MID-TERM EVALUATION FINAL REPORT - Taksvärkki ry · MID-TERM EVALUATION FINAL REPORT ... EVD EBOLA Virus Disease ... The project to a large extent has achieved its objectives in

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MID-TERMEVALUATION FINALREPORT

“GivingVoicetotheYouthofSierraLeone“‐project

12/15/2016

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TableofContentsAcronyms and abbreviations .................................................................................................................. 2

Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................. 3

List of figures ........................................................................................................................................... 4

1.0 Executive summary ..................................................................................................................... 5

2.0 Background ....................................................................................................................................... 8

3.0 Objective of the Mid Term Evaluation .............................................................................................. 8

4.0 Evaluation methodology ................................................................................................................... 9

4.1 Survey Design ................................................................................................................................ 9

4.2 Data collectors training ................................................................................................................. 9

4.3 Sample and sample selection ........................................................................................................ 9

4.4 Data collection ............................................................................................................................ 10

4.5 Data analysis and Reporting ................................................................................................. 10

5.0 Survey Limitations/Constraints ....................................................................................................... 10

6.0 Survey findings and discussions ...................................................................................................... 11

6.1 Bio Data of respondents ............................................................................................................. 11

6.1 Improved life skills and education among youth ........................................................................ 11

6.1.1 Training in life skills .............................................................................................................. 12

6.1.2 Training in livelihood skills ................................................................................................... 12

6.1.3 Perception in relation to improved living ............................................................................ 13

6.2 Second chance education ........................................................................................................... 14

6.2.1 Second chance education support ....................................................................................... 14

6.2.2 Change experienced by youth as a result of the second chance education ........................ 15

6.2.3 Possibilities to continue second chance education after CCYA support .............................. 15

6.3 Increased engagement between duty bearers and right holders (youth) at the project

locations ............................................................................................................................................ 16

6.4 Improved policy environment for youth involvement in decision making processes at local and

national levels ................................................................................................................................... 17

6.5 Human right promotion by youth ............................................................................................... 17

6.6 Relevance of the project on communities and beneficiaries ..................................................... 17

6.7 Micro Finance given to groups as startup ................................................................................... 18

6.8 Stories of change ......................................................................................................................... 18

6.8.1 Change on CCYA as a result of the project ........................................................................... 19

6.8.2 Change on individual youth in the community .................................................................... 19

6.8.3 Change on communities at local or national level ............................................................... 20

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6.9 Sustainability of the project after funding .................................................................................. 20

6.9.1 Sustainability of Second chance education ......................................................................... 20

6.9.2 Sustainability of Micro‐ finance operations in the communities after the project ............. 21

6.10 Area to be strengthened ........................................................................................................... 21

6.11 Different needs and roles of persons with disabilities within the project framework ............. 21

6.12 Unplanned activities undertaken .............................................................................................. 22

6.13 Suggestions for improvement on the implementation strategy .............................................. 22

6.14 Conclusions and recommendations .......................................................................................... 22

7.0 Appendixes .................................................................................................................................... 0

Annex 7a: FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION OUTCOME ‐ SELENGA CHIEFDOM BO DISTRICT ................... 0

Annex 7b: FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION OUTCOME ‐ TIKONKO CHIEFDOM BO DISTRICT ................... 7

Annex 7c: FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE – BUYA ROMENDE CHIEFDOM PORTLOKO

DISTRICT ............................................................................................................................................ 14

Annex 7d: FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION OUTTCOME – KAMAJEI CHIEFDOM MOYAMBA DISTRICT . 21

Annex 7e: FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION OUTCOME– MASIMERA CHIEFDOM PORTLOKO DISTRICT . 27

Annex 7f: FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION – WATERLOO COMMUNITY ................................................ 34

Annex 7g: FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE – DASSE CHIEFDOM MOYAMBA DISTRICT. ............. 41

7.2. Stories of change ........................................................................................................................ 48

ANNEX7. 2a: STORIES OF CHANGE ‐ BO DISTRICT SELENGA CHIEFDOM .......................................... 48

ANNEX 7.2b: STORY OF CHANGE – TIKONKO CHIEFDOM BO DISTRICT ............................................ 51

ANNEX 7. 2c: STORY OF CHANGE – MASIMERA CHIEFDOM PORTLOKO DISTRICT ........................... 53

ANNEX 7.2d: STORY OF CHANGE – KAMANJEI CHIEFDOM MOYAMBA DISTRICT ............................ 55

ANNEX 7. 2e: STORY OF CHANGE – DASSE CHIEFDOM MOYAMBA DISTRICT .................................. 57

ANNEX 7.2f: STORY OF CHANGE – BUYA ROMENDE PORTLOKO DISTRICT ...................................... 59

ANNEX 7.2g: STORY OF CHANGE – WATERLOO COMMUNITY ......................................................... 61

7.3. Key informant Interviews and outcomes ................................................................................... 63

ANNEX 7.3a: KEY INFORMANT INTERVIEW – DASSE CHIEFDOM MOYAMBA DISTRICT ................... 63

ANNEX 7.3b: KEY INFORMANT INTERVIEW GUIDE – MASIMERA CHIEFDOM PORTLOKO DISTRICT. 66

Annex 7.4: List of selected chiefdoms indicating number of Focus group and Key Informant

Interviews and number of participants ............................................................................................ 69

Annex 7.5: List of Desk Review Documents ...................................................................................... 71

AcronymsandabbreviationsAPRM Africa Peer Review Mechanism

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BECE Basic Education Certificate Examination

CCYA Centre for Coordination of Youth Activities

CDC Centre for Disease Control

CTA Community Teachers Association

DC District Councils

EU European Union

EVD EBOLA Virus Disease

FSA Financial Services Association

HIV/AIDS Human Immune Virus/Acquired Immuno Deficiency Symdrom

NAYCOM National Youth Commission

M & E Monitoring and Evaluation

MEST Ministry of Education Science and Technology

MFA Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

MOYA Ministry of Youth Affairs

NGO Non ‐ Governmental Organization

ODW Operation a Day’s Work

PRM Peer Review Mechanism

TEC Technical Education Commission

TVET Technical Vocational Education and Training

UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund

WASSCE West Africa Senior Secondary Certificate Examination

Acknowledgements

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I would like to thank the following people for the input and support they gave me in the course of

this study. I am particularly grateful to Ngolo Katta (Executive Director), Abigal Stevens (Project

Officer) for field data collection supervision.

I would also like to thank the enumerators for their commitment and effort in the field: Issac B.

Charley, Amidu Thorley, Luciatu Y Mattia, Abdulai Mansaray, Rosaline Kaifala, Abubakarr Konuwa,

Bridget Sandi, Mustapha Sheriff, Omaru Sengu, Mustapha Kawa, Mohamed L Sheriff, Francis N

Ngegba, Atif Musa and Augusta A. Ademokula of Community Action for Rural Development.

I also thank Senja Vaatainen‐Chimputu for her feedback during data collection tools development

and her comments and suggestions in finalizing the report.

Sagestine L Gandi Consultant +232 76 642583 [email protected]

ListoffiguresNo Title of figure Page Number

Figure 1 Bio‐data of respondents 11

Figure 2 Percentage of youth trained in life skills 12

Figure 3 Percentage of youth trained in livelihood skills 12

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Figure 4 Youth perception to improved living 13

Figure 5 Percentage of out of school youth who received various support

14

Figure 6 Percentage of teenage mothers who received support in second chance education

14

Figure 7 Change experienced by youth as a result of second chance education

15

Figure 8 Possibilities for second chance education 16

1.0 ExecutivesummaryThis is a Mid Term evaluation conducted on ODW and CCYA 2014 development corporation project

funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland. The project over‐ all goal is to empower Sierra

Leonean youth to engage meaningfully in decision making processes that affect their lives. The

project is implemented in Bo, Moyamba, Port Loko and Waterloo.

The objective of the Mid Term Evaluation is to:

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Evaluate the activities and outcomes carried out and achieved within the project and

provide understanding of the usefulness and effectiveness of the approaches and methods

used in the project

Provide recommendations for the phase out period of the project that starts in the

beginning of 2017

Provide insight into the administration of the project and the organizational capacity

building activities conducted to capacitate CCYA’s staff during the project period and their

effectiveness, and suggest further development areas.

A combination of evaluation methods was used including desk review of relevant documents

and reports, designing questionnaire and other data collection tools, training of data collectors,

data collection (both quantitative and qualitative) from selected youth in selected chiefdoms,

analyses using Micro‐soft XL and World. The key findings include:

Improved Lifeskills and education among youth.

Greater 70% of the youth had training in all life skills conducted during the project implementation

incluidng HIV/AIDS and Ebola, sexual and gender based violence, reproductive health, early

marriage, drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, prostitution and disability issues. On a similar note also

greater 60% had training in micro‐enterprise development, literacy, social change and leadership

skills, numeracy and agro‐based skills. As a result of the skills acquired 57%,55% and 49% of youth

agreed commpletely that they are able to buy their dress, pay medical bills and pay for their

entertainment respectively.

Second chance education for out of school youth and teenage girls

The project provided examination support, school materials, uniforms, lessons by community

teachers, radio listening and learning facility during the period of Ebola to out of school and teenage

girls. Youth report of regaining self‐worth and or self‐esteem, respect by family members and

communities as a result of returning to school. All of them are willing to continue with their

education as they see it as a way to building their future.

Engagement between Duty Bearers and Right Holders (Youth)

The project has enhanced duty bearers (chiefs, tribal authorities, village headman, and religious

leaders) and youth in the communities to engage themselves and topical issues discussed include

teenage pregnancy and how to tackle it, drug and child abuse, development and implementation of

community by‐laws during Ebola disease, community security including curfew and control of theft

and community development including town cleaning.

Improved policy to allow youth participation in decision making

Youth and duty bearers are working together to define and implement community by‐laws and

youth are made Task Force to monitor these by‐laws in the communities.

Human right promotion by youth

The level of knowledge of community persons on human rights before the CCYA project was said to

be low. There were lots of rights abuses including teenage pregnancy, early marriage, child abuse,

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rape and sexual penetration. The awareness raising has increased community knowledge on human

rights and the abuses have reduced.

Relevance of project on beneficiaries and communities

The project is seen by beneficiaries as a real need as it has engaged some youth in small scale

businesses and others are enrolled in school. These youth before the intervention were mostly idling

as reported by focus groups. Their capacities are built and the performance in public exams (BECE) of

those in school is rated high.

Micro Finance given to groups as start up

Micro‐finance was given to youth cluster groups and distributed individually amounting SLL 200,

000.0 per youth. The fund is utilized in different ways by the beneficiaries (small scale business

enterprise and agro‐based activities). This has helped to stop youth borrowing of money from

outside the communities with high interest rates. The intervention is reported to help youth take

care of their needs.

Stories of change

A number of stories of change were recorded by youth and the partner as a result of the project. The

capacity building has helped CCYA to strategically engage other partners/Donors. CCYA has new

projects with new partners. It has helped with efficient use of the project resources, lots of

documentation and shared learning with beneficiaries. Similarly Magenda – a female youth age 28

years in Sembehun community‐ Selenga chiefdom reports of a change in her financial standing

including able to buy her dress and for her husband, give loan to people, pay school fees for her

children, improved social status and ultimately being in peace with her husband.

Sustainability measures

For sustainability of the project, communities have established Task Forces to monitor performance

of the micro‐finance activities for the information of the elders to advice appropriately. Similarly

village savings “Osusu” are formed which provides loans with small interest that are distributed at

the end of each year.

Area to be strengthened

There is need for CCYA to do more policy engagement and dialoguing with the Ministry of Education

Science and Technology (MEST), Parliamentary Committee on education, Technical Education

Commission (TEC) and the District Councils for policy change for girl child second chance education

and a reflection of these in the national education policy.

Conclusions and recommendations

The project to a large extent has achieved its objectives in given voice to the youth of Sierra

Leone. It has increased on their knowledge and understanding on human rights thus

reducing human right abuses and excesses in the communities, enactment of community by‐

laws to guide the process, improved relationship with duty bearers making a way for

inclusive planning for development work, promoted second chance education with an

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admirable strategy bringing back life into the vulnerable teenage girls and out of school

youth in the rural areas and has promoted enterprise development among youth which has

rekindle their livelihood with focus for a better future.

It is recommended that the project duly consider implementation of evident based advocacy

on the issue of second chance education for youth and the benefit this will bring to national

development in general and rural community development in particular.

2.0BackgroundODW and its Sierra Leonean partner organization CCYA have been working together since 2012

promoting youth participation, second chance education and improved livelihoods in Western Area,

Port Loko, Moyamba and Bo districts. The present development co‐operation project started in

2014. Funding for the project comes from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland (MFA) and

Finnish school children through the fundraising campaign “Operation a Day´s Work Finland”.

The overall goal of the project is to empower Sierra Leonean youth to engage meaningfully in

decision making processes that affect their lives.

This is done through: Improving life skills and education among the targeted youth , Increasing

engagement between duty bearers and right holders (youth) at the project locations, Improving

policy environment for youth involvement in decision making processes at local and national levels

and Improving organizational capacity of CCYA to deliver the project results and to document the

project outcomes and impacts.

The project partners are currently planning the phase out period of the project. The evaluation is

expected to provide valuable information and lessons learnt for the planning of the exit phase of the

project.

3.0ObjectiveoftheMidTermEvaluationThe purpose of this mid‐term evaluation is to give an analysis of the project implementation during

the first two and half years, and give recommendations on how to improve or redirect the activities

to better further the objectives of CCYA in the future and how to strengthen the sustainability of the

current project strategies and outcomes during the phase out period of the project, starting in 2017.

Year 2016 is the third and final year of the current project plan.

Specific objectives for the mid‐term evaluation:

1) Evaluate the activities and outcomes carried out and achieved within the project and

provide understanding of the usefulness and effectiveness of the approaches and methods

used in the project

1) Provide recommendations for the phase out period of the project that starts in the

beginning of 2017

2) Provide insight into the administration of the project and the organizational capacity

building activities conducted to capacitate CCYA’s staff during the project period and their

effectiveness, and suggest further development areas.

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4.0EvaluationmethodologyThe survey used a combination of methods for the designing, collection, analysis and reporting

4.1SurveyDesignThe evaluation includes a desk study of the project documents, reports and background materials

(Refer to annex 7.5 for details) as well as field work. A structured questionnaire was developed using

the project logical framework indicators as were proposed to be achieved after implementation.

These included youth acquisition of life and livelihood skills, improvement in their living as a result of

use of skills, second chance education for out of school youth and rural teenage mothers and how it

will be sustained after project. Similarly focus group interview guide was also developed using key

project thematic areas (1) increased engagement between duty bearers and right holders (youth) at

the project locations (2) improved policy environment for youth involvement in decision making

processes at local and national levels (3) human right promotion by youth (4) relevance of the

project on beneficiaries and communities (5) micro‐finance given to youth cluster groups as start‐up

package(6) sustainability of the project after funding (7) suggestions for implementation strategy

improvement. Key informant interview guide was done around youth enrolment, support and

relevance of second chance education, performance of youth in second chance education,

measuring any significant change and importance to the youth and suggestions for improvement. A

tool to gather information on most significant change on beneficiaries, communities and the

implementing partner CCYA as a result of the project was developed.

4.2Datacollectorstraining A total of 15 data collectors including one data analyst recruited from experienced field workers had

a two days training on the questionnaires where pretesting and finalization of the tools was done

taking into consideration valid comments from the field. The training increased data Collectors

knowledge on application of the tools, the objective of the survey and its expected outcomes. It

further enhanced participatory planning for data collection at the field level.

4.3SampleandsampleselectionThe survey targeted seven out of ten operational chiefdoms in the southern, northern and western

area which were randomly selected. In Bo District (Selenga and Tikonko chiefdoms), Moyamba

District (Dasse and Kamajai chiefdoms), Port Loko District (Masimra and Buya Romende chiefdoms)

and Waterloo in the Western Area. A total of one hundred and fifty (150) youth were randomly

selected from the youth cluster list in these chiefdoms for individual structured interview. Another

one hundred and ten (110 – males 55, females 55) participated in eleven youth focus group

discussions at community level. The representation included youth leaders, chairladies and

assistants, secretaries to the group, public relations officer and other members. Nine (9) duty bearer

focus group discussions with ten representatives each totaling ninety (90)including paramount chief,

speakers, town chiefs, tribal authorities, women leaders, court chairmen were conducted. Twelve

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(12) key informants were selected from among community teachers, head teachers and principals

who played a major role in the implementation of second chance education. (Refer to annex 7.4 for

further details).

