were reliving the episode as the fireworks were let off. February the 7th was Chinese New Year, which the Chinese usually celebrate with fireworks. Read more.........
IFOAM Africa Organic News - December edition
(Link repaired) Click Here to read the latest organic developments from Africa. Headlines include;
Newsletter Update
Archives
Books for Sandoh Appeal - Adult and Community Learning Resource Centre
It is said that
man cannot live by bread alone, and while we struggle to make food for
our bodies we also need food for our minds.
Empowerment requires knowledge, which is why it is said that knowledge is power. As Sierra Leone rebuilds itself from its ashes and grieves for the loss of its sons and daughters and the loss of its innocence, and tolerates its pain, it is more important now than ever that we grow with an expanded understanding of the world around us.
Donate old and new books - we will collect
As a rural farming community, books are among the last things to come to such places as Sandoh, if ever. Right now even school teachers have nothing but their memory and a chalk board with which to teach their pupils. After over ten years of war, a whole generation of young adults have partly or wholly missed out on an education, adding greatly to the need for basic adult education.
Donate old and new books - we will collect
We noticed how difficult it was to pass on knowledge to adults outside the school system, though we had brought development and skills books and manuals on subjects like basic blacksmithing and hand-tool making, basic carpentry, forest and community farming, and more. We identified a need for a central store of knowledge and a base which teachers of adults and children, and skills trainers could use as a resource for lessons and training. This would also be open to everyone else in the community to tap into, gaining exposure to and inspiration from a fascinating world of knowledge, skills, art and storytelling. This is the reason we are setting up a Community LEARNING RESOURCE CENTRE and library in the heart of Sandoh.
Donate old and new books - we will collect
It is said that man cannot live by bread alone, and while we struggle to make food for our bodies we also need food for our minds.
Update: Plans for permanent, independent accommodation for the planned LRC and recruitment of trustworthy custodians to protect this valuable collection are reported to be making progress. Reports will be confirmed before the planned 2000 books and other equipment will be collected, catalogued and shipped.
Preventing AIDS is ABC
Abstinence, Be faithful, use a Condom. Click on the red logo to find out how to stop HIV & AIDS and save Africa. Wear the ribbon and teach everyone you know: AIDS KILLS; no argument.
Recent reports (Oct 2005) from our field programme manager, Tamba Nyandebo, indicate PC Sheku Fasuluku is spearheading a major programme of renovation throughout the chiefdom. Official Barries are being renovated or rebuilt including the NA Barrie in Kayima, as are many buildings and bridges. The PC Fasuluku Memorial Secondary School has been given the go ahead and we understand construction is under way.
We understand PC Fasuluku has gutted and renovated the distinguished colonial-style building in Kayima that HASFMFP surveyed on our last visit for its possiblities as a site for the proposed LRC (click here to see 2004 survey photos). We are awaiting a detailed report from Sierra Leone.
We are investigating how we can assist in the develpment of eco-tourism to the chiefdom. Areas of natural beauty have been identified within the chiefdom and Tamba Nyandebo has travelled with IMATT to the second largest mountain in Sierra Leone situated in Sandoh. HASFMFP will continue close liaison with chiefdom authorities and hope to assist collation of a portfolio of natural attractions. HASFMFP priority will be a programme of conservation to ensure the local ecology remains undamaged by the impact of tourism.
HASFMP (UK) has purchased a second hand video camera and accessories as well as two small still cameras to enable field staff to identify and monitor projects. This will assist transparency and accountability and ensure work is carried out properly. It will also provide valuable publicity footage for Sandoh and HASFMP and may be used to help promote tourism. The camera needs minor maintenance before it can be shipped to Sierra Leone.
June 2006 Kimberlite Diamond Mining Report By Diamond Company
Lion Kimberlite Fissures Kono District, Sierra Leone joint venture with Mano River Resources Inc. Read their report......
