TYPE-SL Commends Plan-SL
The Executive Director of Talented Young People Everywhere-Sierra Leone (TYPE-SL), Ibrahim H. K. Shaid on Friday 13th “implementation of the Local Content Policy to be of immense benefit to Sierra Leoneans”.
On June, 2014 Ibrahim H. K. Shaid commended Plan Sierra Leone, as the backbone of the organization, for its relentless efforts to empower youths and immense contributions to the development of the country.
He disclosed that TYPE-SL, with headquarters at 15 Bai Bureh Road, Freetown, is a Non-Governmental Organization established on 6th October, 1998 to enhance youth and community empowerment in that part of the country by providing a conducive learning environment, electricity for pupils taking the Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE) and the West African Senior Secondary School Certification Examinations (WASSCE) to study.
Ibrahim Sahid Kamara further stated that TYPE-SL supports education, agriculture and health thus complementing Government’s effort in advancing the country.
According to the Executive Director, the organization is part of the Girl Education Challenge (GEC) funded by DFID through Plan-Sierra Leone revealing, “TYPE has implemented several projects including the European Commission-funded Malaria Project, provided electricity, teaching and learning materials to schools in Port Loko District and is operating in 189 schools that are part of the GEC.”
He further disclosed that Plan-SL is strategizing to train 189 community facilitators for Girls Study Group as part of the GEC project highlighting that one of the major challenges of the organization is the stiff competition for donor funds as a result of the stringent criteria to fund local NGOs.
Ibrahim Sahid Kamara lamented that this is frustrating as the organization cannot operate with limited funds as well as maintain quality staff.
He highlighted the increase in youth unemployment, appealed to international organizations to emulate Plan-SL in empowering youth organizations and expressed concern over the slow pace at which the Youth Ministry and the National Youth Commission are training and empowering youths as well as implementing youth programs that are nothing to write home about particularly implementation of the Local Content Policy for the benefit of Sierra Leoneans.
Ibrahim Sahid Kamara continued to call on Government to prioritize youth issues underscoring that youths account for over 60% of the population stressing, “if youths are not empowered, they cannot contribute to the development of the country.”
He went on to express appreciation to Plan Sierra Leone, its major donor, for its successes in capacitating youths, acclaimed the Global Fund for Children-USA, ADB and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security for their support to the organization and appealed to Government and international organizations for more support to implement youth and community empowerment projects.
Some youths interviewed by this medium revealed that they still do not have the skills for employment, that even those who have are unemployed and accused Government officials of hijacking some youth projects.
By Abdul R. Bedor Kamara
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