4.4DatacollectionA team of Data Collectors were assigned to each of the selected chiefdom. A total of twenty five (25)

structured questionnaires, three (3) focus groups, two (2) key informant interviews and two (2) most

significant change stories were completed by each team members in their assigned chiefdom within

five days. The teams leaders provided routine supervision to cross check each question in the survey

tool and ensure they are answered correctly for the purpose of data quality control. CCYA Project

Officer and the Consultant performed overall regional supervision and ensure collection of

completed questionnaires after the data collection.

4.5 DataanalysisandReportingAn analysis team was set up and data was analyzed using Microsoft XL spread sheet. The Consultant

provided data analysis frame using the developed questionnaires and guides. Double data inputting

was done to cross check and validate the correctness of the outcome against each data set. For the

focus group discussions, key informant interview outcomes and stories of most significant change

these are entered directly into Microsoft Word. The report is presented with its annexes attached to

provide additional details.

5.0SurveyLimitations/ConstraintsThe survey data collection was prolong amidst sudden fuel shortage and price increase leading to

intense resource constraint on the Consultant for data collectors to reach all sampled communities

and youth.

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6.0Surveyfindingsanddiscussions

6.1BioDataofrespondents

Figure 1a and b (Bio data of respondents) Source: Survey data The majority (59%) of the respondents who participated in the survey are females. Although the

survey selection captured all categories of youth who participated in the project the majority (70%)

of them selected are out of school youth and 21% teenage mothers (Girls who have given birth

before 18 years).

6.1ImprovedlifeskillsandeducationamongyouthThe survey analyzed youth skill acquisition in life skills, livelihood skills and their perception in

relation to improve living as a result of the skills acquired.

41

59

Percentage of respondents by sex

Male

Female

5

70

4

1

21

Percentage of repondents by category

Teenagemothers

Out of schoolyouth

Person withDisability

Commercialsex worker

Single parent

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6.1.1TraininginlifeskillsFigure 2: Percent of youth trained in life skills

Source: Survey data

The majority of the youth interviewed had training in all lifeskills with percentages of 94% in

HIV/AIDS and Ebola respectively, 93% sexual and gender based violence, 92% in reproductive health,

90% in early marriage, 89% in drug abuse, 85% in teenage pregnancy, 82% in prostitution and 78%

in disability issues. On average every youth got seven trainings out of nine.

6.1.2TraininginlivelihoodskillsCCYA during the project implementation conducted training for youth in livelihood skills to

capacitate them. The figure below provides analysis of the training.

Figure3: Percent of youth trained in livelihood skills

0

20

40

60

80

10094 92 89 82 85 78

90 93 94

6 8 11 18 15 2210 7 6

Percentage

of yo

uth

Lifeskills specifications

Training in Lifeskills

Yes

No

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Source: Survey Data

Analysis indicate that 85% of the interviewed youth had training in micro‐enterprise development,

81% in literacy and social change and leadership skills respectively, 78% in numeracy and 61% agro‐

based skills.

6.1.3PerceptioninrelationtoimprovedlivingFigure 4: Youth perception to improved living

Source: Survey Data

Youth perception in relation to improved living as a result of the skills acquired was gauged against

some seven standards of improved living. Analysis indicate 57%, 55%, 49% of the interviewed youth

agreed completely that they are able to buy their dress, pay medical bills and also pay for their

entertainment respectively. The situation before the project informed that no youth was able to do

these by themselves. A greater percent (57%) however indicated that they do not agree that they

are able to pay for room for their living. Similarly 50% indicated that they agree partly that they are

able to provide three meals a day. (See figure 4 for details).

78 81 8561

81

22 19 1539

19

020406080100

Percent of yo

uth

Livelihood skills specification

Training in Livelihood skills

Yes

No

35

57

28

5549

36

50

2615

2922

27

15 17

57

15

2937

0102030405060708090

100

Percent of yo

uth

Improved living standards

Perception to improved living

I agreed completely

I agreed partly

I do not agree

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6.2SecondchanceeducationThe project supported second chance education for out of school youth and teenage mothers in the

communities.

6.2.1SecondchanceeducationsupportFigure 5: Percentage of out of school youth who receive various supports

Source: Survey data

Analysis indicates that out of school youth enrolled in second chance education received a number

of supports from CCYA. The majority (96%) had examination support to facilitate youth reach their

examination centers and further enhance the enabling environment for them to read for their

exams. Furthermore 88% and 84% got school materials and others including lessons by community

teachers, radio listening/learning facility particularly during the period of Ebola. Only a small percent

(4%) indicate haven received uniform. (Refer figure 5 for details).

In total 5% of the interviewees were teenage mothers. Similarly the analysis on teenage mothers

interviewed in the second chance education revealed that the majority (100%) of them received

school materials and 80% got school uniform. (Refer to figure 6 below for details)

Figure 6: Percent of teenage mothers who received support in second chance education

88

416 20

9684

020406080100

Percent

Type of support received

Percent of out of school youth who got support

100

20 200

40

80

0

50

100

Percent

Type of support

Percent of Teenage mothers who received support

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Source: Survey data

6.2.2ChangeexperiencedbyyouthasaresultofthesecondchanceeducationYouth (out of school and teenage mothers) reported a combination of changes in their lives that

they have experienced as a result of the second chance education. 100% reported respect by family

and community members respectively, 96% and 92% indicate respect by friends and regaining self‐

worth and or self‐esteem. A smaller percentage (4%) indicated “moral” in the local parlance meaning

been placed at another better level in society. (Refer to figure 7 for details).

Figure 7: Change experienced by youth as a result of second chance education

Source: Survey data

6.2.3PossibilitiestocontinuesecondchanceeducationafterCCYAsupportAnalysis indicate that all (100%) of the out of school youth and teenage mothers are willing to

continue the second chance education after CCYA support as they see it as a way to building their

future. The greater majority (56%) have parents and or family members who are willing to pay, 24%

if payment is continued by other party including NGO or Local Councils in the area, 12% if

Government pays and 4% of the youth are willing to pay for themselves. The project needs to link

with the other possible options (Central and local government authorities to seek for this option to

work otherwise an approximated 26% of the youth will find it difficult to continue. (Refer to figure 7

below for details).

Figure 8: Possibilities for second chance education continuity by youth

92100 100 96

4

0102030405060708090100

Regain selfworth and orself esteem

Respect byfamily

members

Respect bycommunitymembers

Respect byfriends

Others(moral)

Percent

Type of change experienced as a result of second chance education

Percent of youth that experienced the change

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6.3Increasedengagementbetweendutybearersandrightholders(youth)attheprojectlocationsThe understanding of youth/duty bearer engagement platform was seen by majority of the

communities as a new one and few not very clear to call it new. Focus group discussions indicate

that duty bearers including chiefdom speaker, town chiefs, Imams and pastors, ward committee

members, women leaders and youth are engaging themselves in the chiefdoms as a result of the

new enabling atmosphere created to facilitate this process. They meet during chiefdom committee

meetings and indications are that they have met ranging from two to three times over the last three

months. Duty bearers have given the youth the opportunity to lead some development functions

including community work and youth agreed that they have sent in representatives to participate in

decision making on crucial issues. During the engagements, it was revealed that topical issues

discussed include teenage pregnancy and how to tackle it, drug and child abuse, development and

implementation of community by‐laws during Ebola disease, community security including curfew

and control of theft, community development including town cleaning.

The platform is noted among the communities as beneficial as it is promoting mutual understanding

between the youth and the duty bearers.

Youth focus group discussion in Tikonko chiefdom had this to say: “The attitudes of community

leaders have changed towards the youth such as, youth are encouraged to attend chiefdom

committee meetings and other important gatherings. There is freedom of speech e.g. discussing

change in community work schedules and female youth are always represented in meetings”.

Similarly Focus group discussions of Duty Bearers in Masimera chiefdom reported this:” There is a

platform established to engage youth. If we leave the floor open, teenage pregnancy will spiral. We

have closed in with sanctions. Yes, we have engaged youth on crucial issues like early marriages,

teenage pregnancy, informed them on sanctions recommended by government and chiefdom

authorities, road maintenance and bridges repair and all youth to own cassava farm. We met only

three times in October Month”.

24

56

12

4 4

Percentage of youth who proposed option

If payment and supportcontinue by other party

Parents or families arewilling to pay

Government pays

I will pay for myself

Others (Community pays)

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In another engagement a youth focus group Konta Line in the Masimira chiefdom revealed this: ”Yes we have engaged duty bearers for advice and share information on crucial issues affecting the youth welfare and development. Six meetings have been held over the last three months. Topical issues discussed were: update them on the use of the Le4, 000, 000 given by CCYA and also report on the visit of strangers in line with state and chiefdom policies. Yes, a free flow of communication now exists. Yes it has now united us, it has taught us to save for the future and it has created awareness among us. Now our rights are respected and the elders no longer impose their will on us. They take the lead and we follow them willingly. This also has led to reduce restriction on our freedom and joint consultations”.

Some changes were further noted in the communities as reported by youth task forces including:

“Yes, because we always see changes while doing regular monitoring like the reduction of teenage

pregnancy, bad attitudes like gambling, fighting in the street, gender based violence and the

progress youth are making in their businesses”.

6.4ImprovedpolicyenvironmentforyouthinvolvementindecisionmakingprocessesatlocalandnationallevelsFocus group discussions and analysis indicate improved policy environment especially at the local

level (community and village levels) to help mould youth in their behaviour. These laws are put in

place with youth participation. A duty bearer focus discussions in Buya Romende chiefdom in Port

Loko District shared this: “Yes there is a policy. At one time the youth were engaged in decision that

were affecting them in the community like the use of abusive languages, gender based violence,

street fighting (youth are mainly involved) and it was agreed by youth and duty bearers that any one

violating these laws will pay a fine of Le10, 000. Since youth like solving dispute between the young

people they were asked to act as a Task Force to monitor these by‐laws in the community”.

Participation in Council meetings was agreed by some and others have never sent a representation

to such meetings as they claimed no invitation has been extended in this direction. There is need to

reconnect the youth clusters with the chiefdom youth committees.

6.5HumanrightpromotionbyyouthHuman right promotion was part of the project activities undertaken by youth in their clusters.

Mentions show that youth themselves and communities’ levels of understanding on human right in

general was low and the specifics including women’s right in marriages, child right was very poor.

“Before the intervention of CCYA, we have little knowledge about human right. But with CCYA

intervention on this project, many people are now aware of human right issues and how to address

some of them. Right abuses like teenage pregnancy, early marriages, child abuse, rape and sexual

penetrations were rampant. Through the awareness and sensitization by CCYA, it has drastically

reduced. Yes, some people were thinking that it was not a crime, but now many are afraid of

committing such crimes”. This was noted by a Duty Bearer focus group in Buya Romende chiefdom

in the Port Loko District.

6.6RelevanceoftheprojectoncommunitiesandbeneficiariesThe project in all its form was seen as relevant to addressing the community needs. This has to do

with lack of support for youth including girl child education, capacity building of youth, small scale

businesses, pushing for rights that remained a difficult element in Sierra Leone society and bridging

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the gap between duty bearers and right holders in this case the youth. Analysis of focus group

discussions revealed that these were real needs.

“Yes the project was a real need, because the youths were idle before the intervention of the

project, but now some are engaged in small scale business while others have been enrolled in

schools to further their education. Our children especially the girls were not performing well at

school but with CCYA intervention using the radio learning programs, the lessons and the support

given to them, they have focused on their academic work and for the past years, we had 95% passes

in BECE with requirement for Senior Secondary School (SSS I). Yes, the project has capacitated the

youths as a result of which they are now engaged in small scale businesses and they are doing well

by paying their children’s school fees and given them other supports”. This was revealed by gain

Duty Bearers Focus group in Buya Romende chiefdom.

6.7MicroFinancegiventogroupsasstartupCCYA in her endeavor to build youth and their resilience to poverty, micro‐finance support was

provided to youth clusters and their membership amounting SLL 200,000.0 per member. They are

engaged in a number of trades including petty trading and agro‐based enterprises. The fund further

served as a stop gap measure for youth who had earlier on acquire community loans with huge

interest to support youth farming activities during the seasons.

Youth mention some challenges in running the micro finance ranging from transport cost to low

repayment rate of those who loan the money. Indications are that some (8/11) interviewed are

making savings while others are not. Those making savings are keeping their monies into accounts

with the nearest Commercial Bank.

Youth report of lot of changes such as able to provide basic needs like food, shelter, clothing,

payment of school fees and also renting a room. The fund has also enabled them to be recognized to

take part in certain decision making processes.

This was a report by a youth focus group in Gondama community, Kamajai chiefdom in the

Moyamba District. “Yes we received the money given to us as micro finance. The targeted group

members got the support. The support provided by CCYA was money given to us as micro finance

which was Le4, 000,000.0 per cluster group. The money was shared as micro finance startup which is

used in different ways by the beneficiaries. Some used it in their agro based activities and others in

small scale business enterprise. Before now, some of us used to borrow money in other communities

and pay back with huge interest. So we find it very difficult to have much profit to take care of our

needs. But since the intervention of this project, we are now capable of taking care of all our needs”.

The money given was too small. Transportation is also another big challenge faced in running micro

finance. Increase in the price of our local commodities is also another problem. Lack of trade center

and the repayment by members is very difficult. No, we are (3/11) not doing any savings at all.

6.8StoriesofchangeThe survey collected a number of stories of change as a result of the project on individual

beneficiaries, communities and the implementing partner (CCYA). The essence of the stories of

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change is to bring out such value(s) as the beneficiaries see added on to their lives, work. (Refer to

Appendix 2 for more Stories of change)

6.8.1ChangeonCCYAasaresultoftheprojectThe capacity of CCYA was built to roll out the project to achieve the objectives. The training targeted

Community Animators, project officers and finance staff. The package delivered included project

cycle management‐understanding the logical framework, proposal writing, project report writing,

doing stories, monitoring and evaluation (M&E). The financial management training included Quick

Books. The experience and skills are utilized to sustained Global Fund project which has been

extended for another 2 years and it is HIV/AIDS awareness for youth, helped build partnership with

European Union (EU) and Action Aid which has also brought in a new 3 year project “Business

enterprise development, financial literacy, psychosocial counseling and trauma” and another project

with Search for Common Grounds –“ United for greater Government participation”.

Indeed the capacity building has helped CCYA to strategically engage other partners/Donors that

could otherwise be said to have been difficult. It has helped with efficient use of the project

resources, lots of documentation, shared learning with beneficiaries. This is coming with inner feed‐

back to add on to the project.

6.8.2ChangeonindividualyouthinthecommunitySome of the stories are presented as they are with initial difficult and rough situations for youth to

cope if not for the CCYA intervention.

I am Isatu Moseray, 28 years old female youth in Sembehun community, Selenga chiefdom. At age

ten I lost my father and things were very difficult for my mother and four of my younger ones. So our

mother decided that we change our location to Damballa which was our mother home town. When

we came to Damballa my mother’s family members were all engaged in serious farming and in the

production and selling of palm wine. So we all joined them in the farming activities and the palm

wine business. No one of us went to school until one day my mother introduced me to one of her

sisters at Sembehun. At Sembehun the chief happens to fall in love with me and I accepted his

proposal. I was around 15 years old when I got married to the town chief of Sembehun village. After

given him three children, I began to lose my beauty; he then went and married another young and

beautiful girl by the name of Mangenda who now is his state.

I came to know about the CCYA project through one of the stakeholders in this village. She even

recommended me as one of the members. So we were called upon for the first meeting at Damballa

where I was appointed as the group number two leader at Sembehun for the CCYA project. I have

undergone a lot of training on human rights issues, and was also given Le200, 000 to engage myself

in business so that I can forget about the past. Even when others were seeing this money as a small

amount, I looked at it as I was given a million. Even when I did not go to school, I can now proudly

stand and say I am a whole fish supplier in this community and a banker to be precise. I am the one

now supporting my children with education, and I believe that they too will support me in returns. I

am exposed, well known and respected by my fellow women in this community. In fact I am the

chairlady for group two in Sembehun community. For this, even my husband and his wife now

regard me as an important person in their lives and the community at large. As I am talking to you, I

20 | P a g e

can now buy dresses for myself, my children, Mama and even my husband the chief. I am now

contributing to the development of this community by extending loan to others and they pay me

with little interest. At times I give them money and in return they give me rice (Barter system) which

I take to Bo to sell.

This story is very much important to me because: There is now peace between me and my husband. Even my younger ones now see me as a mother to them even though our mother is still alive. People loan from me and pay back with interest. I am now a stakeholder/chairlady. I am respected by my mate and she calls me “Ngor”‐ meaning Elder.

6.8.3ChangeoncommunitiesatlocalornationallevelAt the national level the project has influenced a lot of policy issues including advocating for

increased budget allocation to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and the National Youth Commission

(NAYCOM), influenced youth representation and participation in decision processes in the EBOLA

recovery process at District and national levels and in the APRM process.