UN reports environmental damage and human rights abuses in Koidu (Sefadu), Kono kimberlite mining operations (updated, satellite images)
15th Feb 2006. Environmental damage, health hazards and persistent violations of human rights associated with the kimberlite mining operations in Koidu (Sefadu), Kono District, continue unabated. Implementation of the housing project intended to provide an alternate housing facility for those affected by the blasting, remains slow. Civil society groups continue to advocate for government action to address these concerns, but the response has been slow. (Page 8, Par G23, Report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights* E/CN.4/2006/106, 15 February 2006.) Click here to read the full report
Update! Satellite images of Koidu and kimberlite blasting and excavations, Less than a mile from the centre of Koidu (Sefadu). [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]
The 5th of June was World Environment Day. Promise to make a small difference to your lifestyle and you can help protect the environment. If you’re already saving water and recycling, make a big promise today and make a bigger difference. We want everyone to promise the Earth. More....
Equatorial African Icecaps Will Disappear Due to Global Warming
Since the commencement of industrialisation mankind has taken a heavy toll on our planets resources and the health of our environment. Now Africa is to suffer massive consequences of industrial exploitation and the careless over-use of fossil fuels. Recession of these tropical glaciers sends an unambiguous message of a changing climate in this region of the tropics. "The Mountains of the Moon whose snows feed the lakes, sources of the Nile." More.....
Water reserves drop in Sierra Leone
Most of Sierra Leone and northern Liberia’s reservoirs have dropped significantly below normal. The low water levels can be attributed to below normal rainfall during the early part of the wet season. This is not expected to have an impact on agriculture in the countries, but may impact water availability. The month of August is typically one of the wettest times of year, and during the past month rainfall deficits have been reduced. More...
Kono District Recovery Committee Report 2003
Produced with technical support from UNAMSIL Civil Affairs and UNOCHA. To read this report, click here.
Sierra Leone Chimpanzee Sanctuary Celebrates 10th Anniversary
The Sanctuary hosted over 500 guests recently, including the president of Sierra Leone, to celebrate their 10th Anniversary.
"Chimpanzee numbers have declined dramatically in Sierra Leone in the last three decades; in the early 1970's an estimated 20,000 wild chimps were living in the west African country - today there are less than 3,000", states the organisation. More.....
Largest remaining rainforest in West Africa to be conserved by RSPB Project
A major conservation project is well under way to preserve a world 'biodiversity hotspot' in Sierra Leone; what remains of the Upper Guinea Rainforests that once stretched from Ghana to Guinea.
Large-scale forest clearance in Sierra Leone began in colonial times and, though the widespread destruction has continued since, it was unlikely to have served the needs of local communities. The commercial timber trade had earmarked the Gola forest in south-east Sierra Leone for destruction before the movement to save it gained momentum and got government support.
Sandoh Chiefdom's forests are also under threat from loggers impatient to exploit Sierra Leones resources. Sandoh's forests were diligently conserved by the late PC Fasuluku before his death in 1979, a legacy that he left for the people of the chiefdom and that remains over 27 years later.
Surrounding chiefdoms have suffered badly from the strip-mining of their local resources, with locals getting very little benefit - if any - from the loss of their natural resources. Depletion of soil fertility, soil erosion, loss of wildlife and their habitats, effects on ground water, scarring of the landscape and shortages of firewood, are all prices paid by neighbouring chiefdoms and their future generations, for the short term gains of their parents.
Thankfully conservation is not a new concept to the new Paramount Chief Sheku Fasuluku who resigned his position in the Sierra Leone Forestries Department last year to take up his staff of office as newly elected Paramount Chief of Sandoh. PC Fasuluku was heavily involved in the Gola Project before he resigned his forestry position. This will make it much easier for interested NGO's to discuss and initiate conservation efforts and good land management in Sandoh.
HASFMP promotes the concepts of forest farming, the formation of organic farming cooperatives, fair trade schemes and eco tourism, to ensure this and future generations benefit from the land while preserving it as a resource. More....
