YSLEEP aims to support young people in Sierra Leone to feel empowered for a brighter, healthier future.
'Leh wi joyne hane en wok fuh Gud en wi kontri'
Charity number: 1085562 BRIEF HISTORY OF YSLEEP
Following a memorial service at St Michael and All Angels Church in Croydon on Sunday 7th February 1999 a few Sierra Leoneans got together to help provide relief for affected people in Sierra Leon
e as a result of the civil war. During the months that followed, a container load of food, clothing, medical supplies and toys was shipped and distributed to the needy in Sierra Leone. Thankfully, within a year the carnage subsided and the group’s focus was changed and directed towards enabling young women to become self-sufficient participants in their community. To this end the name was changed when the Young Sierra Leoneans’ Educational and Empowerment Project (YSLEEP) became a fully fledged UK registered charity and was launched on the 12th February 2000. The village of Aberdeen, which is the hub of the country’s tourism trade, was chosen and a number of women have benefited from courses including:
• Gender Awareness and Development
• Small Scale Business Enterprise
• Gara Production
• Health Awareness/Education especially prevention of HIV/AIDS. This flagship project in Aberdeen was a micro-credit scheme which ran for 4 years from 2001 – 2005. It helped over 50 women and it was extended for a further 3 years. In 2008, the Aberdeen Progressive Association (APA) became an autonomous co-operative body allowing YSLEEP to retain advisory role. During the past 12 years YSLEEP has also provided annual Christmas treats for the poor and needy through its ”Buy a Bag of Rice” feeding programme. Initially 50kg and 25kg sacks of rice were distributed to various organisations working with the needy. However as a result of feedback, the package was changed to a combination of rice, cooking oil, tomato paste, onions and seasoning salts. Recipients include:
Connaught Hospital Children’s Ward, City of Rest, St Joseph’s Feeding Programme, Rokel Development Association, Freetown Cheshire Home, King George’s Home for the Aged, Neighbour in Need, Sierra Leone Ex-Servicemen’s Association, The Samaritans, The Amputees (Waterloo and Grafton),Western Neighbourhood, Freetown Anglican Diocese and more. Since December 2009, YSLEEP, with the assistance of Grassroots Gender Empowerment Movement (GGEM) in Freetown has organised children’s’ Christmas parties. In 2009, 150 Children from Mile 5 village benefited from this programme, in 2010, 180 Children from Leicester village and 220 children from Rokel Village in 2011. In October 2010 YSLEEP donated two Blood Pressure Monitors to the Intensive Care Unit at Connaught Hospital in Freetown. This was well received and members have seen them in use whilst visiting in Freetown. Membership: YSLEEP is pleased to announce the inauguration of YSLEEP Sierra Leone, starting with seven members. This branch of the organisation will be formally launched over Easter this year. It is the hope that in addition to overseeing the implementation of all YSLEEP (UK) projects, YSLEEP (SL) will also initiate projects and raise funds locally. At the moment, YSLEEP (UK) is seeking energetic and committed people with Sierra Leonean heritage or friends of Sierra Leone to join the organisation. We are doing a good job; come and be part of us. Members:
Mr Charlie Max-Macarthy, Mr George Akibo-Betts, Mrs Doreen Mengot, Mrs Daphne Horton, Mrs Comfort Max-Macarthy, Mrs Violet McCormack, Ms P Wilson and Ms Lesley Carr