One major youth marginalization is due to the absence of youth representation and participation in

decision making processes including those that affect their lives. The project has led to youth

discourses brought into national agenda like the role youth played in the revision of the national

youth policy, development of the National Youth Development Blue Print and reviewing the 1991

Constitution. Youth were represented in the Burial Team and were part of the chiefdom Task Forces

to monitor Ebola by‐laws including security checks. This has reduced acrimony between youth and

government as there is now a space to add their voice to national development.

At chiefdom level the youth clusters are organized and to some greater extent relate with

authorities, councils and other stakeholders.

6.9SustainabilityoftheprojectafterfundingA number of sustainability measures are mentioned in place to ensure the project continues after

CCYA funding.

6.9.1SustainabilityofSecondchanceeducationThe community teachers are in the community. These are members residing with the youth in the

communities teaching in various schools where second chance support was provided. Some school

communities especially in the Port Loko District indicate that incentive mechanism will be put in

place by community elders to encourage him to continue the teaching. The support can be in the

form of providing free labor to help in the teachers farm work. This however requires a strong and

effective coordination mechanism at that level to make it operational and effective. CCYA needs to

look into this.

Mentions indicate that some parents (56%) of the youth are ready to pay for their children

schooling.

Similarly the school Board and the Community Teachers Association (CTA) with the old boys of Dasse

Agriculture Junior Secondary school in Mano in the Moyamba District intend to organize scholarship

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scheme at some locations to support the second chance education. This is a laudable idea. However

CCYA need to follow this up as there may be more to it than said.

6.9.2SustainabilityofMicro‐financeoperationsinthecommunitiesaftertheprojectYouth in some of the communities have established Task Forces to monitor performance of the

micro‐finances activities. They will report back to the elders who will provide appropriate and

necessary advice all in the interest of continuity.

Similarly the micro finance groups have formed “Osusu” which is a local saving mechanism with

shares paid for. The Osusu will provide loan services to its members and beyond with affordable

interest rate. The members in their individual micro businesses will make savings that are distributed

at the end of the year.

For individual youth in agro‐based businesses, they have formed farmer based groups to cultivate

quick impact crops including pepper, eggplant and groundnut to bring in more cash on a three

monthly basis so as to continue their micro‐finance operations.

6.10AreatobestrengthenedOne major area for strengthening is the “engagement around evidence based policy advocacy”.

Specifically there is need for a policy around girl child education‐“second chance education for girls

especially for rural girls”. CCYA is already part of Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET)

committee. They however need more policy engagement and dialoguing with the Ministry of

Education Science and Technology (MEST), Parliamentary Committee on education, Technical

Education Commission (TEC) and the District Councils for policy change for girl child second chance

education and a reflection of these in the national education policy.

There is further need to strengthen evident based advocacy and best practice documentation to

enhance effective and sustainable advocacy for policy change.

6.11DifferentneedsandrolesofpersonswithdisabilitieswithintheprojectframeworkThe project recognized the different needs and roles of persons with disabilities during the

implementation and explored measures to promote their social participation, including support to

education and employment through life skills, livelihood skills training and micro grant initiatives.

CCYA collaborated with the National Youth Disability Network and Hope for the Blind to ensure

meeting various needs of the PWDs to enhance their voices.

PWDs were trained and supported in livelihood initiative activities in both the peri‐ urban Western

Rural district and the rural district areas. Several trainings in Transformation Leadership and social

change were conducted for them to be able to lead an evidence based advocacy on the

implementation of the Persons with Disability Law passed in 2011. It would be recalled that the

Persons with Disability Act 2011 is an act to establish a National Commission for Persons with

Disability, to prohibit discrimination against persons with disability, achieve equalization of

opportunities for persons with disability and to provide for their related matters. According to the

Act, the Commission was established to ensure the wellbeing of persons with disability. The two

groups (Hope and Disability Network) after the various trainings led very strong evidence based

advocacy on the implementation of the Persons with Disability Act 2011. As a result almost of the

22 | P a g e

Ministry, Departments and Agencies have officially now established a PWD desk and the President of

the National Youth Disability Network for E.g. Santigie Kamara is the PWD desk Officer for the

Ministry for Youth Affairs and a Board Member of the National Youth Commission (NAYCOM). The

PWDs groups worked with the National Disability Commission which has been set up and operating

and they supported the groups to popularize the PWDs Law 2011 and also advocated for the

implementation.

Using the rights based approach, CCYA integrated Persons with disability issues in the project frame

to promote their rights, welfare through the implementation of the Persons With Disability Act. In

most of the trainings efforts were made not to discriminate again them making sure that the

enabling environment for their effective participation was created. Also in every project

implementation District there was a PWDs member in the Project Advisory committee established.

Some were identified, recruited and trained as community teachers but mostly benefited as direct

project beneficiaries in the various project operational areas.

6.12UnplannedactivitiesundertakenThe project implementation period witnessed the EBOLA Virus Disease (EVD) in the country. All

schools were closed down and activities slowed down in all operational locations. Although EBOLA

was not initially part of the project planned activities to undertake, there was a strategic orientation

of the project to accommodate awareness raising on the disease to youth. CCYA did a lot of training

with Center for disease control (CDC) and Unicef. Right messages on the EBOLA for communities

were developed. Basic prevention and care were incorporated into CCYA work.

The Ministry of Education introduced radio teaching programme. CCYA designed community

teaching programmes to augment the radio teaching schooling at that level. Community teachers

were trained and provided with memory sticks that contained the teaching syllabuses, Radio set and

teaching materials backed by EBOLA messages to facilitate education.

6.13SuggestionsforimprovementontheimplementationstrategyIn the area for micro finance, youth are requesting for business management training including basic

record keeping – cash book, debtors book and banking processes. They also agitate for them to be

signatories to their accounts and to take lead in the saving of their money into the Bank.

There is need for CCYA community Animators continuous engagement with the youth to develop

their business ideas into viable business plans that can be linked to Financial Services Associations

(FSA) or Agricultural Business Centres (ABC) nearer to the youths. In this way the youth micro

scheme will grow and can be sustained over the years.

6.14ConclusionsandrecommendationsThe project to a large extent has achieved its objectives in given voice to the youth of Sierra Leone. It

has increased on their knowledge and understanding on human rights thus reducing human right

abuses in the communities, enactment of community by‐laws to guide the process, improved

relationship with duty bearers making a way for inclusive planning for development work, promoted

second chance education with an admirable strategy bringing back life into the vulnerable teenage

23 | P a g e

girls and out of school youth in the rural areas and has promoted enterprise development among

youth which has rekindle their livelihood with focus for a better future.

The partner CCYA capacity is built and is a add on strength for resource mobilization and effective

and efficient financial and project management.

It is recommended that the project duly consider implementation of evident based advocacy on the

issue of second chance education for youth and the benefit this will bring to national development in

general and rural community development in particular.

7.0Appendixes

Annex7a:FOCUSGROUPDISCUSSIONOUTCOME‐SELENGACHIEFDOMBODISTRICT DUTY BEARERS –DAMBALLA TOWN YOUTHS – DAMBALLA COMMUNITY YOUTHS – SEMBEHUN COMMUNITY

Increased engagement

between duty bearers and

right holders at the project

locations

Are you often engaging with duty bearers/right holders? Why do you say so? How many tome in the last three months

What are the topical issues that you engage the duty bearers/ Youth on?

Has new plat form established to enable the youth engage duty bearers as a result of this project? Do you see this new platform in anyway beneficial for youth’s

Yes because at any time we are

having meetings we call upon their

attention at least to send a

representative. And this has taken

place only two times for the last two

months.

Topical issues like teenage

pregnancy, early marriages and

issues for the development of the

community.

Actually yes. Yes, because we have

given them the power to take the

lead in any form of activities for the

betterment of our community.

Yes there have been some changes

in the lives of our youth. They now

have respect for the elders, attend

Yes, we are often engaging them

because they often called on us to send

a representative whenever they are

organizing any meeting or organizing

activities. Only two times.

Topical issues like issues for the

development of the community,

teenage pregnancy and early marriages.

Yes there has been a platform establish

for that. Yes, this has in fact created a

lot of impact into the lives of our youth.

Yes there have been some changes in

the lives of us the youth in this part of

the community. There has been

reduction in teenage pregnancy, early

marriages and respect given to us by the

community people.

Yes we are. Because some of the

stakeholders were part of the project

so they needed our attentions. Only

two (2) times we met over the three

months and it is held at the end of

every last Saturday in the month.

Some of the topical issues are:

decision making for the development

of our community, issues affecting the

youths and planning activities

together.

Yes we are having it. Yes we are seeing

it as beneficial to us the youth,

because youths are now actively

participating in the developmental

issues in this community and even

taking the lead.

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progress in the community? Why do say so?

Do you see any change in the attitude of community leaders and local authorities towards the youth? Why do you say so?

to the call of the elders and also give

support to the community.

There have been a lot of changes

towards the youths. As we said earlier

the youth are now at the front line in

terms of decision making and also

taken the lead in community activities.

The youth sit and plan where, when,

and how to do it.

Improved policy environment

for youth involvement in

decision making process at

local and National level

Are youth involved in decision that affect them in the community?

Are there by‐laws in the community to enable youth

Yes they are highly involved.

Because they at times take the lead.

There are series of by‐laws for the

youths.

No, normally the meeting is

supposed to be opened but there

has not being any invitation for that.

But the Council is trying to put

Yes we are involved. Even the last time

they were meeting on issues affecting

the youth we were called upon to

deliberate

Yes there are by laws. Yes there is a

well‐established youth council.

No, because there has not being any

invitation for that. No room for that.

Yes, like fines levied against any youth.

Yes there are by‐laws governing the

youth to actively participate. Yes there

are youth council set up to look into

the affairs of the youth.

Yes we have been invited. Even in

October a representative from this

group was sent to attend a meeting

and one of the key agenda was on

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participate and engage in leadership roles as a result of the project? Are there established youth councils?

Has any youth cluster membership been invited to participate in district council monthly meetings? What about being invited to participate in any national policy forum?

modalities in place to be holding it

at chiefdom level.

hygiene promotion. No invitation has

ever been made.

Human right promotion by

youth

What can you say about people understanding of HR before the project? What are some of the right abuses in the community? How does it look now after few years of the project been implemented? Do you see any changes at all – if yes, what are the changes in human right issues

Before this time, the understanding

about human right was not there.

People were just doing whatever

they feel like and when you ask

them they will answer that it is their

right. Some of the right abuses

were: domestic violence, early

marriages, child labor and lack of

quality education. Through the

implementation of this project, the

awareness of the people of this

community has been raised and

they now know some of these rights

and their responsibilities. Yes there

we have seen some changes. Issues

like given quality education to our

Before now, the understanding of

human right by us the youth was so

little. We were thinking that everything

we were doing was our right. Some of

the right abuses were: child labor,

domestic violence and early marriages

of our sisters. Through this project, our

understanding is now clear and also we

have known some of the responsibilities

towards these rights. Yes, some changes

have taken place. People are now given

quality education to their children,

children given the right to express their

feelings and have given the right to

belong.

We were having scanty understanding

about the concept ‘Human right’ and

people were abusing some of these

rights. Some of the right abuses were:

education was not given to children,

child labor, early marriage, domestic

violence and teenage pregnancy. The

understanding is created and the

awareness is now with the people of

this community. Yes there have been

some changes. Like no early

marriages, children are now given

quality education, reduction of

teenage pregnancy and right to

express ones feeling.

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Describe the interface between (right holder’s youth) and duty bearers during youth activities in promoting rights.

children, rights to express ones

opinion, right to belong and right to

be voted for.

The relationship has not been much

cordial. The outgoing youth leader

was not active and in fact he was

above youth age so I the paramount

chief decided to rule him out and

put somebody active and of youth

age. By doing so, I now have a

strong youth wing and very much

supportive. There is now cordiality

existing.

The relationship between us and the

duty bearers is cordial because we at

times take the lead in some of the

community activities.

There is cordiality between the youth

and the community stakeholders.

They at times mobilize the community

people to take part in youth activities.

Relevance of the project on

Beneficiaries and

communities

Do you see the project addressing the needs of the beneficiaries (youths) and communities? Why do you say so? Does the project address the problems in the communities?

The project has addressed some of

the needs in this community and to

the youth as a whole. People are

now eager to expand their farming

activities, reduction in teenage

pregnancy, early marriages and the

ill perception about the youth have

reduced.

Yes the project has addressed some of

the needs in the lives of the youth and

the community. Youth are now engaged

in small scale business enterprise,

farming activities and also loan

development. Yes of course there are

changes like the reduction of teenage

pregnancy, early marriages and sending

the children back to school.

Exactly yes, because people are now

eager to undergo businesses, active in

their farming activities. Yes the project

addresses some of the issues in the

community leading to the reduction of

teenage pregnancy and early

marriages.

Not only that they should strengthen

their support toward their activities

implemented in this part of the

community.

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Do you think there was an alternative for the use of these resources that was of more priority?

No. but we still want CCYA to open skill

training Centre for some of the out of

school youths.

Micro Finance given to groups

as startup

Are you aware of micro‐finance support given to groups as start‐up? Why do you say so? Who got the support? What was the support provided for?

Describe the difference use of the micro‐finance by the groups.

What are some of the changes experienced by these group as a result of the support?

What do you see as challenge in running this micro‐credit?

Yes we are aware of it. Because we see

it and also received it. The cluster group

received the support and the support

was provided for groups to undertake

small scale business enterprises and also

agro based activities. After the

disbursement of the money, the group

shared it among members and some

used it in their farming activities and

also setup a small scale business

enterprise.

The changes are so great. Some people

now know how to run a business, how

to save money, take care of the family

members and also respect given to us by

the community.

Some of the challenges we are

encountering is that, the support was

not sufficient for the group to run their

Yes we are. The support was seen and

it was given to us. Cluster group

received the support and the support

was for the group to start up a

business. The micro finance was given

to the group. It was later shared

among the group members and

everybody utilizes his/her own share

in different ways. Some were using it

to start up a business and others in

agro‐based activities while others

went both ways.

We have experienced a lot of changes

within the youths. Our standard of

living have changed from 1 meal – 3

meals a day, given quality education

to our children and respect given to us

by the community.

5 | P a g e

What can you say about repayment by members?

Are you doing any savings at all? If yes, where and how is now recovery against disbursement?

business, lack of business centers and

poor communication network.

Repayments by members have been

done successfully.

Actually yes we are saving, at the Bank.

But unfortunately we don’t know the

Bank. After we have collected the

money, we gave it to Mr. Bassie who is

the community facilitator and later pass

it to Mr. Bangalie the community

animator who pays it into the bank. .

Recovery as against disbursement was

not difficult as the interest was too small

and we were only to pay the interest not

the principal amount.

One of the challenges is that, the

support given was too small for the

group and we find it difficult to make

much profit – more money more

profit. The other challenge is that we

lack of business centers so we find it

difficult for the sales of our product.

Poor communication network is

another challenge we are facing.

Repayment by members was not

difficult as we have paid all the

interest.

Yes we make savings at the bank. But

unfortunately we don’t know the

bank. After we have collected the

money, we gave it to Mr. Bassie who is

the community facilitator and later

pass it to Mr. Bangalie the community

animator who pays it into the bank.

Recovery as against disbursement was

not difficult as the interest was too

small and we were only to pay the

interest not the principal amount.

Sustainability of the project

after funding

We have to empowered our youth

to undertake more Agricultural

activities and also expand on their

small scale business. We will also set

We are going to give confidence to CCYA

that this group will stay for life and start

to operate as a community Based

Organization (CBO). We are also going to

One of the things is that, we started

training other youth who were not

part of this project in the areas of live

skills and livelihood skills. We have

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What will make this project work continue after CCYA and her partner supports finishes? What structures are already in place to ensure this work? Are the structures community led and owned – meaning can they be operational only with community support? If no what will make them work accordingly?

up a body responsible for the

monitoring of the project activities

implemented and pay more

attention to girl child education.

set up a body to be monitoring the

activities of the project implemented.

Yes there are some structures like the

youth wing, the Teachers Association,

and the parent teachers association.

These structures are led and owned by

the community and they can be

operational by the full support of the

community.

formed groups apart from the one

that was set up for CCYA project and

we are paying monthly contributions.

We will also set up a body to be

looking into the affairs of these

groups. There are structures formed.

Like the youth wing, community

stakeholders Association and the

parent Teachers association and they

are led and owned by the community

and can be supported by community.

Suggestion for strategy

improvement

What suggestion can you make to improve on the project implementation strategies?

We are suggestion that CCYA should

increase the volume of the micro

finance so that people can obtain

enough profit. They should also give

more support in the area of Agriculture

by supplying us with agriculture inputs

like seeds, fertilizers and tools.

One suggestion that will lead to the

improvement of this project is that,

CCYA should increase the

disbursement of the micro finance and

also make more provision in supplying

agricultural inputs like tools, fertilizers

and seeds.

