TVL is bringing free education to Golu, Sierra Leone!

After a long and hard year of battling Ebola, Sierra Leone is still working tirelessly to put the pieces of it's already fragile healthcare system, education system and economy back together. People are back to work but the lasting effects of Ebola are still very much present. There are more orphan's and teenage pregnancies than before and the local businesses are struggling to recoup lost revenues. During the height of the Ebola outbreak, TVL knew that the community we work in - Golu - really needed something to keep a sense of normalcy while things were anything but. So we proposed to the community committee an education program that would provide 300 children out of school with a daily obligation to lessons. On March 1st we launched our Radio Education & Tutoring Program. We provided 100 radios and 300 school supply kits so that the children could take advantage of the broadcasted school lessons that the Ministry of Education and UNICEF put on in place of schools being closed. In addition to this we hired 4 volunteer teachers from the community and provided a monthly stipend for them to help and tutor the children on their lessons. Furthermore, we wanted to encourage attendance and we were able to keep an average weekly attendance around 80% by providing incentives in the form of biscuits for the children.

Even though Ebola is still lingering in the country we are moving forward with our plans to install a digital library into the community resource center in Golu. TVL is headed back to Golu this August to begin the final phase of our Project Golu - providing access to free education. We have already purchased the digital library but we are still collecting donations to go towards more computers and tablets. If you would like to make a contribution towards free education in Golu you can do so here. TVL will also accept hardware donations. If you are upgrading your laptop or tablet you can make a donation to TVL by getting in touch with us at info@thevillagelink.org.

We'll keep you posted on our progress as we countdown the days until we leave and during our trip. Stay tuned for more!

Cheers,

The Village Link Team

TVL is looking for a superstar International Project Coordinator for the summer!

The Village Link is a registered 501(c)(3) in San Mateo County, CA.  We facilitate economic development and sustainability in underserved communities through entrepreneurship, technology and education. Currently, our pilot project operates in a remote, rural village in Sierra Leone, Golu. With some help from TVL, the villagers in Golu built a community resource center and installed solar panels for electricity. Now, it is ready to house educational resources and offer programs for the residents.

TVL seeks a part time community project coordinator to work this summer. An extended period of volunteerism may also be available.  This is a volunteer position.

Your Role….

• Assist TVL directors with the planning and launch of project components;
• Work with TVL directors and partners in Sierra Leone to coordinate logistics;
• Fulfill administrative tasks as directed;
• Assist with the execution of social media marketing channel communications to TVL followers;
• Work remotely; and
• Attend weekly status meetings in person.

Applicant requirements:

• Interest in Africa's development;
• Solution-driven;
• Results-oriented;
• Excellent problem solving skills.
• Able to work independently and collaboratively.
• Excellent english written and oral communication skills.
• Experience in project coordination (during college or work).
• Excellent time management skills.
• Ability to volunteer between 10 - 20 hrs a week.

The Perks…

• Once you have successfully completed your internship at the end of the summer we will evaluate your work and provide feedback and a reference for future employment. In addition, TVL will award a discretionary bonus based on performance.
• Free 1 bedroom rental in Redwood City, CA (if from out of town).
• Experience working on an innovative project that directly affects the community members in a positive way - driving economic and community development through education and entrepreneurship.

Timing…

• July - August 31 (2015) with the possibility to extend.
• 10 - 20 hrs per week
• Now taking applications

Interested parties can apply to this position at info@thevillagelink.org with the subject headline: Summer Internship - Volunteer Community Project Coordinator.

The Image Hollywood Created of Africa (Video)

Children's Ebola Recovery Assessment: Sierra Leone

A report by:  Save the Children, World Vision International, Plan International and UNICEF.

"Nearly half the population of Sierra Leone is under the age of 18 years and the impact of the Ebola crisis on their lives now and on their future opportunities has been far-reaching: no school; loss of family members and friends to the virus; and changing roles and responsibilities in the home and the community.

While the priority now remains meeting the goal of zero cases, the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) is also developing a comprehensive strategy aimed at supporting communities to recover from this crisis, to put the country back on track to meet development targets. The Ebola Recovery Strategy – currently being finalised by the GoSL – represents a potentially transformative framework to support the immediate recovery of children from the crisis and to ensure their place in the future development of Sierra Leone.

To date, there has not been a formal process for children to outline their own priorities for recovery to decision-makers. In mid-March 2015, child-centred agencies conducted a Children’s Ebola Recovery Assessment (CERA) in nine districts across Sierra Leone to create a mechanism for more than 1,100 boys and girls, to discuss issues of concern; assess the impact of the crisis on their roles, responsibilities and future opportunities; and to formulate their recommendations for recovery.

The findings of the CERA powerfully demonstrate the diverse and inter-connected impact of the outbreak for children living through the Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone. Children identified four issues of concern:

1. The impact of school closure on their learning, social interaction and protection and their desire to return to education;
2. The many and varied direct impacts Ebola has had on their lives, including grief, fear and anxiety;
3. Limited access to healthcare for common health problems; and
4. The wider economic impact of the crisis on their families and communities, including access to food and family livelihoods.

Overwhelmingly, children viewed the closure of schools as the issue of primary concern for them and were unanimous about the potential impacts this could have on their futures opportunities. Across all nine districts, children reported a direct correlation between school closure and increases of child labour and exploitation, exposure to violence in the home and community, and teenage pregnancy. Children also described taking on new roles and responsibilities to supplement household income.

As Sierra Leone emerges from one of the most challenging crises in its history, boys and girls have clear views on what they need, want and expect from decision-makers in the community and government. Education, access to healthcare and a safe environment in which to grow up rank top of the list for children’s recovery from the legacy of Ebola in Sierra Leone." READ MORE

Learn about TVL's Radio Education Program.