Sierra Leonean Independence Day on the 27th April
Celebrating 45 years of independence. As Sierra Leone grows into maturity, read about the architect of independence and first prime minister of Sierra Leone and other famous Sierra Leoneans. More.....
July is Sickle Cell Awareness Month
Sickle Cell Anaemia is hereditary and affects the red blood cells and mainly affects people from Africa, the Caribbean, the Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East and Asia, but can affect other ethnic groups.
Because of their shape, sickled red blood cells can't squeeze through small blood vessels as easily as the almost donut-shaped normal cells. This can lead to these small blood vessels getting blocked which then stops the oxygen from getting through to where it is needed. This in turn can lead to severe pain and damage to organs. Find out more at the Sickle Cell Society UK......
Sierra Leonean News and International Development News feeds launched on HASFM Programme for Sandoh Website
Updated daily news provided in association with Fasuuku Books and Media: Sierra Leone click here..... , International Development click here...
Live Differently! Learning materials for schools
Live differently!
is an exciting free scheme by Christian Aid providing multi-faith assembly
and lesson materials for RE, active citizenship and personal development
for primary and secondary schools. The Sierra Leonean series helps children
to understand the need for fair international trade rules, to enable poor
countries to help their own people. They can be saved and printed for
use in class but may need slight updating.
Sierra
Leone background
Assembly
ideas and class activities for 7-11, and 11-14 year olds
Further
activities for 7-11 year olds
Further
activities for 11-14 year olds
Poster
Article:
"One year on: Konos of Sierra Leone very impressed with Awareness
Times Newspaper
By Tamba R. Fillie, Jul 27, 2006, 16:45
It is extremely difficult
for a newspaper to be wholeheartedly accepted in Kono. The simple reason
being that the people seem not to trust newspapers and what they publish;
most of which is considered by the people as figments of the journalists’
imagination, as they are characterized by incessant besmearing of the
characters of decent people in society.
Another reason advanced by most of the readers in Kono is that the papers
are too Freetown concentrated .........with no regard for what is happening
in the provinces, especially in Kono. " Read
article.....
Solar WiFi Internet connections in remote areas of developing countries
Green WiFi, a not for profit organization, has big plans for solar-powered WiFi. The organisation hopes to bring Internet access to schools in developing countries by building wireless network grids with battery-powered routers connected to solar panels mounted on rooftops. More of this article......
Green WiFi Project PDF document....
What has concerned HASFMP for some time now, is how to overcome the largest obstacle to internet connectivity in remote areas; the high cost of mobile/satellite connectivity. HASFMP researchers found the cost of a 512kbps (half a megabyte per second) broadband connection suitable for multiple users provided by African satellite internet providers, costs over $600 per month or $20 per day. This is far beyond the budget of local communities and may be unsustainable even in commercial terms.
Youth unemployment crisis
7th April 2006. Increasing levels of youth unemployment in West Africa, with 3/4 of the population under 30, poses a serious threat to the security and stability of the whole region - UN Special Representative. More........
Kono community organisation starts new website in America
While taking a pessimistic viewpoint, the new website published by The Kono Union, a Kono community organisation in the USA, nevertheless has a glossy and professional image and pulls no punches when it talks about the devastation suffered by the District and its population and the curse of blood diamonds. It also has a message board to exchange comments and ideas about the region and some interesting writing under 'Where is Kono?'
Sandoh chiefdom is situated in Kono District, close to the main diamond mining areas in the country. Luckily Sandoh has few diamonds and was a partially safe haven and breadbasket for many during the troubles, concentrating instead on agriculture. Kono district was the most neglected, most fought over, and worst affected part of the country before and during the chaos. More....
Bio Diesel a revolution in self sufficient fuel
This fuel is reported to be cleaner, safer, cheaper and more environmentally-friendly than any other vehicle fuel. But the most extraordinary thing about bio-fuel is that it is manufactured from used (or unused) cooking oil.
The process is simple enough for an individual to make in a kitchen. The effect is to greatly reduce local transport costs and reduce the environmental impact of vehicles and machinery running on fossil fuels. More.........