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Annex7b:FOCUSGROUPDISCUSSIONOUTCOME‐TIKONKOCHIEFDOMBODISTRICT DUTY BEARERS ‐ TIKONKO YOUTHS – TIKONKO COMMUNITY (I) YOUTHS – TIKONKO COMMUNITY

(II)




locations

Are you often engage with duty bearers? Why do you say so? How many tome in the last three months

What are the topical issues that you engage the duty bearers on? Youth engage duty

Has new plat form established to enable the youth engage duty bearers as a result of this project? Do you see this new platform in anyway beneficial for youth’s

Yes, we often engaged the youth in

chiefdom committee meetings on

monthly basis. Three times in the

last three months we met. The

chiefdom youth chairman and the

town youth chairman attended the

town meetings and SMC meetings.

Topical issues discussed are:

security, town cleaning, SMC

meetings and teenage pregnancy.

No new platform has been

established to enable duty bearers

engage youth as a result of this

project. But plans are afoot to set

one platform (This serves as learning

point for us).

There is positive change in the

attitude of the youth towards

community leaders. Youth are now

We often engaged with duty bearers in

meetings critical for the development of

Tikonko chiefdom. Three times we have

met during the last three months based

on scheduled monthly meetings.

Topical issues discussed in meetings are

the establishment of by‐laws which

includes: town cleaning work, by‐laws

during certain diseases E.g. Ebola virus,

teenage pregnancy and rape.

No new platform has been established as

a result of this project that will enable

youth engage duty bearers. We are

thinking that if one is established, it will

help create mutual

relationship/understanding between duty

bearers and right holders and also we will

learn about the roles of leader ship from

the duty bearers/stakeholders.

Yes, we often engage the duty

bearers. We meet together at

chiefdom committee meetings to

make by‐laws on monthly basis,

meet attown meetings and School

Management Committee (SMC)

meetings to implement policies

especially during Ebola Virus

Disease era. We have met twice

during the last three months.

Topical issues that we engaged

duty bearers on includes: teenage

pregnancy, theft and curfew

imposition, drugs abuse and child

abuse.

There is a beneficial platform for

youth progress in Tikonko town

because; it helps promote mutual

understanding between the youths

and the elders.

8 | P a g e

progress in the community? Why do say so?


playing active roles in the schedule

of town cleaning without the

instruction of the chiefs, and there

has also been a reduction of sexual

and gender based violence

The attitudes of community leaders has

changed towards the youth such as,

youth are encouraged to attend

chiefdom committee meetings and other

important gatherings, freedom of speech

e.g. Change in community work

schedules and female youths are always

represented in meetings.

There are now changes in the

attitude of the elders towards the

youth because the Paramount chief

and the youth leader are working in

collaboration and the voices of the

youth are heard.

Improved policy

environment for youth

involvement in decision

making process at local and

National level


Yes, youths are involved in decision

making that affect them in the

community. The youth leader

represented them at chiefdom

committee meetings.

Yes there are by‐laws that enable

the youth to participate in

leadership roles.

Youths are involved in decision making

that affect them in the community like

teenage pregnancy and theft/robbery.

There are by‐laws established in Tikonko

that enables youth to participate in

leadership roles for instance, youth are

now included in the electioneering

process of chiefdom authorities, they also

played leadership role during town

cleaning exercise and casting votes for

cluster executives.

Youths are involved in decision

making that affect them in the

community like the enacted of by‐

laws on town cleaning and

defaulters are fined Le50, 000 per

person.

There are established by‐laws that

enable youths participate and

engage in leadership roles, for

instance, the youth leader is now in

the capacity as Local public health

officer who was recommended by

9 | P a g e


Has new plat form established to enable the youth engage duty bearers as a result of this project? Do you see this new platform in anyway beneficial for youth’s progress in the community? Why do say so?


Youth members have not been

invited to attend any district council

monthly meetings

No opportunity has been giving to youths

to attend council meetings

the Paramount chief. No, there is

no youth council established.

No cluster youth member have

been invited to participate in

District council monthly meetings

or to national policy forum.

10 | P a g e


Youth



Before the project, peoples

understanding about human right

was not enough. Some of the rights

abuses were: child labor, teenage

pregnancy, early marriages, child

trafficking and domestic violence.

The abuses of these rights have

been minimized after few years of

the project implementation as many

changes have taken place. Education

for girl child is high, reduction in

early marriages, and reduction in

school drop‐out and peace in

marital homes.

There is much interface between

elders and youth. The chiefs usually

allow the youth to promote social

activities upon request. The chief

advise them and the youth comport

themselves in accordance with the

stipulated by‐laws.

Before this project, people had not

understood some aspect about human

rights, like the right to own property,

right to life, right to live, right to shelter

and food, right to belong, right to

education, cultural right and right to

freedom of movement. Some of the

rights abuses in this part of the

community were: equality‐selective

justice was rampant, teenage pregnancy,

early marriages, domestic violence, child

abuse & trafficking and no Gender

representative. After few years of project

implementation, the abuses of people’s

rights have minimized, women now

inherit their deceased husband

properties, women are now placed in

leadership, reduction in teenage

pregnancy, and people with disabilities

are now considered in the community

and no child trafficking.

Cordial interface between youth and duty

bearers.

Before the project, most of the

community people had little

understanding on human right such

as: women’s right and also child’s

right. Some of the right abuses

were: sexual and gender based

violence, teenage pregnancy, early

marriages and child labor. There

have been some changes in the

past few years since the

implementation of this project by

CCYA. Some of the changes include:

no more violence, child labor,

teenage pregnancy and early

marriages.

The interface between the youths

and that of the duty bearers during

the promotion of activities is

cordial.

11 | P a g e


Beneficiaries and

communities



CCYA project was very timely in

Tikonko as it addressed some of the

needs of the beneficiaries and the

community because youth are seen

running business on a small scale

which has reduced idleness,

increased social interaction among

youth and the agro‐based skill is

now made practical. The project has

addressed most of the problems in

the community as there is drastic

reduction in the level of crime rate

such as: violence, thieving and

disregard for the authorities. Yes

gambling is still rampant in Tikonko

community.

CCYA project has addressed some of the

need of the youth and the community.

E.g., knowledge acquired from the micro

enterprise, development training and

Agro‐based training/skill has helped us to

run profitable business.

Alternative for the use of these resources

are as follow: livelihood skills training like

carpentry, tailoring, hairdressing, motor

mechanic and computer school or Driving

school.

The project has addressed some of

the needs of the youth and the

community as a whole such as the

second chance education, provision

of learning materials, the micro

finance support given and also skills

acquired in different aspect of life.

The under mentioned facts would

have been an alternative for the

uses of these resources as a

priority: livelihood skill training in:

Carpentry, Hairdressing, Tailoring,

Catering, Masonry, Driving, Metal

work and Motor mechanic.

Micro Finance given to

groups as startup


Yes we are aware of the micro finance

given to groups as startup. We directly

benefited i.e. 40 youths (2 groups of 20).

Each group received Le4, 000, 000 and

each member received Le200, 000.

Micro finance received by these youth

was put in a number of uses which

include: petty trading and expansion of

We are fully aware of the micro

finance given to the group as

startup support. Each cluster

received their own support and

shared it among members. The

support provided was Le4, 000, 000

to the group and later shared it to

the members of Le200, 000 each.

12 | P a g e



What do you see as challenge in running this micro‐credit


Are you doing any savings at all? If yes, where and how is now recovery against disbursement?

their businesses, Agro‐based practices

and profit used for feeding daily,

payment of medical bills and school fees

payment for our children.

Increased profit and business expansion

including Agro based skills taking good

care of their homes, and payment of

school fees were some of the changes.

Some of the challenges in running the

micro finance are, bad debtors as some

of the members do not pay their monthly

interest and fail to attend meetings for

the repayment of these monies.

Members are reluctant to repay as

nothing is heard from Mr. Bangalie the

community animator since we gave him

Le600, 000 for savings.

Saving is at the bank which is unknown

to us and also the account number and

signatories to the account. These factors

have deterred members to repay

although trading is ongoing.

The group members utilized the

money by engaging in petty trading

and agro‐based skills.

Some of the changes as a result of

the support are: business

expansion and profit making, petty

trading and youths solving their

basic needs and problems.

Challenges in running a micro

finance are: some members are

reluctant to repay their interest,

members do not attend meetings

to plan for the way forward, poor

sales due to the economic trend in

the country. Members are

reluctant to repay as nothing is

headr from Mr. Bangalie the

community animator since we gave

him Le600, 000 for savings.

Yes we are doing savings at the

bank which is unknown to us and

also the account number and

signatories to the account. These

13 | P a g e

factors have deterred members to

repay yet trading is ongoing.


after funding


Suggestion has been made to the

youth cluster to register with the

Farmers Agricultural Business Center

at Tikonko ABC more especially for

the agro based skills they have

acquired. Thus linking with the ABC

will help them develop their

businesses in future.

After CCYA support, we shall embark on

the ongoing petty trading and the Agro‐

based skills using our profit to expand our

businesses. We will also organize

ourselves to form an organization known

as ‘CASH CROP FARMERS ASSOCIATION’

(CCFA) in Tikonko to work as CBO.

After CCYA and her partners shall

have gone, we will embark on agro‐

based skills, expansion of our

business and also register with the

agricultural Business Center (ABC)

to further continue our business.

We shall also link with FSA bank,

buy shares and obtain loan to

further expand our trade.


improvement


The following suggestion were made to

improve on the project implementation

strategy: support with inputs ‐fertilizers

and improved seeds for agricultural

practices, increase in the amount of

money for the micro finance to at least

Le10, 000, 000 per cluster and livelihood

training and support in Tikonko for the

youths.

CCYA should increase the loan

amount to Le10, 000, 000 per

cluster and also offer scholarship to

deserving female pupils.

14 | P a g e

Annex7c:FOCUSGROUPDISCUSSIONGUIDE–BUYAROMENDECHIEFDOMPORTLOKODISTRICT DUTY BEARERS YOUTHS – FOREDUGU COMMUNITY YOUTHS – KAMASONDO

COMMUNITY




location



Has new plat form established to enable the youth engage duty bearers as a result of this project? Do

Yes we are engaging them in terms

of community work, the formation

of by‐laws and encourage them to

act as task force to enforce the laws.

We normally meet with the youth

two times every month and on

emergencies when the need arises.

Topical issues like employment,

community work like brushing the

town, road maintenance work, and

formation of by‐laws

Yes it is a new one allowing

discussions especially on the micro

finance that the money is not for

other things but to build their

capacity to reduce poverty. To the

side of the pupils, they were so

happy that they were always advice

Yes, usually helps to solve problems

among each members. During meetings

they often invite youths in relation to

CCYA money allocation. Three times in the

last three months.

Topical issues discussed in meetings are

based on the establishment of by‐laws

which includes: town cleaning work, by‐

laws during certain diseases E.g. Ebola

virus, teenage pregnancy and rape.

No new platform has been established as

a result of this project that will enable

youth engage duty bearers. We are

thinking that if one is established, it will

help create mutual

relationship/understanding between duty

bearers and right holders and also we will

Yes, the duty bearers always

informed us what we are supposed

to do. This has happen twice in the

last three months.

Issues like given advice in our farming

activities on Inland Valley Swamp

(IVS) production, cassava production

and engagement on football gala.

Yes, it is really beneficial to youth

progress, because we always see

their points as priority and so also

they see our points as priority for

youth development.

Yes, because before the intervention

of CCYA we were not recognized

because of poverty, but due to small

15 | P a g e

you see this new platform in anyway beneficial for youth’s progress in the community? Why do say so?


to make good use of the items that

was given to them.

We always see changes while doing

regular monitoring like the

reduction of teenage pregnancy,

bad attitudes like gambling, fighting

in the street, gender based violence

and the progress the are making in

their businesses.

learn about the roles of leader ship from

the duty bearers/stakeholders.

The attitudes of community leaders has

changed towards the youth such as, youth

are encouraged to attend chiefdom

committee meetings and other important

gatherings, freedom of speech e.g. Change

in community work schedules and female

youths are always represented in

meetings

scale business and capacity building

in youth, we are now recognized by

our local leaders.




local and National levels

Are you often engaging with duty bearers/right holders? Why do you say so? How many tome in the last three months

Yes there is a policy. At one time the

youths were engaged in decision

that were affecting them in the

community like the uses of abusive

languages, gender based violence

street fighting (youth are mainly

involved and it was agreed upon

that any one violating these laws

will pay a fine of Le10, 000.

Yes there is a policy in the case of fighting

on the street, using abusive languages and

there is a task force to ensure the

enforcement of these laws like indecency

exposure (reckless dressing).

Yes, there are by‐laws which enable the

youth to actively participate in leadership

roles in this community.

Yes there are community by‐laws to

control those engaged in abusive

languages, gender based violence

and failure to support community

labor in terms of sanitation.

Yes, youth were given certain

authority to carry out like solving

dispute between the young people

16 | P a g e

What are the topical issues that you engage the duty bearers/right holders on? Y

Has a new plat form been established to enable the youth engage duty bearers as a result of this project? Do you see this new platform in anyway beneficial for youth’s progress in the community? Why do say so?

Do you see any change in the attitude of community leaders and local authorities towards the youth? Or attitude of youth towards duty bearers? Why do you say so?

Yes, we have established a youth

task force for any defaulters to

inform the authorities.

Yes, Mr., Augustine S. Kabba has

attended the District youth council

meetings three months ago.

Yes, our representative attended some of

the council meetings and also that of

constitutional review meetings organized

by CCYA and her partners.

and acting as a Task force to monitor

by‐laws in the community.

No, we have never been invited from

our community to such meetings like

the National forum.


Youth

Before the intervention of CCYA, we

have little knowledge about human

right. But with CCYA intervention on

Knew very little about human right. Like

teenage pregnancy, early marriages,

gender based violence and low

We have little or no idea about

human right before the intervention

of CCYA. Some of the right abuses

17 | P a g e



this project, many people are now

aware of human right issues and

how to address some of them. Right

abuses like teenage pregnancy, early

marriages, child abuse, rape and

sexual penetrations. Through the

awareness and sensitization by

CCYA, it has drastically reduced. Yes,

some people were thinking that it

was not a crime, but now many are

afraid of committing such crimes.

It is cordial like the Task force and

the duty bearers will not

compromise with defaulters on

cases that are above them. The

community will refer them to the

police especially issues concerning

FSU.

educational level. It has drastically

reduced like the gender based violence,

early marriages and teenage pregnancy.

Yes, many changes like teenage

pregnancy, early marriages and domestic

violence.

It is cordial because of the awareness on

the issues of rights and other capacity

building training.

were Teenage pregnancy, child labor

and domestic violence. There have

been some changes in people’s

behavior in terms of violating human

rights issues; reduce teenage

pregnancy, early marriages, child

labor and domestic violence.

The interface between the right

holders and duty bearers is cordial.


Beneficiaries and

communities

Do you see the project addressing the needs of the beneficiaries (youths) and

Yes, because the youths were idle

before the intervention of the

project, but now some are engaged

in small scale business while others

have been enrolled in schools to

further their education. Our children

especially the girls were not

performing well at school but with

CCYA intervention in the radio study

Yes it helps in the micro finance, feeding

of our family members and also awareness

raising activities in terms of advocacy and

self‐reliance. Yes it has improved self‐

esteem of youth by family members and

colleagues and reduces the rate of

poverty, lawlessness and violence.

Yes the project is relevant as we

were taught in entrepreneurship and

micro finance development training

to reduce poverty in our community

and to be self‐reliant. We lack cash

before but now other community

members that are not in the project

do ask for loan from those that have

benefited. Things have actually

18 | P a g e

communities? Why do you say so? Does the project address the problems in the communities?


programs and the support given to

them, they have focused on their

academic work and for the past

years, we had 95% passes in BECE

with requirement for Senior

Secondary School (SSS I).

Yes, the project has capacitated the

youths as a result they are now

engaged in small scale business and

they are doing well by paying their

children’s school fees and given

them other supports.

Yes Agriculture and vocational skill

training programs.

changed because people can now

take care of their families.

No, because we highly welcome the

micro finance support and the

second chance education project as a

priority.


as startup


Yes, because it was visible and it has

created a lot of impact into the lives of the

youths. The youths were the beneficiaries

to the support.

Some members were using it to stat up a

small scale business and some for agro

based activities.

We have a lot of changes. We are able to

provide basic needs like food, shelter,

clothing, payment of school fees and also

Yes, what was given was visible and

we are in proper business, doing our

contributions. The support was given

to the youth cluster. Physical cash

was given to the youths amounting

L6, 000, 000.

The different uses of the micro

finance are in small scale business

and agro‐based skills activities.

19 | P a g e





Are you doing any savings at all? If yes, where and how is now recovery against disbursement

renting a room. We are also recognized to

take part in certain decision making

process.

