600 |
young Sierra Leoneans leading development as full-time professional volunteers |
75% |
of our former volunteers now in full time work or study following their engagment with us |
400,000 |
young people reached across 12 districts on a daily basis |
59% |
reduction in teenage pregnancy in schools we work in |
126 |
communities supported to continue results-targeted youth-led development |
Despite constituting a huge proportion of the population, young people are rarely included in decision-making processes in Sierra Leone. We're working to ensure that young Sierra Leoneans are able to take up substantial, meaningful roles in development.
Sierra Leone's high levels of unemployment are hitting young people the hardest. Over 70% of 15-24 year old are unemployed. We're working with young people to help them build sustainable livelihoods which are critical to ensuring macro-economic growth and avoiding the problematic effects of mass unemployment.
Although HIV infection rates are relatively low in Sierra Leone (1.5%) in comparison to many other developing countries, it has the potential - if not properly managed - to reach tipping point, leading to rapidly increasing prevalence rates. Sierra Leone does have an extremely high maternal mortality rate, and teenage pregnancies account for 40% of maternal deaths in the country. It's also a major contributory factor to the high number of girls dropping out of school. We're ensuring that young people have improved access to youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services and have the ability to make and act upon informed decisions.