Health and hope for children after the conflict
IRC health coordinators supervise and support 300 community health workers who live in villages scattered throughout Kono and who focus on improving the health of the district’s children.
This network of care reaches roughly 16,000 children under five and more than 21,000 women of childbearing age. And it is flexible enough to survive even the instability of armed conflict, says IRC senior technical advisor for child survival Dr. Emmanuel d’Harcourt. “It sounds simple, but it saves lives, and these simple solutions do not break down when war strikes,” he says. More.....
2nd warning in 5 months from UN on youth unemployment crisis
31st August 2006: Kofi Annan in a recent report has again highlighted the serious threat to security caused by mass youth unemployment. Read brief report.... , Read full report...
Addicted to inputs and industrialised farming, while youth remain unemployed
In 2004 over 768 metric tonnes of inputs, otherwise known as chemical fertilisers and pesticides used so extensively in 20th century farming, were imported into Sierra Leone for use by farmers, according to the Poverty Reduction Strategy Progress report for the Agriculture Sector published in April by the Sierra Leonean Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. This is despite the fact that much of Sierra Leone's soil has laid fallow for almost a decade due to the troubles and much is virgin fertile soil. In addition, annual importation of so called 'improved' rice seed varieties (the report does not state if this means GM seeds) reached 3000 metric tonnes in 2004 and again in 2005. More....
Looking back at World White Band Day Dec 2005 events in Sierra Leone
Farmers associations, petty traders associations, market women's associations, labour unions and civil society organisations conducted rallies, symposiums, meetings with government ministries, radio discussions and more to campaign against trade injustice, forced free trade, forced liberalisation and dumping of rice and chicken produce on Sierra Leone. Words and pictures....
Communications in Kono, Sierra Leone
Communications have improved in Kono with the introduction of mobile phones, though it could be much better. Konos will not be able to benefit from the vast development and self-help resources available until Internet Service Providers offer locally affordable broadband . Current communications facilities include.... Read more.....
Environmental export requirements could give Sierra Leone trade opportunities
According to UNCTAD's 2006 review; establishing expertise in products such as organic agriculture could boost exports. More....
Forum
for Food Sovereignty – Declaration of Nyeleni
International Conference on Organic Agriculture and Food Security
Launch of the East African Organic Products Standard (EAOPS) and the Associated
East African Organic Mark (EAOM) at the East African Organic Conference
Launch
of the Ethiopian Association of Organic Agriculture
Launch of the National Organic Agriculture Movement of Madagascar at the
National Organic Workshop
First Organic Restaurant Established in Ghana
Leading Supermarket Chain Goes Organic in Kenya
Celebration of this Year’s World Food Day (WFD)
Join Organic Africa at BioFach 2008
A List of Organic Certification Bodies Operating in Africa is Available
at the IFOAM Africa Office Homepage
Upcoming Organic Agriculture Related Events
For previous editions click here
1st December 2007 KONO STUDENTS UNION IN FREETOWN HOLDS WORLD AIDS DAY EVENTS
Each year HASMFP donates a small amount to KONSU activities in Sierra Leone. This year we have donated Le250,000 towards KONSU's annual World AIDS Day activities.
KONSU have requested assistance with their many projects including: World AIDS Day activities, their annual summer teaching camps in Kono, capacity building the organisation (premises, IT, website hosting, etc).
Anyone interested in donating to the activities of this dynamic group of young intellectuals, please contact them directly on their new email: konsu2007 @ yahoo. co.uk or via our HASFMP Freetown representative Sahr John Joseph on 00 232 33 874 124 (Comium). Or contact HASFMP (UK), Sahr O Fasuluku LLB on 07756 626 514, sahrfas @ yahoo.co. uk, or 0207 624 2558 to coordinate sending funds from the UK.
Please let us know if you require receipts. Every penny of your donation goes directly to KONSU in Freetown and is used on their projects. If you have a specific purpose you would like your funds used for, or a favourite project, please specify at the time of giving.