Some of the challenges in running a micro

finance are as follows: Transportation,

changes in price and the low volume of

the money disbursed.

Yes, at Rokel Commercial Bank Port Loko

branch. We have made 11 months savings.

We have a lot of changes. We are

able to provide basic needs like food,

shelter, clothing, payment of school

fees and also renting a room. We are

also recognized to take part in certain

decision making process.

Some of the challenges are: low

startup capital, increase in the prices

of some commodities and debtors

not paying on time.

Yes, at Sierra Leone Commercial Bank

Port Loko branch and payment have

been made for ten months.


after funding

What will make this project work continue after CCYA and her partner supports finishes? What structures are already

We will admonish the youth to

engage in a weekly or monthly

savings apart from the micro finance

savings they are doing. We also

advised them to be holding monthly

meetings as a group in order to

discuss issues affecting them within

We will continue our savings and the small

scale business. Monthly meetings should

also be in progress and establish Osu‐su

among the members. Yes, we already

have the youth wing and the duty bearers.

These structure are led and owned by the

We will continued to contribute to

the savings of the micro finance

account as a group, regular meetings

to discuss issues affecting the youths

clusters and the community as a

whole. We will also embark on

agricultural activities and Osu‐su for

20 | P a g e

in place to ensure this work? Are the structures community led and owned – meaning can they be operational only with community support? If no what will make them work accordingly?

the group. For the second chance

education, the CTA, the community

and the school agreed to a monthly

contribution of Le5, 000 per pupils

and that the money should be used

to conduct extra classes and

discussion programs. Yes, because

these structures encompass wholly

the community people and it can

only be operational with the

commitment and the involvement of

the community people.

community and can be in operational by

the full support of the community.

cluster members. Secretaries,

mobilizers, community teachers and

duty bearers. Yes, they are led and

owned by the community and can be

operational with the support of the

community.


improvement


To continue the micro finance and also

add on their disbursement of the micro

finance to Le1, 000, 000 per person. CCYA

should also provide vocational skills

training programs like gara tie dying,

catering and hairdressing. Second chance

education support for extra classes, also to

increase the lunch to Le200, 000 and to

add on the quota of the second chance

beneficiaries. More support for

agricultural inputs.

That CCYA and it donor should

increase on their micro finance

disbursement for the beneficiaries up

to Le1, 000, 000 per person. They

should also increase the support for

the second chance education

beneficiaries to 20 pupils per schools,

and also embark on agriculture for

cluster groups. Continue to raise

awareness and sensitization on

human right issues and capacity

building for youths in the community.

21 | P a g e

Annex7d:FOCUSGROUPDISCUSSIONOUTTCOME–KAMAJEICHIEFDOMMOYAMBADISTRICT DUTY BEARERS – GONDAMA

COMMUNITY

DUTY BEARERS – GONDAMA

COMMUNITY

YOUTHS – GONDAMA COMMUNITY




location



Yes, we usually hold meetings with

the youths to discuss matters

concerning the community like

labor. We usually called meeting

once in every one month.

Topical issues discussed‐ like town

cleaning, social activities and also

things that are affecting youth in

the community.

Yes, yes, because when they came

with this project, most of our

children’s were direct beneficiaries

of the CCYA project. And so, the

way our children were harassing us

have stopped because they are

Yes, because whenever we called upon

any meetings they are always present. We

usually have our meetings two or three

times in every month.

Topical issues discussed are on leadership

qualities and advise them to work as a

team.

No, because when CCYA project arrive,

they never called us to participate in any

form of meetings and the youth did it on

their own because the youth were highly

needed by this people.

Yes, because it is their right as

community heads to know about the

affairs of the youth in their

community. We have met four times

in the last three months.

We met and discussed issues on

sustainability of the project by the

group and on how our businesses are

improving gradually.

Yes. Yes, on recent times, we the

youth have been called upon to

participate in decision making as we

were not involved in the past.

22 | P a g e



now capable of earning some

money for themselves.

Yes, before this time, the youth

were harassing us for every little

thing that we do in this community

like collecting money and

donations made to the community.

They at times become anger and

started creating problems like

violence. But there have been

some changes in the lives of these

youth because of the interventions

of CCYA project.

Yes, although we the duty bearers were

not informed by the youth and the CCYA

project officers during their time of

intervention. But there are a lot of positive

changes toward the attitude of the youth.

Like the level of teenage pregnancy has

minimized, respect for elders has

improved.

Yes, now our leaders are sensitizing

us on how to do community work

and by telling us to stop doing

negative things in the community like

violence, drugs abuse, teenage

pregnancy and raping.





Are youth involved in decisions that affect them in the community? Eg

Yes, we often invited them when

decisions are to be made. They at

times take the lead.

Yes, there are by‐laws governing

the youths in this part of the

community and there are fines

levied against defaulters.

Yes, we usually and often called upon the

youth whenever we want to pass on any

decision in the community. Although some

of these decision affect them directly, but

it is necessary to the community as a

whole.

Yes there are by‐laws which enable the

youth to participate and engage in

leadership roles before the CCYA

Yes, we as youth are usually involved

in decision making that affect us in

the community.

Yes, in every community, there are

by‐laws set up that enable youth to

participate in decision making. By‐

laws such as youths should not be

left out in any aspect of decision

making in the community.

23 | P a g e

Are there by‐laws in the communities to enable youths participate and engage in leadership roles as a result of the project. Are there established youth councils

Has any youth cluster membership been invited to participate in District Council monthly meetings? What about being invited to participate in any National Policy Forum

Yes, they usually go to Senehun the

chiefdom head town and at times

to Moyamba the District head

quarter town for meetings

intervention. But it was later reinforced by

the CCYA project.

No, the youth have never been involved or

called to participate in any form of district

council monthly meetings. At most times

even the elders are not aware of council

meetings.

No, only chiefdom meetings.


Youth

What can you say about people understanding of HR before the project? What are some of the right abuses in the community? How does it look now after few years of the project been implemented? Do you see any changes at all – if

People in the community had little

or no knowledge about human

right before the intervention of the

CCYA project. Some of the right

abuses were gender based

violence, forceful marriages,

harboring, kidnapping and teenage

pregnancy were the order of the

day. Yes, there are lots of positive

changes in the community since

the intervention of CCYA. Changes

in human rights, teenage

We knew about human rights even before

the intervention of the project. However

most of the right abuses were, teenage

pregnancy, gender based violence and

child labor. It has reduced drastically

although such abuses still exist in the

community at a very minimal rate.

In such activities (promoting human

rights), there are a lot of

misunderstanding between the youth and

There was no human right awareness

raising before the intervention of

CCYA. So the people had no

understanding about human right.

Some of the right abuses were:

gender based violence, teenage

pregnancy, rape and early marriages.

Some of these right abuses have now

declined after the CCYA project

intervention and there are now some

changes. Changes like reductions in

24 | P a g e

yes, what are the changes in human right issues


pregnancy and no more early

marriages.

In most times, there are a lot of

disagreement between the duty

bearers and the youth, but at the

end, we put our heads in one pot

to discuss out issues.

the duty bearers. We even sometimes go

to the extent on using abusive languages

on the youths, but we later settle our

conflict and finally come to conclusion.

teenage pregnancy, early marriages,

domestic violence and child labor.

Most times we the right holders and

duty bearers disagree with each

other but later resolve our problems

and come together as one family.


Beneficiaries and communities


Do you think there was an alternative for the use of these resources that was of more priority

Yes, before this time, youth were

always harassing us for money as

was said early. But since the

intervention of CCYA, problems are

solved all by themselves.

Yes, the project is really addressing

most of the issues in the

community gradually.

Yes, because since the intervention of the

CCYA project, our youths are now capable

of providing for themselves their basic

needs. Furthermore, we now have peace

and we are no longer being harassed.

Yes, the project is partly addressing some

of the problems in the community.

Yes the youth and the duty bearers

now speak with one voice in the

community. The micro finance given

to youth has played a key role in the

lives of certain youth. The project is

solving the problems of the direct

beneficiaries and their dependents

but not the community as a whole.

No, the use of such resources is

significant and necessary for what

they have addressed.

25 | P a g e


as startup






Yes, because we received the money

given to us as micro finance. The

targeted group members got the

support. The support provided by

CCYA was money given to us as micro

finance which was Le4, 000, 000 per

cluster.

The money was shared as micro

finance startup which was used in

different ways by the beneficiaries.

Some used it in their agro based

activities and others in small scale

business enterprise.

Before now, some of us use to

borrow money in other communities

and pay back with huge interest. So

we find it very difficult to have much

profit to take care of our needs. But

since the intervention of this project,

we are now capable of taking care of

all our needs.

The money given was too small.

Transportation is also another big

26 | P a g e


challenge faced in running micro

finance. Increase in the price of our

local commodities is also another

problem. Lack of trade center and the

repayment by members is very

difficult.

No, we are not doing any savings at

all.


after funding


We as community duty bearers will

continue to advice and encourage

the youth to be calling meetings

regularly and also to be paying

their monthly contributions. The

youth have formed their executive

with the help of the duty bearers

for the sustainability of the project.

No it is not only led and owned by

one community but all the

communities that are involved in

this project. That all the various

communities should come together

and organized themselves as to

how they should be operating.

We as community heads (duty bearers)

must call the youth and ask them what is

in their mind concerning the project, and

what is the way forward since the project

is coming to an end. For now, there are no

structures put in place. No, we as

community heads must advice our youth

to be holding regular meetings at all times

to discuss issues concerning the CCYA

project and further to tell them to elect

leaders so that their work load will be

easy.

As a group, we should be holding

monthly meetings to discuss on

issues affecting the youth and the

community as a whole. Payment of

monthly contributions should be

continuing after the project ends..


improvement

There should be a room for adult

literacy in the community and also

more provision in the area of agro‐

27 | P a g e

What suggestion can you make to improve on the project implementation strategies

based skills support with seeds,

fertilizers and tools.

Annex7e:FOCUSGROUPDISCUSSIONOUTCOME–MASIMERACHIEFDOMPORTLOKODISTRICT DUTY BEARERS – MASIMERA

COMMUNITY

DUTY BEARERS – KONTA LINE

COMMUNITY

YOUTHS – KONTA LINE COMMUNITY




location



Yes, we engage them on crucial

issues like early marriages, teenage

pregnancy, informed them on

sanctions recommended by

government and chiefdom

authorities and all youths to own

cassava farm. Only three times in

October Month.

Topical issues like: sanctions on

security ‐ theft, issues bordering on

communal labor with youth

support, road maintenance and

bridges repair.

Yes we are engaging them on issues

affecting the welfare and development of

the community. Twice in the last three

months.

Topical issues discuss include,

construction of community center‐ the

youth to provide communal labor during

construction and also issues on teenage

pregnancy, child labor and early

marriages.

Yes, there is. Youth are now more

corporative due to the awareness raising

drive created by CCYA.

Yes we engaged duty bearers for

advice and share information on

crucial issues affecting the youth

welfare and development. Six

meetings held over the last three

months.

Topical issues discussed were: update

them on the use of the Le4, 000, 000

given by CCYA and also report on the

visit of strangers in line with state

and chiefdom policies.

Yes, a free flow of communication

now exists. Yes, because it has now

28 | P a g e



There is a platform established to

engage youth. If we leave the floor

open, teenage pregnancy will

spiral. We have closed in with

sanctions.

Yes, on the death of section youth

leader, we engaged them to

appoint a new youth leader.

Attitude of the youth towards authorities

has improved as they are now

cooperating.

united us, it has taught us to save for

the future and it has created

awareness among us.

Yes now our rights are respected and

the elders no longer impose their will

on us. They take the lead and we

follow them willingly. This also has

led to reducing the restriction on our

freedom and joint consultations.





Yes. We invite them to meetings

and dialogue to hear from them

before decisions are taken.

Yes, there are by‐laws. Fines

imposed on the beneficiaries who

refused to pay the agreed monthly

amount, communal labor for public

good ‐ particular days singled out

Yes, because they are active and have the

tendencies to deviate from norms so we

involved them in all meetings at all level to

avoid misunderstanding.

Yes, there are by‐laws like a youth refusing

to take part in community works; he/she

will be fined heavily to teach others a

Yes, we are involved. Because we

took part in the enactment of by‐laws

to guide peaceful co‐existence. Elders

do not rectify laws without our

consent.

Yes, there are by‐laws. Thieves are

handed to the youth leader and later

29 | P a g e



Has any youth cluster membership been invited to participate in District Council monthly meetings? What about being invited to participate in any National Policy Forum?

for such activities and any

defaulters will be fined and if a boy

impregnate a schoolgirl, they both

will have to wait and go back to

school together.

Not much is happening in this

direction. No youth man and

authority has ever participated to

our knowledge as town chief and

eldersof Masimera.

lesson. The use of abusive languages also

attracts fines of L10, 000 or referred to the

Paramount chief for arbitration.

No participation of youths in council

meetings.

pass them to the chiefs and the

police for necessary actions.

Sanctions imposed on defaulters in

range of communal labor.

No idea on that.


Youth

What can you say about people understanding of HR

Peoples understanding on human

right was low: domestic violence

and gender based violence are not

allowed and monitoring the

welfare of children to avoid child

labor and discrimination are

The knowledge was limited although not

totally absent. Before now, domestic

violence was on the rise and early

marriages on the increase before CCYA

came. Some of the right abuses were child

labor, teenage pregnancy and gender

Before CCYA arrived, our

understandings on right was right to

shelter, right to marry and have

dominion over our wives and to raise

our family and that domestic violence

was no wrong especially on sexual

30 | P a g e

before the project? What are some of the right abuses in the community? How does it look now after few years of the project been implemented? Do you see any changes at all – if yes, what are the changes in human right issues


promoted. Drastic reduction in

violation of human right as a result

of this project.

Very cordial.

based violence. For now we have seen a

great change. Structures have been put in

place to curb these ills in the society.

The town is divided into three zones and

all the zones are having their executives.

They are contacted to decide on how to

develop and plan activities. So the

relationship is much cordial.

ground. Some of the rights abuses

was that, elders never give chance to

defaulters to explain their own side

of the story before decision are

taken. Dispute between married

couples was resolved by the court

chairman who end up falling in love

with the wife and the husband

apparently fined heavily with his right

violated. Yes, there have been

changes. Like domestic violence is

now minimized, women now

received their bride price, quarrel

between husband and wife have

reduced and citizens right fully

restored and respected whether

stranger or not.

The relationship is very cordial and

based on mutual respect and

consultation.


Beneficiaries and

communities

Yes, CCYA launched sensitization

sessions to educate us on

infectious diseases like Ebola and

HIV/AIDS. CCYA support with lunch

and transport and other school

materials to relieve parents. There

was 100% passes in the BECE and

Yes, because CCYA has forced some of the

out of school youths to return back to

school and has less burden on parents

now. As for the community, there has

been relief on parents to pay their

children’s school fees.

Yes, because we are now proud for

our children schooling at higher

heights.

31 | P a g e



are doing well in school. The

community needs are also being

met like the youth share

knowledge gained from CCYA and

the parents can now breathe a sigh

of relief. It is relevant.

No alternative that was of more

priority. The support was timely and

could not have been spent in a better

way than we did.


as startup


Yes. 20 youth got the support.

Because we witnessed the

disbursement. The support provided

was cash of Le4, 000, 000 per group

There was training on HIV/AIDS.

This support was used in a form of

business, agro‐based activities and

interest used for payment of medical

bill for our families.

32 | P a g e

Describe the different use of the micro‐finance by the groups.





The standard of our living is now

better at least 2 meals a day,

payment of medical and school fees

for our children. Good yield from our

gardens are helping us.

Agricultural production is seasonal in

nature, disbursement of the loan was

not sufficient so it does not allow us

to generate much profit. Although

things are tough, members are

paying on time.

We pay the money to one of the

CCYA staff who takes the money to

the bank and bring back bank slip.

We don’t know the name of the bank

and we are not signatories.

Sustainable of the project

after funding

After funding’s expires, Constant

monitoring to ensure continuity,

community farm now proposed so

that part of the proceed can be

used to maintain facilities left

Meeting already held to discuss CCYA

issues that the micro credit provided by

CCYA should be controlled by parents

directly not the youths and that we should

We will embark on livestock

restocking to generate funds and

meet our needs. We will also

establish cassava farm, groundnut

farm and potato farm to make money

33 | P a g e


behind by CCYA and monthly

contributions from community

members and clusters to establish

a standing fund to address crucial

issues.

also urge parent to send their children to

school.

and support our kids and families.

There are structures established, led

and owned by the community and

can operate with the full support of

the community.


improvement


Increase in the support of the loan

from Le4, 000, 000 to Le10, 000, 000

and also provision to be made for

cluster members who want to

continue their education. The

account also should be known by the

group member and then change the

name from CCYA to the name of our

group that is ‘TAMARANEH

KONTALINE’ . We should be

signatories to the account and also

establish Technical vocational centers

to support self‐reliance.

