“The program is all about empowerment,” Siegler said. “More than 65 percent of the population of Sierra Leone is under 18 years old and many without parents. Most young adults between the ages of 18 to 28 were denied an education during the civil war and the majority of the older generation was killed during the conflict. Now, it’s about helping this whole generation take back control of their lives and the community.”
In 2004, Chris Siegler and his wife Jeannie witnessed the mission of the YMCA being put into practice in a very real way in Sierra Leone, where they both had worked in the Peace Corps
Missoula YMCA Helps Sierra Leone Rebuild in the Wake of Civil War
04.22.2009 – Missoula, Montana—The CEO of western Africa’s Sierra Leone YMCA, Christian Kamara, will be in Missoula April 26 through April 29, 2009, to share the success of the partnership between the Missoula Family YMCA and the Sierra Leone YMCA. Five years ago, the Missoula Family YMCA began sending money and supplies to the Sierra Leone YMCA to help support their youth vocational training programs. Kamara will be presenting to various community organizations and leaders while in Missoula. Through the fundraising efforts of the Missoula YMCA, Montanans have already donated $56,380 to the Sierra Leone YMCA and are hoping to raise another $30,000 to add another YMCA in the town of Makeni.
In 2004, Missoula resident Chris Siegler and his wife Jeannie witnessed the mission of the YMCA being put into practice in a very real way in Sierra Leone, where they both had worked in the Peace Corps. They stumbled upon a YMCA in Freetown and discovered the YMCA was providing vocational training for youths so they could support themselves and rebuild the country after 11 years of civil war. Recognizing that the Missoula YMCA could lend a hand, Siegler brought the cause back to Missoula.
“The program is all about empowerment,” Siegler said. “More than 65 percent of the population of Sierra Leone is under 18 years old and many without parents. Most young adults between the ages of 18 to 28 were denied an education during the civil war and the majority of the older generation was killed during the conflict. Now, it’s about helping this whole generation take back control of their lives and the community.”
The vocational programs include bookkeeping, economics, English language studies, computer studies, business calculation, office practice, brick laying, agriculture, tailoring and carpentry. Twenty to 30 young adults a year attend the vocational school. Once they graduate, the students must then either donate money back to the school or train someone else with their skills.
The next stage of fundraising will go to finance the newest Sierra Leone YMCA in Makeni as well as the Technical and Trade Training Center, with additional staff and updated equipment. The Makeni YMCA will receive its official YMCA designation in September 2009, while members of the Missoula YMCA International Committee are visiting.
The Sierra Leone YMCA was able to renovate a hostel in Freetown using grant money received from YUSA, which was made up of donations from the Missoula YMCA and YMCAs around the country. The generated income from the renovated hostel allowed the Sierra Leone YMCA to expand its sports, recreation and employment programs to reach more than 10,000 disadvantaged youths.
“We don’t tell Sierra Leone how to use the donation money. Their YMCAs already know and have programs in place with proven results,” Siegler said. “The Sierra Leone YMCA has done a fantastic job of creating programs that empower young people. We can easily translate their experience into programs we provide for youth at our own YMCA.”
The YMCA is one of the largest volunteer organizations in the world, serving more than 45 million people in 120 countries. Because of its size, strength and long history of contribution, the YMCA of the USA is well positioned to make a significant, positive impact on the human condition globally. The YMCA World Service raises awareness of and financial support for the powerful work of the global YMCA movement. As part of the YMCA of the USA International Group, YMCA World Service raises and distributes more than $1 million annually to help fund programs that are critical to the development of YMCAs around the world.