OUR KONO STUDENTS ARE TRYING AND THEY NEED OUR HELP SO THEY CAN HELP OUR PEOPLE
PLEASE ASSIST BOBOH PAIN
October 2007 edition - IFOAM Africa Organic News
Click here for the latest edition of IFOAM Organic African News.
Nov 2007- Kono Students Union World AIDS day appeal
As usual the Kono Students Union in Sierra Leone will be holding an event to keep AIDS and HIV in the spotlight and educate people on how to stay safe.
July 2007 Organic Africa News Now Out
The July edition of IFOAM Organic Africa News is now out and will be published here soon. If you can't wait, email us for a copy at info@sandoh.org.uk.
May 2007 Issue of IFOAM Organic News
Tribute to Konradin Ferrari d'Occhieppo
We pay tribute to our sponsor Mrs Elisabeth Fasuluku's uncle, professor Konradin Ferrari d'Occhieppo, renowned astronomer and author of the book ' The Star Of Bethlehem In Astronomical View; Legend Or Fact? ' who passed away recently aged 99 years (b.1907 d. 2007). May his soul rest in peace. Click here to read his biography (translated).
Message from KONSU - Annual volunteer teaching trip to Kono
21st June 2007. The Kono Students Union plans to go to Kono on its regular summer holiday volunteering expedition to help teach Kono secondary school pupils summer classes free of charge. Last years trip was a great success, (click here to read about last years trip).
KONSU also aim to sensitize the electorate on how to go about exercising their rights. There is no fund being provided to KONSU by the National Electoral Commission but they are ready to render their free services so their people will not be marginalised as has happened before. This will be achieved by educating local people on how to make sure their representatives are transparently, and properly elected without violence or corrupt election practices. Therefore, KONSU needs your support greatly towards their transportation and any donation from you will be highly appreciated, not only by the organisation but by the whole of kono people. All necessary support or needs have to be provided by KONSU such as feeding, accommodation, medicine, materials and so on.
The main target of the Kono trip is to help or assist Kono teachers in conducting special lesson for the children of Kono, therefore KONSU have decided to ask you for any small kola towards the transportation of those volunteers selected from various colleges in Freetown. There are ten concerned colleges involved. These are; Fourah Bay College, Njala, Milton Margai, IPAM, Amtech, Makeni teachers college, Magboroka Teachers College, College of Business Studies and Bo Teachers College. It is out of these colleges the Kono students come together to form the Kono Students Union (KONSU). Each college aims to provide two students to offer these services commencing 1st July 2007. Looking forward for your great concerns for KONSU.
Contact details for KONSU to follow.
Use HASMP contact details in Freetown to make contributions (see our website contact pages for details, www.sandoh.org.uk ) . Or contact S O Fasuluku LLB (07756 626 514, sahrfas@ yahoo.co.uk , 0207 604 3621) to coordinate sending funds from the UK.
OUR STUDENTS ARE TRYING AND THEY NEED OUR HELP TO HELP OUR PEOPLE.
HASFMP organic campaign letter on DEFRA website
The UK Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) David Miliband, has published HASFMP's campaign letter against GM contamination on the DEFRA website. Click here to read...
Sierra Leonean development and government websites out of date already
Internet websites are a good indication of the importance of sustainability in any programme of development. Many useful Sierra Leonean websites were set up between 2000 and 2004. Unfortunately a lot of them have not been updated since 2004. The most authoritative and comprehensive development website Sierra Leone has - the Sierra Leone Encyclopaedia incorporating all government ministries and many NGO's active in Sierra Leone - was last updated in June 2006, most of the information is over 3 years old. Click here to read more...
Freetown's private tuition scam causes Kono teachers brain drain
HASFMP research has found that for a number of years teachers in secondary schools in Freetown have withheld aspects of the curriculum, not teaching them during class lessons. This is designed to make it impossible for students to pass their exams without additional paid-for tuition, which the same teachers provide privately. Click here to read more.....