34 | P a g e

Annex7f:FOCUSGROUPDISCUSSION–WATERLOOCOMMUNITY DUTY BEARERS YOUTHS – MABUREH COMMUNITY YOUTHS – WATERLOO

COMMUNITY




location

Are you often engaging with youth/duty bearers? Why do you say so? How many time in the last three months

Yes we are now in strong terms

with the youth. We have met more

than three times in the last three

months. We discussed security

especially when arm robbery was

rampant and issues like teenage

pregnancy and domestic violence.

We see this as a new plat form and

it is really helping us through.

There is much cordial relationship

Yes. Because everything in the community

has to go through the elders for their

approval. It has been done twice for the

last three months.

Topical issues like teenage pregnancy,

early marriage and on issues affecting us

the youths.

Yes, there has been a platform set where

we can engage duty bearers. Yes, before

now we were idle passing around this

Yes we are engaging them,

because most of the time we are

given the responsibility to attend

workshops and meetings and we

provide feedback.. It depends on

how many times activities are to

come.

Topical issues like activities to be

held, issues affecting the youth

and domestic violence.

35 | P a g e

What are the topical issues that you engage the duty bearers on?

Has new plat form been established to enable the youth engage duty bearers as a result of this project? Do you see this new platform in anyway beneficial for youth’s progress in the community? Why do say so?


now existing between youth and

duty bearers.

We discuss and even plan together

like we said on how to address the

security issue.

community without doing anything. But as

for now there have been some changes

through the establishment of this

platform.

There have been some changes in the

attitude of the elders toward the youth.

They now have respect for us, regard us as

citizen of this community and also consult

us in decision making.

Yes, the formation of a pressure

group called ‘voice of the youths’

Yes, we are so powerful and most

times our request are granted. But

the traditional setting is a serious

problem as the elders are

commanding too much of respect.

Yes, they now listen to the voice

of the young people as there have

been some changes.

Improved policy




National levels

There is a Community Security

Volunteers‐ mostly youth and we

made some guidelines to check

their operations including codes to

use and places to report.

Yes, through the creation of the

community security volunteer (CSV) when

thieves were rampant in the waterloo

community and some of us serve as task

force members.

No, this is not a new platform in

this part of the community.

.

36 | P a g e


Are there by‐laws in the communities to enable youth participate and engage in leadership roles as a result of the project. Are there established youth councils


Youth are involved in all of the

above as key people.

Youth were to set up a youth

council, but they are yet to

complete.

The youth have not informed us of

this. It can be possible.

Yes, there are by‐laws. Like no woman

should give birth at home and this is

supervised by us the youths. No youth

council established.

No invitation has ever been made both for

district council and the national policy

forum.


Youth

What can you say about people understanding of HR before the project? What are some of the right abuses in the community?

In Waterloo, our understanding on

human rights before CCYA was low.

Right abuses include largely child

abuse including child labor more in

street selling, deprivation to go to

school.

We have observed changes after

CCYAs work in the communities.

Before this time, there was a

misunderstanding of the word human

right. Most of the right abuses in the

community were child abuses, domestic

violence and teenage pregnancy. There

has been some changes in some of these

rights abuses‐ Like reduction in teenage

There was that understanding but

not too much. The most common

form of abuses is the using of

abusive language on someone,

domestic violence and child abuse.

There is now some changes in the

attitude toward these rights

37 | P a g e

How does it look now after few years of the project been implemented? Do you see any changes at all – if yes, what are the changes in human right issues

Describe the interface between (right holder’s youth) and duty

There is reduced child labor. We

report to the police when we se it.

It is not completely wipe off at the

moment.

Authorities quarreled with youth in

the beginning but we realized they

were doing the right work. Their

work covered us.

pregnancy, early marriages and domestic

violence.

The interface between the youth and the

duty bearers is so cordial.

abuses due to the intervention of

CCYA.

The relation is much cordial as we

all work together in terms of

development


Beneficiaries and

communities


The project is good and timely.

Youth are positively engaged

including our daughters who were

in other unsafe businesses.

No we are even asking that this

continues.

Yes. Before the outbreak of Ebola, we

were hoping for an intervention and CCYA

came in. what makes it very useful was

that, we were able to receive loan from

CCYA to start up our lives. Yes.

No.

Yes, considering the learning on

adult literacy, numeracy and

business management it is

necessary. Yes.

No.

38 | P a g e



groups as startup


The youth reported to us and are

providing feedback on the uses.

Some are doing petty trading and

others grow vegetables.

Youth have money and are doing

their best to take care of their

problems at home.

For challenges the youth report of

low turnover since the amount was

small.

Yes, because I was part of the group that

benefited. The cluster member got the

support. The support was in a form of cash

for the youths to start up their small scale

businesses.

Some of the uses made with the micro

finance were selling of cigarettes, open

charging center, selling of groundnuts by

cup and selling slippers.

As far as this program is concerned, there

have been a lot of changes in the lives of

the youth. There has been some amount

Yes because we are part of the

beneficiaries. The cluster group

got the support, and the support

was provided to undergo a small

scale enterprise.

Some of the different uses of the

micro‐finance were opening of

Tele center, vendors (dubbed

video cassettes selling and selling

of cigarettes.

There has been lot of changes in

utilization of the micro‐finance.

39 | P a g e






of respect and we are also proud of taking

care of our families.

One of the challenges was that, the micro

finance given was too small to generate

much profit.

We can now pay our children’s

school fees, have 3 meals a day

and are taking good care of our

homes.

The amount of money that was

given was too small as compared

to our expectation and so it takes

a lot of month to develop it. The

repayment by members was not

the problem.

Yes, independently.


after funding

The money the youth had will

continue no matter how small the

Since we are working as a group, the

group will serve as pressure to ensure

continuity. There are already structures

put in place like the youth wing, the

We the youth should strengthen

the already existing structure that

40 | P a g e


trades are. The youth are

organized.

community teachers and the community

animators.

are in place for the sustainability

of the project.


improvement


There is need to really bring the

duty bearers and the youth leaders

in a training so that we can see

each other as partners in

development.

The community teachers should be

motivated so that they will be acting as

our eye after CCYA would have left and

also time to time visit by CCYA to monitor

some of the activities been implemented.

Team leaders are to be

empowered with more skills.

41 | P a g e

Annex7g:FOCUSGROUPDISCUSSIONGUIDE–DASSECHIEFDOMMOYAMBADISTRICT. DUTY BEARERS – MANO TOWN

COMMUNITY

YOUTHS – MADINA COMMUNITY YOUTH – NYAMANIA COMMUNITY




location


What are the topical issues that you engage the duty

Yes we have been meeting with the

youths. We often call them to attend a

meeting or send representative. Three

times in the past three months we

have met.

Some of the issues discuss includes

security service, road maintenance,

rape cases, child abuses and a

feedback on the micro‐finance.

Yes, we often engage the duty

bearers. The last time we engaged

them was discussions on the strategy

used to implement this project

whether they are on the right track or

not. Three times for the past three

months.

Topical issues like, road maintenance,

security structure, cleaning of the

community, rape cases, teenage

pregnancy and early marriages.

Yes, we meet with chiefs for

project and community matters.

For the past three months, we have

met with them three times.

Issues like progress and challenges

in the micro‐finance, dispute

among youth, violence against

women and on security are

discussed.

42 | P a g e

bearers on? Youth engage duty



Yes, a whole platform has been

established to engage youths. The

platform is very beneficial to the

youths of dasse because it discusses

issues affecting them and also give

them supervisory roles.

There is much improvement in the

attitude of the youths towards the

duty bearers in terms of respect.

Yes, a new platform/committee has

been formed called DASSE YOUTH

COMMITTEE of which Madam Saffie

Karjue a town chief of Mano old town

is a member of the platform. Yes, and

this is very much important to the

welfare of the youth.

Yes, With this platform, there have

been some changes in the lives of the

youth. Youth now decide and take the

lead in the development of the

community.

There is a well‐established platform

to address issues stated above of

which the participation of the

chiefs count a lot. This platform is

very beneficial because it has

minimized violence, child labor and

other issues affecting the

community.

There have been positive changes

in the lives of the community

youth. Youth now play a very active

part in decision making process,

attending to their needs on time

and respect given to them by the

duty bearers.

Improved policy




National levels

Yes, youth representative now

participate in decision making with the

elders.

Yes, we the youths are now in decision

making process with the duty bearers.

Yes there are by‐laws for defaulters

who go against the rules. There are

Yes, we are highly involved. Like on

issues affecting the youth and the

community as a whole.

43 | P a g e





Yes, there are by‐laws in existence for

the youth to take part in leadership

roles. Laws like no rape, teenage

pregnancy and early marriages. There

is a fine to be paid when found guilty.

Yes, our district youth council PRO

normally attends meetings at

Moyamba.

laws regarding rape, teenage

pregnancy and drugs abuse. Yes there

is a youth councils established.

Yes, John Kebbie who is a member of

our youth club normally attends

council monthly meetings.

Yes there are by‐laws set up for the

youth to be fully engaged in

leadership roles in this community.

Yes, there is a well‐established

youth council in the district.

We are not aware of anything like

that. That is not quite to our

understanding.

44 | P a g e


Youth

What can you say about people understanding of HR before the project? What are some of the right abuses in the community? How does it look now after few years of the project been implemented? Do you see any changes at all – if yes, what are the changes in human right issues?

Describe the interface between (right holder’s youth) and duty bearers during youth’s activities in promoting rights.

Yes, we knew much about human

rights even before this project.

However some of the right abuses

were kidnapping, freedom of

expression and the right to education.

There have been some changes

towards these rights that were

abused. No more kidnapping,

domestic violence and quality

education are given to the children.

The relationship is now much cordial.

There has been reduction in violence

against the elders considering the kind

of cordiality that is existing now.

Before the project, we knew little

about human rights issues like

freedom of speech and the 50:50.

Some of the right abuses were child

labor, early marriages, domestic

violence and that of teenage

pregnancy. But with the help from

CCYA, we can now associate, talk in

public, own property and take

decision on our own. Right to

freedom, right to belong and less

domestic violence in the community.

On the whole, the relationship with

the duty bearers is now very cordial in

terms of participation and in decision

making.

We knew nothing about human

right issues before this project and

some of the right abuses were

violence, teenage pregnancy and

early marriages. With this project,

we now know something about

human rights and our

responsibilities towards them.

Some of the right changes are no

more violence, reduction of

teenage pregnancy and freedom of

expression.

There is a very cordial relationship

existing between the youth and the

duty bearers.


Beneficiaries and

communities

Yes, because the project assisted

youth that are going to school

especially the second chance

education, micro‐finance given to

Yes, the project is addressing our

needs of economic hardship through

the micro‐finance scheme which is

enabling us to do small scale business.

Payment for our out of school youth

Yes, before this project, our income

base was almost negligible and

could not even read A,B,C or write

1,2,3 and our children were idling

doing nothing, too much of

45 | P a g e



youths as a support and the training

they undergo.

schooling and support for agro‐based

activities.

No. but they still need to strengthen

some of their project activities.

teenage pregnancy, early marriages

and child abuses. But with the help

of this program, everything has

finally changed.


groups as startup


Yes, we are aware of the micro

finance. Because we benefited out of

it which was about Le4, 000, 000 given

to the group, and the group shared it

among members of 20 at SLL200, 000

per person.

Some people were doing business,

some group farming and the interest

being used to pay our children’s

Yes, we are aware of the micro

finance support. We received Le4,

000, 000 as a group and Le200, 000

per member to do business and

farming.

We use the money to do business,

group farming, and provide food

for the house, pay school fees and

medical bills for our family out of

proceeds.

46 | P a g e






school fees and provide food for the

house.

Some of the changes experienced by

us are that we are now busy doing our

business, contribute to our monthly

Osusu and are providing food at home

daily.

Some of the challenges of the micro‐

finance are about the repayment.

Some people pay on time while others

delay their own payment. But

however, repayment is encouraging.

Yes, we are doing savings at the

commercial bank.

Lots of positive changes have taken

place in our life such as increase in

our income bases, can now dress

neatly and pay our children’s

school fees.

The biggest challenge is that, the

capital base was small. Repayment

by member was Le5000 for the

cash box and Le5000 to be saved in

the account. Repayment is

encouraging.

We are doing some savings at the

commercial bank at Njala but we

don’t know about recovery as

against disbursement.


after funding What will CCYA should continue to monitor the

support that was given to this

The project hopes to continue with

the coordination of the Osusu

The Osusu will keep us together;

continue with our regular meetings

47 | P a g e

make this project work continue after CCYA and her partner supports finishes? What structures are already in place to ensure this work? Are the structures community led and owned – meaning can they be operational only with community support? If no what will make them work accordingly?

community and also active supervision

by the chiefdom development youth

committee. Contributions of board of

schools by old boy and girls in terms of

scholarship and other assistance.

There is a well structure formed

owned and led by the community and

with the support of the community.

programme, regular meetings and a

well‐established business center for

the youth. There is a structure put in

place like the youth committee,

stakeholders and teachers all

monitoring the activities of the project

and they are led and owned by the

community with full support of the

community.

to discuss on issues around the

project. There is a structure

established like the executive

committee at group level and

cluster level and it is led and owned

by the community and with the full

support of the community.


improvement


Some suggestions made are: that

some of the group members should be

signatory to the account, CCYA to

increase on the loan given to the

groups and also to give support to

group farming.

CCYA to increase on the loan and

also support us with group farming.

A member from the group should

also be a signatory to the account.

48 | P a g e

7.2.Storiesofchange

ANNEX7.2a:STORIESOFCHANGE‐BODISTRICTSELENGACHIEFDOMName and

contact

details of

the

contributor

Isatu Moseray Sex: Female Age 27

Sembehun Village

Salamatu Sillah Sex: Female Age 22

Damballa town

076 30‐36‐82

Stories of

change

In your opinion Over the last two and half years, what has

I am Isatu Moseray, at age ten I lost my father and things were very

difficult for my mother and four of my younger ones. So our mother

decided that we change our location to Damballa which is our mother’s

home town. When we came to Damballa her family members were all

engaged in serious farming and in the production and sale of palm

wine. So we all join them in the farming activities and the palm wine

business. None of us went to school until one day when my mother

decided to introduce me to one of her sisters at Sembehun. To cut it

short, the chief happens to fall in love with me and I accepted his

proposal. I was around 15 years old when I got married to the town

My name is Salamatu Sillah, I lived at Damballa town Selenga Chiefdom

Bo district. I lost my father at the age of 18 years when I was about to

sit to my Basic Education Certificate Examination. I became so confused

thinking about my education whether I will continue or not. With all

that, I regained courage and sat to my BECE. Thinking about my

situation, I did not sit down and fold my hands between my two legs

but rather to do something good. My mother was also staying in her

village doing her subsistence farming. I started doing business so that I

can continue my education when results are released. I was able to

earn much profit out of the little business. I was fortunate to gain

49 | P a g e

changed as result of the project

chief of sembehun village now with three children. After given him the

three children I began to lose my beauty. He then went and married

another young and beautiful girl by the name of Mangenda who now is

his state.

I came to know about the CCYA project through one of the stakeholders

in this village. She even recommended me as one of the members. So

we were called upon for the first meeting at Damballa where I was

appointed as the group two Leader at Sembehun for the CCYA project. I

have undergone a lot of training on human rights issues, and was also

given Le200, 000 to engage myself in business so that I will be able to

forget about the past. Even when others were seeing this money as a

small amount, I look at it as I was given a million. Even when I did not

go to school, I can now proudly stand and say I am a whole fish supplier

in this community and a banker to be precise. I am the one now

supporting my children’s education, and I believe that they too will

support me in returns. I am exposed, well known and respected by my

fellow women in this community. In fact I am the chairlady for group

two in Sembehun community. And for this, even my husband and his

wife now regard me as an important person in their lives and the

community at large. As I am talking to you, I can now buy dresses for

myself, children, Mama and even my husband the chief. I am now

contributing to the development of this community by extending loan

to others and they pay me with little interest. At times I give them

money and in return they give me rice (Barter system) which I take to

Bo sell.

admission into Senior Secondary School one. With what I have been

saving, I bought my school materials and pay all my fees for the year.

After the year ended, I was promoted to SSS 2 with flying colors. But I

started wondering to myself whether I am going to continue or not.

