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Title: GET IT
Location:
, Western Area,
Categories: Education
Technology
Status:
In Planning
Timeline:
August 26 11 to August 26 11
Description:
GET IT, is an IT training centre for young adults (aged 18-30) in Freetown, Sierra Leone with a view to equip potential employees with essential skills in literacy, numeracy, business awareness (especially customer service and modern language skills).
This centre will provide necessary training for adults who did not have formal education (due to the war), are not in formal education or employment and empower them to become part of the skilled workforce that is required in the emerging construction, mining and telecommunications industries.
GET IT is pioneering, professional and progressive to help create a developed Sierra Leone.
Potential stakeholders:
Partners/team members - expertise in education, modern foreign languages & IT
Office of the Diaspora - the government set up the organisation to link potential project managers/funders to those who are already on the ground to avoid duplication of efforts and increase collaboration.
Businesses - private and government businesses in order to provide work experience placements etc
Investors - AFFORD, SAM King group, NASSIT, Office of the Diaspora, DFID & Sierra Leonean commnunities in the UK & USA
Government - to keep ears on the ground
Community - to impact in a positive and sustainable way
Schools - to develop lines of communication and clusters of excellence in order to have feeder schools for the adult training programme envisaged.
Background:
Sierra Leone suffered a brutal war that lasted over 12 years and this had detrimental effects on the education system that was already shambolic. Coupled with the corrupt system of employment that resulted after 30 years of poor governance and management of funds, the youth were again adversely affected. Finally, a lot of youth have turned to drugs, crime and prostitution as a means to earning a living in an environment that does not seem to notice the most populous group in the country is dying as a result.
Environmentally, the vast majority of youth live in poverty, squalor and in danger of wasting their assets wondering the streets of Freetown. Secondly, over population in the city as a result of the war means the environment is very harsh for the average young person that is looking for a job. Most of them are in ‘disguised employment’ selling packets of pens, sweets, handkerchiefs etc. Finally, as a result of the issues mentioned above, nepotism is rife and a larger percentage of youth believe that witchcraft is used to secure positions and promotions without interruptions for years. A lot of young Sierra Leoneans are looking to leave the country, whether they do so legally or illegally. Therefore, we are losing the future of our country, unless people like myself choose to return in our droves and create an uprising that will alter the current trends.
The community in Sierra Leone is ready for a change having experienced almost 10 years of relative peace and development. It is also clear when I visit, that the average young person does not trust the older generation to create lasting opportunities that will benefit them.
This is what this project proposes to create through the medium of grass roots development by the people, for themselves.
Purpose: To create an education for young adults that is so much more.
Mission: Provide opportunities for young adults who had to forfeit their formal education during the war as well as those who are underprivileged and not yet benefiting from the MDGs free education programmes. They will be able to access literacy (including a foreign language), numeracy & ICT skills in order to prepare them for the current and future employment markets.
Vision: Sierra Leone’s unemployment figures will reduce as a result of vested interest in creating opportunities within the country. Increase in the level of skill displayed by the average Sierra Leonean looking for work - to compete with Africans of a similar age. The aim is also to see close collaboration with local and international businesses in Sierra Leone in order to support the work experience process, the internship opportunities and fund scholarships and apprenticeships within the country and perhaps abroad.
Objectives:
SMART GOALS
Set up an organisation/corporation in Sierra Leone
Choose a name, patent it and register it
Secure funding
Secure site for the building in Sierra Leone (but be prepared to rent initially)
Milestones:
August 2011- December 2012
Planning meetings with Allan (IT set up).
Volunteer for SLWT charity to see how to run projects well. Necessary logistics and administration (legal & economic)
Meet succissively with Allan. Write my proposal to become a Trustee with SLWT.
Help in defining the project and mapping it out successfully. Project would be set up in 3 years' time as planned.
Talk to friends and family about possible name choices.
Seek expertise in marketing and setting up the website or other marketing devices.
Secure a functioning name that has a functioning website.
Write business plan
Contact AFFORD, Office of the Diaspora and enquire about other organisations in Sierra Leone. Friends and family on the ground to source out funding and set up relevant links (those who are already in the system because unfortunately, this will play a major part).
Source available and sustainable funds for a certain length of time with oportunities to secure more as the project progresses.
January 2014
Buy land, fence it off and build foundation to prevent encroaching.
Source information on the land that is available and enquire about the prices.
Purchase materials needed for fencing off the land. Obtain logistical, financial, architectural and help from the community.
Building is erected and fit for purpose within the time scale set. Or, I have paid the rent for use of a suitable space.
Budget:
Year 1 of operation (aspirational) Fundraising Events:£2,000.00 Donations:
£3,000.00 Direct Debits: £1,000.00 Grants from bids: £10,000.00
TOTAL INCOME: £16,000.00
EXPENSES: Salaries: n/a because I will be setting up in the first year Equipment:£5,000.00
Stationary:£2,000.00
Marketing: £1,000.00 Travel: £2,000.00 Utilities: £3,000.00
TOTAL EXPENSE:£13,000.00
Needs:
Sustained sources of funding.
IT equipment from sources that are revamping their outfits.
Educational supplies from establishemtns that are revamping their supplies.
Professional Sierra Leoneans that can receive training to help run the centre.
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