Short excerpt from our representative in Sierra Leone, Sahr Joseph’s diary of his Easter 2007 workshop trip to Sandoh.
Sahr Joseph (left) with Alex Karam (right) and his
transport, serving Sandoh
"I was given a red carpet welcome in Kayima. The chairman for the project in Kayima accommodated me and gave me food daily till my return to Freetown. On my first day I called a meeting for all concerned members and also those who want to join us." Click here to read more......
European Parliament decision for 0.1% GM contamination threshold
There are reports being received by HASFMP that ongoing disputes are persisting between the youth of Sandoh and its authorities. The youths reportedly object to the use of arable farm land for mining. Click here to read more....
When
every man, woman and child in West Africa can securely and sustainably
eat like this, regardless of the trials and tribulations life brings,
while enhancing, diversifying and preserving the land for future generations,
while building sustainable healthy communities and educating ourselves
and our young, we will have reached our goal.
Africa's
Major environmental concerns UNEP Report
'A surge towards political liberalisation, and emergence of an increasingly strengthened civil society (UNDP, 1996). These are examples of social and political transitions towards peace and economic progress, although their impacts on the environment are yet to be assessed. Africa is at a critical turning point.
'Amid these changes, environmental degradation continues. One of the major problems common to the countries of Africa relates to the great imbalance in the use of its natural resources: those such as soil and vegetation are overexploited, while water, energy, minerals, and organic resources are underused or exported raw. Striking a balance between economic development and sustainability for the growing number of people remains the major environment and development challenge. The two are interlinked, requiring a coherent and integrated regional approach for their solution. The difficulty of finding the right path is compounded by the region's great variance in cultural heritage and natural resource endowments.' Click here to read the report......
Livestock and nutrient cycling and sustainable agriculture in the West African Sahel
Annual rainfall
has been declining over the past 20 years in the West African Sahel.
Rainfall distribution has also been erratic. At the same time the region
has experienced rapid population growth. The combination of increasing
aridity, drought and population pressure has put stress on the resource
base. The practice of fallowing to maintain soil productivity has decreased
dramatically, or disappeared in many areas. Nutrient balances
are negative for many cropping systems, with offtake greater than input,
indicating that farmers are mining their soils.... Click
to read more....
Youth organisation invites HASFMP
Sandoh youth have invited the HASFMP to run workshops in Sandoh to assist capacity building of the youth organisations and sensitise them to the workings of organic farming. Youth groups, local civil society organisations, local projects and the chief of Tefeya have all shown great interest in organic and fair trade farming, though many have stated difficulty in forming a cohesive group or cooperative that will coordinate their efforts to introduce organic farming methods and ultimately apply for organic and fair trade certification.
HASFMP intends to set grassroots development examples in Sandoh Chiefdom which can then be duplicated in all the chiefdoms in Kono and greater Sierra Leone.
Our programme assistant Sahr Joseph is currently putting together a two page project proposal for the suggested visit. Once this is satisfactorily completed, funding will be made available for the trip.
HASFMP now offers monthly African Organic news by IFOAM
IFOAM the international organic body has given its permission to HASFMP to publish its monthly news bulletin on our website. The news from all over Africa highlights Africa's eagerness to move towards sustainable land management and sustainable communities, while reversing the past and present damaging effects of land and human exploitation. Governments and communities all over Africa are becoming sensitised to the advantages of organic and fair trade agriculture and forestry to their future economies and communities.
Sierra Leone debt relief at last
The bulk of Sierra Leone's debt will be written off after it took steps to stabilise its economy, improve governance and tackle poverty. About 90% of the country's debt, worth about $1.6bn (£815m), will be cancelled in a series of deals with creditors including the World Bank. More.....