During the period, a young man came into my life and impregnated

me. I was driven out by my uncle and went to stay with the man. My

situation became worse than it was before hoping that this man will

redeem me from the situation. Even to afford one meal a day was

difficult. I was always in tears whenever I think about my situation. I

surrendered my case to God to fight for me. With the grace from the

Almighty Allah I put to bed a bouncing baby girl. I started thinking

about our condition whether we are going to survive or not until

Neighbors started attending to some of our needs. I was with my 4

years old daughter languishing. He again went and inpregnated another

girl of the same age group. So I thought to myself that this man is not

sober minded and I should go and look for something better to do

rather than to sit here languishing. After 5 months, Planned Parenthood

Association S/L came to Damballa looking for people to serve as

Volunteer for them. I was lucky to be the first person they contacted

and I explained myself to them. With my situation, I was fortunate to

become a volunteer for them. Things started changing. After the

programme ended Restless Development also came in and I was also

fortunate to be a volunteer for them till to date. Life started changing

bit by bit.

50 | P a g e

One day I was sitting in my veranda when Mr. Bassie who is now the

Acting Principal for Selenga Junior Secondary School Damballa and also

the community facilitator came in and told me about the CCYA project

that will be coming for us the youth especially the women. After one

week a team from CCYA came and we were trained in business

management, livelihood skills and also life skills and also a

disbursement was made to the group amounting Le4, 000,000. I

received Le200, 000 as a startup. I started doing business with it and

save the profit I earned. After 2 weeks I was able to save Le 150,000. I

also jumped into another business. With all the profit our standard of

living changes from 1 meal a day to 3 meals a day, pay for my daughters

school fees and bought her all the school materials. I also gave support

to my mother and other family members and made repayment of the

money that was given to us by CCYA. Thanks to God and CCYA for

coming into my life.

Significant

of the

change to

the story

teller

This story is very much important to me because:

There is now peace between me and my husband.

Even my younger ones now see me as a mother to them even

though our mother is still alive.

People loan from me and pay back with interest.

I am now a stakeholder/chairlady.

I am respected by my mate and she calls me Ngor ‐ Elder

The story of change is very much significant to me because:

I can now turn L100, 000 to Le250, 000 for the week.

My standard of living has changed from 1 meal – 3 meals a day.

Being recognized in the community in terms of development.

Being proud of my family members and friends.

Respected by my Husband.

Story tittle CCYA has done more good than harm The day I will never forget

Domain Changes in behavior of people/community as a result of the project. Changes in quality of peoples life

51 | P a g e

ANNEX7.2b:STORYOFCHANGE–TIKONKOCHIEFDOMBODISTRICTName and

contact

details of

contributors

Iye Williams Sex: Female Age

No.4 Bo Road

Tikonko town

Musu Kargbo Sex: Female

Kortihun Section Age

Tikonko town

The story of

change

In your opinion Over the last two and half years, what has changed as

My name is Iye Williams. I am residing at the above address in

Tikonko town Bo district. Before the advent of CCYA, myself and my

mother got engaged in planting back yard gardens, harvesting

product and selling them together with purchasing cassava leaves

at farm gate prices and selling them with little profit for our living.

During the process I became ill. By the time I got recovered there

was no money in the home with neither me nor my mother.

Eventually I was impregnated by a youth for elven months. I was

then taken to Gondama hospital because of the danger signs of

pregnancy complications as expressed by the Nurse. I was in labor a

My name is Musu Kargbo. I lived at Nyagos compound Kortihun

section Tikonko town. I got out of school because of poverty since

2014 academic year. Mother and fetch fire wood from our

relative’s farms and bushes and walk seven miles to Bo to sell two

bundles each weighing 25kg. We cover another seven mile to

return to Tikonko on a daily basis since 2013 – 2014. My mother

saved about SLL 85, 000 from the Osu su and hardly managed to

return me to school again for me to sit to my BECE exams. At

school, I became thin and anemic and most community thought

and perceived me as someone that has committed abortion, but

52 | P a g e

result of the project

day and narrowly escaped caesarian operation. I eventually gave

birth to a baby girl whom we later named Watta when we returned

home in Tikonko. I got recovered completely and I will still give

thanks to God for this. During the second year, starvation comes

our way with hardship.

One day while I was sitting in our veranda wondering about how

to get food, soap to launder and medicine for my child Watta, a

youth being closed door neighbor called Ibrahim Foday came and

invited me to a CCYA meeting and that I am one of the cluster

group member. I attended a three days’ workshop where we were

provided with breakfast and lunch daily. Latter I benefited from the

micro finance with the sum of Le200, 000 as a revolving fund. I

invested this money in buying and selling of female items such as

underwear’s, Vaseline, perming cream and body perfume sprays

and combs and also mirror given them out to customers on credit

sales (By day payment). I have expanded my business by selling

food stuffs like garri and rice wherein I have got reliable customers

and I have profit over the year amounting to Le400, 000. I also have

five Bata (Equivalent to five gallons each) of palm oil reserved. I

now command and have respect in my family and Tikonko town as

a whole. I can take great care of my child Watta.

Thanks to God and CCYA for rescuing me. Thanks to master Jesus.

it was due to starvation. My mother was totally confused about

how to get my BECE fees and other school supports. So the day I

began thinking about how to quit out of school was on that same

day our school principal Mr. Nyango invited me to a CCYA forum

at school where I met my colleagues gathered.

At the meeting, Mr. Nyango and the CCYA animator addressed

us that CCYA has come to Tikonko Junior Secondary School to

assist the girls and that they will be providing us with school

uniforms, school fees, lunch, learning materials, Chinese light and

sets of batteries, and that these supports shall continue if we

happen to pass our BECE exams in 2016. I prayed and I was

chosen for this project as a beneficiary. Five of us were selected.

After that, I benefited by receiving the following items from

CCYA: Le100, 000 as lunch, past question papers, Logarithm table,

one flash light and a set of battery for study, A radio for five of us,

and a mathematical set. When I arrived home and shared this

information with my mother, she could not believe her eyes.

Thanks to God and CCYA. I started attending extra classes and all

these made me to be proud. Community people now hold me to

high esteem an their ill perception about abortion has changed

completely.

53 | P a g e

I once again thank the almighty Allah, master Jesus, my principal

and then CCYA for enabling me sit to my BECE conveniently.

Significant

change to

the story

teller

My story of change is very much important to me because:

I was suffering in Tikonko and latter redeemed by CCYA.

I am now running a profitable business that has been

expanded.

I no longer languish to get my living as before.

This story is very much important to me because:

Community people have changed their negative

perception about me (abortionist).

I nearly became a drop – out but CCYA rescued me to

regain my glory back as I had return to school safely.

Story tittle Nothing goods comes easy Regaining my past glory.

domain Changes in quality of peoples life Changes in behavior of people/community as a result of the

project.

ANNEX7.2c:STORYOFCHANGE–MASIMERACHIEFDOMPORTLOKODISTRICTName and

contact

details of

the

contributor

Isatu Bangura Sex: Female

Masimera town Age 24

Portloko district

079 64‐59‐93

Theresa Bangura Sex: Female

Kontaline town Age 26

Portloko district

030 – 77 – 18 ‐ 94

The story of

change

Before the inception of CCYA, early marriages, teenage pregnancy

and domestic violence were rampart in the town of Masimera.

Before the arrival of CCYA, I was more or less a drop – out because

my parents were too poor to pay my school fees. I was here at

54 | P a g e

In your opinion Over the last two and half years, what has changed as result of the project

Stealing was in the increase because most of the youth were

idlers and reprobates.

With the arrival of CCYA, the situation changed remarkably

among other things. CCYA gave micro finance support, life and

livelihood skills/supports and training in Business management

skills and a host of other form of support including second chance

education for girls. From the individual perceptive, I Isatu Bangura

formerly called chairlady received Le200, 000 but we were not

told whether it was a loan or grant. I used it to buy a bag of

caustic soda, and few gallons of palm oil. I went into soap

production and out of the profit I made, I decided to buy a she

goat and now I have three.

I later went into bread and cake baking for fear that soap

making will disturb my eye sight in future. This has changed my

life completely. My economic status has improved. I make over

Le200, 000 a month, in the worst case scenario.

Kontaline virtually doing nothing. I was very sickly as a result of the

frustration emanating from abject poverty. Even to have descent

cloth was a problem. I was not under control at all because I have

to struggle to feed myself.

As luck would have it, CCYA came to Kontaline and organized a

meeting for the youth at the town chief’s compound. I got wind of

their presence and left Kontakuma to attend the meeting. One

CCYA staff Mr. Sheriff picked on me by my mere look and mode of

dress. He interviewed me and asked me if I should return back to

school and I said yes. I was registered and was given the sum of

Le200, 000. I showed it to my father who advised me to go back to

school.

Now I say thanks to God and CCYA because I can boast of education

today. Since I was serious and respectful, I attracted further

supports from other people. I am now in SSS 4 at Korea school

waterloo. I intend to take my WASSCE this year and after which I

will go to Nursing school that I will come back one day and help my

family and the community at large.

Significant

change to

the story

teller

It is important because I can now support my old mother and

kids, I meet all their basic needs, and I am seen as a model in the

community. I now live a respectable life to the admiration of

other girls in Masimera. In fact I have saved enough money to

take my WASSCE next year. This story is important to me because

the assistance has prepared me to ground myself in pursuing

It is important to me because it took me away from the street

where the risk factor was very high. CCYA has taught me a good

lesson that learning is better than silver and gold.

55 | P a g e

further education which will provide livelihood support and

opportunities for growth.

It is important to me because my one time street friend now see

me as a model with quality worthy of emulation. I am a motivation

to them. My life has changed remarkably. I do interact with

intellectuals. I have enrolled for the computer course and I am

excelling to the admiration of even my father and relatives.

Story tittle Blessed is the hand that gives – no sweet without sweat Learning is better than Silver and Bronze

domain Changes in quality of peoples life Changes in quality of peoples life

ANNEX7.2d:STORYOFCHANGE–KAMANJEICHIEFDOMMOYAMBADISTRICTName and

contact

details of the

contributors

Fattu Alfred (Group Leader) Sex: Female

Gondama Community Age 22

Kowama section

078 – 89 – 87 ‐ 72

Ibrahim Kamara (Direct Beneficiary) Sex: Male

Senehun Community Age 26

Tawovahun section

076 – 96 – 38 ‐ 45

56 | P a g e

The story of

change


I was staying at Freetown with my uncle for a very long time. I was

attending Agape Experimental high school and unfortunately I got

pregnant and I was driven by my uncle. I later went and stayed with

the man who was responsible for the pregnancy for a period of

time until I delivered my baby boy. By then, the man lost his mother

and we were staying with his uncle in the same house.

Things were very difficult for us since the father of my baby was a

pupil going to school. I decided to return back to my parents at

Gondama. As soon as I arrived, I lost my father within a period of

two months which make my situation worst and stressful. I started

going to farm with my mother since she has no one to help her with

the farm work. So the little money she had was used to pay for

labor and I was the one leading the laborers doing the cooking and

other domestic activities.

One blessed day, I was passing by when I met my uncle by the

name of Edward Kallay and asked me if I am aware of such

programmed named CCYA and I said no. my uncle told me that

even his own son has registered as a direct beneficiary. I

immediately went to one of the community youth leader and I was

registered by him as a beneficiary for the CCYA program.

I have experienced a lot of positive changes through the

intervention of the CCYA project including the 200,000.0, to name

but few. I am now capable and responsible for the payment of

I was staying with my family at Taiama going to school. I was

doing a lot of domestic and farming activities for them hoping

that they will help support me in my education. Unfortunately,

they refused helping me to further my education especially when

I was promoted to JSS III. They willfully refused to pay my school

fees and other school materials, so I had no option or means of

earning money.

I later decided to go to my mother at Senehun. But unfortunately,

my mother also was unable to pay for my education. Things were

difficult with my mother even to have a meal for the day was not

easy let alone for her to pay my school fees. So I decided to forget

about my education and join her to the farm. After sometime, I

got married and had a child.

I was later informed about the CCYA program from one of my

friends in the community who was the youth leader. I was

registered as a member (Direct Beneficiary). We were later called

upon to attend a training conducted by CCYA. The training was

based on Human rights, live skills and livelihood training. After

that we were given money in a form of micro finance support

which was Le200, 000 per individual and I used it to start my

business in cigarette and sweet selling.

There are a lot of positive changes in my life now as compared to

the past before the intervention of CCYA project. I can now

provide for myself and my family through the micro finance

support given to me. And with the skilled acquired from the

57 | P a g e

laborers’ in my mother’s farm, responsible for the Medicare and

other domestic activities of the family.

Thanks to God Almighty and CCYA for supporting me

training, I can now do business and further transform Le10, 000

to Le30, 000 which could be used to take care of myself, family

and other domestic issues.

Thank God Almighty and CCYA for given me this kind of support.

Significant to

the story

teller

I have experienced a lot of significant changes because:

I am responsible for the payment of individuals (Laborers)

who work in my mother’s farm

Capable of supporting the welfare of my family members.

I have experienced a lot of significant changes but the most

important of all are:

I can now provide for the welfare of myself and family

through the micro finance support given to me.

With the sensitization of the CCYA program, I now know

my human rights as an individual which I never had about

before.

Acquired knowledge and skills in Agro based enterprises

and how to run a business enterprise.

Story tittle From Grass to Grace When one door is closed another is opened

domain Changes in behavior of people/community as a result of the project Changes in quality of peoples life

ANNEX7.2e:STORYOFCHANGE–DASSECHIEFDOMMOYAMBADISTRICTName and

contact

details of the

contributors

Nancy Monrovia Sex: Female

Madina community Age 19

Mano section

Titus Johnny Sex: Male

Nya mania community Age 21

Taemidae section

58 | P a g e

The story of

change


My name is Nancy Monrovia living in the village of Madina

Mano section Dasse chiefdom Moyamba district. Sometimes in

2013 when I was promoted to JSS II, my father took me to my

aunt in Bo to continue my school because of my father’s poor

income status. My father’s hope was for my aunt to assist him

for my school support, but it was quite the opposite. Instead of

sending me to school, she used to give me market to go and sell

for my school support. I only have a pair of uniform, a shoe for

the rest of the academic year. I had only a meal for the day. At

the end of the academic year, instead of me promoting to JSS

III, I failed. When I went on holiday, my mother who used to

give courage and confidence for me to learn passed away. My

father asked me to continue school in Mano and I was enrolled

into Dasse Agricultural Secondary School. While attending

school in Mano, a guy came into my life as a boyfriend and was

very supportive to me in terms of my school affairs.

In January 2014, his motor bike was stolen at his work place

and was sacked out of the job. He then returned home for a

while. In two months later, I became pregnant and dropped out

of school again. Things were just going from bad to worse. In

this same year, Ebola broke out in Sierra Leone and ravaged

every livelihood in this Country. One cold morning, I asked

myself will I make it with the pregnancy and the Ebola disease

and the situation with my boyfriend. I concluded that my

dream of being an educated woman, making my family happy

one day was completely chartered. In January 2015, I gave birth

to a baby girl by the name of Musu.

My name is Titus Johnny of the above address. Over the last two

years or so, my main livelihood has been farming on a small scale

because of lack of resources.

Sometimes in January 2014, I went to Mano to see my brother to loan

me some money to start doing business when I came across the

chiefdom youth leader Ibrahim Gberrie. In our conversation, I

explained to him my purpose of coming to see my brother. Mr.

Gberrie in turn informed me of a youth support by an NGO called

CCYA and that they will be supporting youths in the area of micro

finance, awareness raising and also on other skills training program.

He asked me to go and form two youth groups. In February, CCYA

registered our groups and supported us with Le4, 000, 000 per group

of twenty (20) members and Le200, 000 to each member.

I am now doing some petty trading as a result of the support giving.

My life has changed.

59 | P a g e

One morning, as God can change the life of his slave, I was

sitting in our Veranda breastfeeding my baby and I saw our

form master and the principal coming towards me. I was about

to run away but they saw me first and called upon me and told

me to feel free that all is not lost. They ask me if I am ready to

continue my school. Jubilantly I said yes – yes and promised

them that I will not let them down. They briefed me about the

CCYA project support out of School girls and asked me to go to

school and register. I went to school and I was registered and

given support by CCYA and I am presently in JSS III.my life has

turned around all again for progress and hope to be educated.

Significant of

change to

the story

teller

The story of change is of significant to me the story teller

because my hope has returned

This story of change is of important to me because before the

intervention of the CCYA project, I was helpless

Story tittle My dream of being educated back on course. More to it than said

Domain Changes in quality of peoples life Changes quality of people’s life

ANNEX7.2f:STORYOFCHANGE–BUYAROMENDEPORTLOKODISTRICTName and

contact

details of the

contributors

Ramatu M. Kabba Sex: Female

Foredugu community Age: 25

Buya Romende chiefdom

Sorie Sesay Sex: Male

Kamasondo community Age 25

Buya Romende Chiefdom

60 | P a g e

099 – 311 ‐ 508

The story of

change


I am Ramatu M. Kabba born on the 29th April 1991at the above

address. I started school at Roman Catholic Primary School at

Foredugu and later joined the Junior Secondary in 2002 and

later joined the A.D Wurie junior secondary school Lunsar.

I left school and later decided to join the traditional Bondo

society dance group going in and around the district of

Portloko.

IAs an orphan I fear nobody and I was not under control. My

friends and people around the community started calling me

ORSAMPA – meaning the great bondo dancer. After few years,

I was impregnated for an unknown husband. I decided to go

and leave with a friend in Portloko town. Even for the two of

us to have food was a problem as she too was pregnant. The

hunger continued and eventually I gave birth to a dead baby.

When I regained from the ordeal, I realized that I have missed

an opportunity for not continuing my education.

Few weeks later, I was seated by the radio and I heard about

CCYA supporting youth in our community. I did not waste any

time than to go and register myself for the support. I was

trained on how to do business and I was given a startup of

Le200, 000. After two years in business, I am able to feed

myself, rent a room, dressed myself and even to the extent

people who were laughing at me now see me as some body

I am Sorie Sesay a youth living in Kamasondo town Buya Romende

chiefdom Portloko District. My parents were very poor and cannot

afford to provide 3 meals a day let alone to send me to school. My

father died at when I was 9 years old and I was left with my mother

who was asked by my uncle Osman to married her and she refused

to his proposal knowing that he is not a responsible man.

Two years later, my mother also died in a road accident, which

made me a complete orphan. I only get food to eat by the provision

made by Allah, or someone sent me to go and work for him/her or

selling goods for people just for me to survive. The community used

to called me “a theft a Worok” – meaning somebody who does all

sort of work just to survive. And to the extent the community gang

against me to drive me away from the village because I was alleged

of stealing a goat from the paramount chief. I later decided to move

to Foredugu located at Lunsar Makeni high way. I became a street

boy at Foredugu and slept on the table at the Luma market.

One morning, I met with my childhood friend Ibrahim from

Kamasondo at the Luma market. He told me that Mr. joseph

Bangura the head master and now the focal person for CCYA has

informed youth that CCYA had a program that caters for the youth

and they will be coming to register them. I became interested and

joined Ibrahim for the registration. I was registered for the micro

finance support, but some community people still looked at me that

I am a criminal.

61 | P a g e

very much important in the society and also they loan from

me.

After acquiring capacity building training and awareness raising and

also training on micro finance, they gave us a startup capital to start

a small scale business. Each group member got a share of L200,

000. I then decided to embark on palm oil and fruit selling. After

two and half years in the business field with a lot of profit, some

community members and stakeholders who were looking low upon

me now ask me for loan. I am now called sober man.

Significant

change to

the story

teller

This story is very much important to me because I have now

realized that I was going with the wrong way but CCYA have

put me back on track.

It is important to me because I have regained my integrity and lost

glory.

Story tittle Experience is the best teacher To succeed is to persevere.

Domain Changes in quality of peoples life Changes in behavior of people/community as a result of the project

ANNEX7.2g:STORYOFCHANGE–WATERLOOCOMMUNITYName and

contact

details of

contributors

Winifred Garrick Sex: Female

29 Liddell street Age 29

077‐66‐31‐36

Anita Koroma Sex: Female

CSW Age: 28

17 Banana street Waterloo

030‐47‐94‐43

62 | P a g e

The story of

change


Before CCYA came, I was a youth engaged in small scale

business enterprise which I was not able to do much for my

family because I do my business in my compound. My so call

husband was not having any regard for me as a wife.Food

for the house was a problem and people were laughing at us

calling us all sort of names by telling us that we are going to

die in poverty. I was ashamed of myself at times plan to

leave the community.

Two years back, when CCYA came, we were trained on how

to do business, save part of our profit and how to turn Le30,

000 to 70, 000. When they gave us this training, we were

now able to do a successful business, and have good savings.

Out of the profit we gather for the week I am able to pay my

child’s school fees without a problem. There was Ebola

epidemic and businesses were not running fast. With the

support that was given to me by CCYA and through their

supervision, I am now doing a successful business..

They gave us Le200, 000 as a start‐up capital. With all this, I

and my family now live in peace at home, have 3 meals a

day, pay for my children’s school fees and other school

charges, save part of the profit and also extend credit facility

to other youth who pay back with little interest. Well

recognized in the community and the surrounding as a

whole. I thank the almighty Allah by connecting CCYA to this

part of the country.

Before the intervention of CCYA, I was on a business which was an illegal

business to me that is using my body as a business center to make ends

meet because there was no way out for me to survive. I am married with

three daughters. My husband used to sell second hand Tyres at Tombo

park, but cannot provide enough for the family. So I had to do what I was

doing to my body.

When I came in contact with CCYA and became a beneficiary, I was given

a start‐up capital to start up a business so that I can change my way of

living. I entered in Gara tie dying. I make my product and give them out

on credit bases. I am making profit at the end of my sales.

Ah!! Life is much better now as compared to before. I have surrendered

the illegal act I was doing doing. I used to hang around late at night

clubs, Ghetto’s as the job require me to do. I am now my own boss and I

earn respectfully. I can now take care of my children without any fear for

them to know my sources of income.

The community ill perception about me has changed and my friends now

see me as a responsible woman and they too are trying to avoid such

act.

Thanks to God by bringing CCYA into my life. We now have 3 meals a day

and even share with our neighbors..

63 | P a g e

Significant

change of

the story

teller

The story of change is very much important to me because:

I can speak with duty bearers in terms of decision

making.

Have a well‐established shop on my own.

Great development in terms of available financial

support for my children and other family members.

My relation with my partner has become as cordial

as he now sees me as a woman.

It is very much important to me because:

I Anita can now manage to attend community meetings.

I can no longer use my body as a business center to cater for my

family.

Some of my former friends now come around me to do my

business instead of going into prostitution again.

I now have respect in the community.

Story tittle What goes around surely comes around. She chooses it to be good!!

domain Changes in the quality of people’s life. Changes in the behavior of people/community as a result of the project.

7.3.KeyinformantInterviewsandoutcomes

ANNEX7.3a:KEYINFORMANTINTERVIEW–DASSECHIEFDOMMOYAMBADISTRICTName and details of Respondents Julius Kotuwa

Principal

Dasse Agricultural secondary school ‐ Mano

Brima Musa

Community Teacher

Dasse Agricultural secondary school ‐ Mano

64 | P a g e

Enrollment and support and relevance

Were youths enrolled in your school for the second chance education? If yes how many? Where they provided with any support at all? If yes, describe the support. Do you see this addressing the real needs of the community and the youths? Why do you say so?

What value does the school add to the process?

Yes, Ten (10) female youth were enrolled in my

school for each year. They were supported with

learning materials like Books 1dozen each,

Mathematical Set, study lamp, three set of batteries

and Le100, 000 for BECE examination support, lunch

and lodging at Njala, radio set, hand washing soap

and buckets. Yes, the support was very timely

because these youth are very vulnerable and cannot

afford these materials to learn that is why they were

dropped out of school. The money given for the

BECE exams helps them greatly for lunch and

lodging.

The school authority ensures that they come to

school and they like the school work.

Yes, ten female youths were enrolled in the

school. They were supported with six (6) pens

each, one (1) dozen exercise books, 1 study lamp,

3 sets of batteries, 1 mathematical set and Le100,

000 per pupils for lunch and lodging for BECE

exam at Njala.

Yes, because these youth are highly vulnerable

and lack financial support from their parents.

These youth were idling but they are very serious

at school and idleness among youth is reducing

and also illiteracy level minimize. The school

authority closely monitors the activities of these

youth at school.

Performance of youth in second chance

education

Where those enrolled regular in school? If for any reason were not regular, what were the main hindrances/constraint affecting these youths.

Yes, youth enrolled in my school were regular. Those

irregular in school were complaining of long distance

by covering 3‐4 miles off the school.

Generally, the youth are doing well at school, they

do their school work in school and their relationship

with teachers and their colleagues is very cordial.

Youth enrolled in my school are regular in school.

However, the only pupils that were irregular at

school were complaining of the long distance they

covered to come to school and sometimes asked

to go and work in the farm.

The pupils are doing well at school. Nine (9) out of

ten (10) of the first batch that sat to the BECE

passed and are now in senior secondary schools.

65 | P a g e

Measure and significant change

Do you notice any change in the youths – if yes, describe the changes.

How important are these changes to the youths and the community.

Yes, there is significant change in the youth because

they are very serious about their school work, they

look very smart, neat, copy their notes and pass

their test and exams. Nine (9) out of ten (10) of the

first batch that sat to the BECE passed and are now

in senior secondary schools.

The changes are very important to the youth

because they now have the confidence to learn at

higher level. To the community, there is a reduction

of school drop‐outs, early marriages, teenage

pregnancy and less idleness within the youth.

Yes, there are some changes in the lives of the

youth because they come to school every day, do

their school work, changes in idleness to

seriousness with their school and have now

promised to continue their education to higher

level.

These changes are very much important to the

community as the project has reduce youths drop‐

out in the community and idleness among the

youths.

Sustainability of the programme after

CCYA and partners support What will make this second chance education for these youths continue after CCYA and her partner support finished. What structures are already in place to ensure this work?

Are the structures community led and owned ‐ Meaning can they be operational with community support? If no, what will make them work accordingly (what needs to be strengthened)?

The board of the school, CTA, old boys and old girls

will provide scholarship scheme for school drop‐

outs.

There are structures in place like the CTA, Dasse

child welfare committee and they are community

led and owned and with the full support from the

community.

The youths are willing to continue their education

because of the successes they have scored are

awaiting for the SSS education.

The CTA and the chiefdom development

committee to organized scholarship scheme for

out of school youth. The youth’s wing, CTA,

Teachers association and the school board are the

structures put in place for the sustainability of the

program.

These structure are led and owned by the

community and can be in full support from the

community.

There is willingness in the youth to continue their

education after the CCYA supports.

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What can you say about the willingness of the youth to continue after the support?

Yes, there are by‐laws.

There are by‐laws in the school that if a youth

become pregnant, the support will be withdrawn

from her. But at the community I don’t know.

Suggestion for strategy improvement

What suggestion can you make to improve on the project implementation strategies particularly the second chance education and back to school for girls

Community by‐laws to supervise and monitor the

pupils in the program. There should also be an

increase in the number of youths in the programme.

They should add the support given for the second

chance education like text books, school fees and

uniform.

CCYA to increase in the number of youth as there

are still others waiting to be helped, and they

should also include boys to be part of their

project. This support should also continue at

WASSCE level.

ANNEX7.3b:KEYINFORMANTINTERVIEWGUIDE–MASIMERACHIEFDOMPORTLOKODISTRICT.

Name of respondent: Augustine U. Koroma

Sex: Male

Position: Community Teacher

Designation: Saint Anthony of Padua Masimera

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Enrollment and support and relevance

Were youths enrolled in your school for the second chance education? If yes how many? Where they provided with any support at all? If yes, describe the support. Do you see this addressing the real needs of the community and the youths? Why do you say so?

What value does the school add to the process?

Yes, 10 of them. They were provided with flash lamps, batteries,

Logarithm books, Geometry sets and pencils, pens, past papers and a

sum of Le100, 000 per pupil as incentive. From the community point of

view, we mobilize resources like food and batteries to relieve the

burden on parents. The community members are also benefiting from

the skills trainings. For the youth, the drop‐out rates has decrease and it

has led to the formation of viable youth organization that is so active.

They are also conversant with the skills acquired with much awareness

raising.

As an institution, Saint Anthony compliments the effort of CCYA by

ensuring that the benefits reach the intended beneficiaries. The

Teachers also interpreted the past question papers that was provided

by CCYA.

Performance of youth in second chance education

Where dose enrolled regular in school? If for any reason were not regular, what were the main hindrances/constraint affecting these youths.

Describe the general performance of the youth at school. How did they do the school work, how was the relationship with teachers and colleagues.

Yes they are performing although not 100% because health issues creep

in and also bereavement issues.

For the last three years or so, we have been getting 100% passes in

public exams. There is a board that monitors the behavior of the pupils.

As for the school work they mostly work in groups. The relationship is

very cordial nearly 100% with teachers and colleagues. We have what

we call ‘pekin‐ to pekin’ relationship that brings them together in a very

peaceful atmosphere.

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Measure and significant change

Do you notice any change in the youths – if yes, describe the changes.

How important are these changes to the youths and the community.

Yes I do. They themselves are now preaching against violence,

determined more than ever before to find their living. They now rely on

their own hard work, not on friends or relation.

Recovered from syndrome of being bad guys in the communities as

dropouts.

Sustainability of the programme after CCYA and

partners support

What will make this second chance education for these youths continue after CCYA and her partner support finished. What structures are already in place to ensure this work?

Are the structures community led and owned ‐ Meaning can they be operational with community support? If no, what will make them work accordingly (what needs to be strengthened)?

The School Management committee to ensure smooth running by

supervising and monitoring the activities of these youths.

These structures are led and owned by the community. They can be

operational without outside support but with the support of the

community. The following should be strengthen: motivation and

incentive to community teachers, technical support in building on the

skills already acquired as well as logistic support.

They are willing to continue because they are focused and full of

confidence using the CCYA support as a stepping stone. Some have

enrolled for Functional Adult Literacy.

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What can you say about the willingness of the youth to continue after the support?

Are any by‐laws at community level to guide these process of second chance education for youths?

Yes. Sanction imposed to regulate the conduct of youth with regards to

deviant behaviors..

Suggestion for strategy improvement

What suggestion can you make to improve on the project implementation strategies particularly the second chance education and back to school for girls?

To increase the number of direct beneficiaries from 10‐20 and also

improve on monitoring the use of CCYA materials even before they

reached the school. Lunch and transport to pupils to be increased from

Le100, 000 to Le150, 000 and also the inclusion of boys.

Annex7.4:ListofselectedchiefdomsindicatingnumberofFocusgroupandKeyInformantInterviewsandnumberofparticipants

District Selected chiefdoms

Type of interview Number conducted

Participant Number Category of participants involved

Male Female Total

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Moyamba Dasse Youth Focus Group Discussion

2 10 10 20 Cluster Secretary, Assistant Chairlady, PRO, other members

Duty Bearer Focus group 1 6 4 10 Chiefdom Speaker, Pastor, Imam, town chiefs, ward committee member, Court chairman, child welfare committee chair

Key Informant Interview 2 2 0 2 Principal Dasse Secondary school, Community teacher

Kamajai Youth Focus Group Discussion

1 5 5 10 Group leader, Assistant Leader, Secretary, members

Duty Bearer Focus group 2 10 10 20 Tribal authorities, Imam, town chiefs, women leader, society leader, Elders

Key Informant Interview 1 1 0 1 Teacher

Bo Tikonko Youth Focus Group Discussion

2 12 8 20 Chairman, adviser, chairlady, secretary, other members of cluster group

Duty Bearer Focus group 1 6 4 10 Town chief, Speaker, Rev Pastor, Imam, Principal, Woman chief, elders

Key Informant Interview 1 1 0 1 Principal Tikonko Secondary school

Selenga Youth Focus Group Discussion

2 10 10 20 Youth Leader, Chairlady, PRO, Secretary, Other Members

Duty Bearer Focus group 1 7 3 10 Paramount chief, town chiefs, chiefdom speaker, section chief, section speaker, women leader, compound head

Key Informant Interview 1 1 0 1 Principal – Selenga Junior Secondary school

District Selected chiefdoms

Type of interview Number conducted

Participant Number Category of participants involved

Male Female Total

Port Loko Masemira Youth Focus Group Discussion

2 10 10 20 Youth Leader, Chairlady, PRO, Secretary, Assistant group leader, other members

Duty Bearer Focus group 1 7 3 Town chiefs, section headmen, Special Assistant to the Paramount Chief, Women Leader, Elders

Key Informant Interview 2 1 0 1 Community Teachers St Anthony of Padua and King Fahad Islamic Junior Secondary School

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Buya Romende

Youth Focus Group Discussion

2 10 10 20 Chairlady, PWD youth, members, chairman, secretary

Duty Bearer Focus group 1 8 2 10 Town chief, section chief, women head, Imam, Pastor, Tribal Authority

Key Informant Interview 1 1 0 1 Community Teacher – K/Fai Rashideen Junior Secondary School

Western Rural

Waterloo Youth Focus group 2 14 6 20 Youth leader, secretary, chairlady, PRO. Members of the group

Waterloo Duty Bearers 1 7 3 10 Town chief, speaker, section leader, women leader, society head, elders of the communities

Annex7.5:ListofDeskReviewDocuments

1. Sierra Leone Youth Policy‐ Youth Act 2011

2. Project Document CCYA/ODW‐ Sierra Leone

3. Baseline Assessment Final Report

4. Semi Annual Report 2014: ODW/CCYA

5. Semi Annual Report 2015: ODW/CCYA

6. Annual report form Taksvarkki 2016