HASFMP forms partnership with Sandoh Descendants Association for Development (SDAD) in USSandoh Descendants Association for Development (SDAD) launched in the US to initially act as " ad hoc Sandoh’s libation bearers in the Diaspora, working as a team to carry out a small refurbishing project in Kayima. This project includes the: Old Kayima Court House building and two UMC school buildings." states its founder Gaskin Sankoh. "The Mendes, Temnes and the other tribes are carrying out similar projects in their areas. SDAD is also working with our brothers and sisters in Freetown/Kono to get this project going. These buildings are our traditional landmarks that make Sandoh/ Kayima. " HASFMP and SDAD will share information resources and assist each other in other ways where possible.
SDAD launches Sandoh landmarks refurbishment project fund
SDAD is inviting donations from descendants and friends of Sandoh towards their project to refurbish the Old Kayima Court House building and two UMC primary school buildings. In Europe please contact HASFMP if you wish to make a donation. In the US please contact SDAD at emails: sankohgf @dcsc.gov or telpphone +202-879-1106. You can read their full appeal here (coming shortly).
President Lansana Conte has agreed to replace his prime minister. In return, trade union leaders in Guinea say they will suspend the country's long-running general strike. The new PM is to be chosen from a list of 4 candidates compiled by unions and the opposition.
In response to a national strike throughout Guinea against the continuation of his 23 year rule, the president of Guinea has ordered martial law and imposed a curfew on citizens of Guinea. The current curfew is between 6pm and 6am. Government troops have clashed with civilians resulting in over 100 civilian deaths so far.
The European Parliament has called for the setting up of an international commission of inquiry on the events that have occurred in Guinea since 10 January, while the European Union has threatened to block funds allocated under the Ninth European Development Fund.
Sierra Leone is valiantly trying to rebuild itself on the premise that there is no peace without justice. The presidents of neighbouring Liberia and Sierra Leone flew to Guinea for talks with President Conte on Tuesday fearing the political unrest may spill over into our own states. Talks have apparently resumed between government and unions representing the protesters but are in deadlock over the removal of presidential appointee Prime Minister Camara demanded by the unions. The ICRC have issued a humanitarian report today (22 Feb). Click here to read more........
1 December 06 International WAD Resources Click here
HASFM Programme and others partner with KONSU in Sierra Leone for World Aids Day
KONSU (Kono Students Union) in Freetown held World Aids Day activities this year in partnership with HASFM Programme and other donors. KONSU students activities included a rally and night vigil hosted at the Annie Walsh School in Freetown and attended by the public. Click here for full article......
Other World AIDS Day 2006 Events in Sierra Leone
1/12/06 and 2/12/06 Freetown: Obangs Plaza Kroobay Community and UN Radio: A Drama Performance: 'MAKE A PROMISE' and a one hour radio panel discussion. The coalition of community youth animators on HIV/AIDS and Kroobay Youth Development Organization.
Publicise your Sierra Leonean event click here...
Preventing AIDS is ABC
Abstinence, Be faithful, use a Condom. Click on the red logo to find out how to stop HIV & AIDS and save Africa. Wear the ribbon and teach everyone you know: AIDS KILLS; no argument
The value of a reliable postal service to a country's development
This thoughtful article highlights how vital the postal service is to Sierra Leone's economy and development. Privatising certain parts of the internal postal system may provide the reliabilty and security needed for people to put their trust in it and will vitalise the workings of businesses and individuals, making trade and innovation quicker and more efficient throughout the country. It will also open up the interior further and make sustainable rural development possible. Without it, it becomes almost impossible for the ordinary individual to contact the outside world. Read article...
Communications and corruption in Sierra Leone: Faxing can be Hell
The incredible, riveting and tragic saga of one person's experiences trying to send a fax to Sierra Leone. A better expose of bureaucratic mis-management and corruption was never written. More.... To fight corruption now visit Transparency International - the global coalition against corruption.
Update: Attention research students in Sierra Leone! Transparency International have confirmed to HASFMP that the deadline for contributions to the 2007 international corruption report has now passed, however they will be calling for research contributions to the 2008 volume this coming Spring.
As the first harvests began in Kono starting in August and September and continue in to December and January, we remember farmers at home and around the world who have laboured all year to bring us the food we eat.
The
Harvest in Sandoh is a spiritual and religious event which thanks the
good spirits that protect the crops and ward of the bad ones who wish
to destroy it. "The first soft rice harvested is beaten to make
flour gbafu and is set out for the farm's spirits. If there is a senjeh
tree (associated with the spirits) on the farm, the rice flour will
be wrapped in a leaf and put underneath it; otherwise, it will be put
under the kunduaseneh (or baeasaseneh), the stone where the farm's cutlasses
are sharpened: It is believed that this stone also contains a spirit.
Some of the rice flour is scattered on the ground for visiting spirits—the
bad ones who didn't help the farm....." Sierra Leone Web
"Click here
to read more of this article....
Other
African Harvest Festivals....
Farmers
World Network
FACE
(UK) educate children and youth about farming in a sustainable countryside....
Harvest
festivals around the world.....
UNESCO Adult and youth literacy figures April 2006 for Sierra Leone. While mainstream development targets its education efforts at children, HASFMP has always been conscious of the lost generations who form the majority of the population; those adults who must build a peace and make their livelihoods without the benefit of education. The majority of Sierra Leone's adult and youth population now suffer from illiteracy (65% of adults and over 50% of 15-24 year olds (2004 figures).
On our visit in September 2004 volunteers had started adult education classes in Kayima. HASFMP visited the classes and exchanged views on the initiative. We hope to publish a short video on this site.
One of the main issues for the adult students was overcoming the stigma of taking classes, which was percieved as very embarassing to the students. Despite this stigma, they expressed determination to empower themselves and not to remain vulnerable to exploitation due to their illiteracy.
Further sensitisation of the non-converted population is needed to remove the stigma. Classes also need learning and teaching materials. It is hoped to link this grassroots initiative with HASFMP's planned community learning resource centre which is primarily aimed at adults in the chiefdom and their teachers.
Finally, we observed the methods used in class were more appropriate for teaching children rather than adults. It may be necessary to set up a training project to introduce adult teaching methods which preserve the student's dignity and esteem in the classroom.
Kono Students Union Freetown volunteers return from teaching in Kono
Some thirty students of the Kono Students Union (KONSU) from various tertiary institutions including the Fourah Bay College (FBC) and the Njala University, the Milton Margai College of Education and Technology, and the Freetown and Port Loko Teacher Colleges have ended their free Summer Holiday Classes for pupils of primary and secondary schools in Kono District. More...
Volunteering opportunities with HASFMP
In Sierra Leone, UK or internationally, there are opportunities for you to enhance your CV with your voluntary work. Helping Sierra Leone to help itself; from webdesigning, networking and awareness raising, to sensitisation and workshops, editing images, reporting, writing articles, researching, and forming partnerships. If there is a need, you may have a skill that fills it. Email now and make a difference...
Expanding access to modern energy services - Replicating, Scaling Up and Mainstreaming at the local level
UNDP report on lessons learned from community based energy initiatives Read report (pdf).....
Environmental and social implications of development finance to rutile mining
The 2006 Kono Agriculture Show & Trade Fair that never was?
Last year when the Talking Drum Studio announced on SLBS FM 90.2 in Kono that it would organise an agricultural show and trade fair in 2006 in Kono, the news was received with mixed feelings by the people, as to whether it would be a success or failure. Apparently bringing to mind the past successful agricultural shows when agriculture was a thing to boast of in the district. More....
Sandoh Farm land case goes to court
Ten people, believed to be authorities in the community have been charged to court relating to the farm land dispute for willfully damaging the farm land. More....
A snapshot of urban living in Freetown from Village Aid
"The city spreads up the sides of the steep hills, gashing bright squares of red soil out of the bright green bush. The steep, disorganised developments link old villages like Leicester and Gloucester. Beyond these one can see through a haze of wood smoke, the city landmarks, the circular Parliament building, Fourah Bay University above it.
