A Beacon of Hope for New Empowerment Initiative-Sierra Leone

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A Beacon of Hope for New Empowerment Initiative-Sierra Leone

Bo, Southern Sierra Leone, West Africa 10th August, 2024 Sir. Patrick Bijou, a renowned philanthropist, has once again demonstrated his unwavering commitment to the upliftment of Sierra Leone through his generous support for the youth-led non-profit, Non-Governmental Organization called New

Bo, Southern Sierra Leone, West Africa

10th August, 2024

Sir. Patrick Bijou, a renowned philanthropist, has once again demonstrated his unwavering commitment to the upliftment of Sierra Leone through his generous support for the youth-led non-profit, Non-Governmental Organization called New Empowerment Initiative-Sierra Leone for short called NEI-SL.

Since its inception, Sir. Patrick has been an instrumental figure in the growth and impact of NEI-SL. His generous contributions have enabled the organization to register officially, establish a conducive work environment with essential office furniture and equipment, and sustain its operations through consistent funding for rent and staff allowances.

Beyond providing infrastructural support, Sir. Patrick’s philanthropic endeavours have directly impacted countless lives in rural communities across Sierra Leone. His funding has been pivotal in the implementation of life-changing projects, including:

i. Sustainable Agricultural Development: Empowering farmers with the necessary tools and knowledge to increase food production and improve livelihoods.

ii. Education Initiatives: Constructing schools, providing meals for students, supplying essential learning materials, and creating conducive learning environments.

iv. Water and Sanitation: Improving access to clean water and sanitation facilities, thereby enhancing public health and hygiene.

v. Women and Youth Empowerment: Supporting programs that equip women and young people with skills and opportunities for economic independence.

The impact of Sir. Patrick’s generosity extends far beyond financial contributions. His belief in the potential of young people and his commitment to uplifting rural communities have inspired countless individuals and organizations to join the fight against poverty and inequality.

NEI-SL and the communities they serve express their profound gratitude to Sir. Patrick for his extraordinary philanthropy. His unwavering support has been instrumental in transforming lives and building a brighter future for Sierra Leone.

Moreover, Sir. Patrick’s philanthropic endeavours have directly impacted the lives of countless underprivileged communities across Sierra Leone. Through his support of NEI-SL, he has contributed to initiatives aimed at poverty alleviation, education, healthcare, and economic empowerment. His generosity has been a catalyst for positive change, inspiring hope and resilience among the most vulnerable members of society.

NEI-SL’s Founder and Executive Director, Mr. Ibrahim Mohamed Boima, expressed profound gratitude for Sir. Patrick’s invaluable contributions. “His generosity has enabled us to expand our reach and make a tangible difference in the lives of countless Sierra Leoneans.”

His philanthropic legacy is an inspiration to all. His unwavering dedication to empowering communities and his belief in the potential of Sierra Leone serve as a beacon of hope for a brighter future. As NEI-SL continues its mission to create sustainable change, the organization remains grateful for the unwavering support of its patron, Sir. Patrick.

Quotes from Sir. Patrick, Patron of NEI-SL

“Giving back to the community is essential. NEI-SL is a perfect example of where support can make a tangible change.”

“Philanthropy has the power to transform lives. NEI-SL proves this every day.”

Quotes from Mr. Ibrahim, NEI-SL’s Founder and Executive Director.

Sir. Patrick is a true champion of rural Sierra Leone, his unwavering support has been the bedrock of our work at NEI-SL

“Together with Sir. Patrick, we are building a Sierra Leone where every young person has the opportunity to thrive.”

“Sir. Patrick’s investment in our youth is not just financial, it’s a seed of hope planted in the heart of rural Sierra Leone.”

“Through Sir. Patrick’s generosity, we’re transforming lives and building a brighter future for rural communities.”

“From classrooms to farmlands, Sir Patrick’s philanthropy is leaving an indelible mark on our nation.”

“Our partnership with Sir. Patrick is a testament to the power of collaboration in driving positive change.”

Quotes from beneficiaries of the projects

1. Marion Mohai – “Thanks to NEI-SL and their Partners, I can now feed my family and send my children to school. Life has changed for the better.”

2. John Kamara – “Clean water has transformed our community. We no longer have to walk long distances to fetch water.”

3. Janet Bangura – “The skills I gained from NEI-SL’s empowerment program have helped me start my own business.”

4. Foday Sesay – “I am incredibly grateful for the support of NEI-SL and their partners. They have given us hope.”

5. Khadija Sefoi – “NEI-SL is a beacon of hope for our community. Their work is truly life-changing.”

6. Mary Conteh – “Our community is stronger and more united thanks to the projects implemented by NEI-SL.”

7. Momoh Musa – “NEI-SL has empowered us to be agents of change in our own community.”

The projects Supported by Sir. Patrick Bijou has benefited over 200,000 households with an estimated population of about 1.5 Million.

Image of Patron, Sir. Patrick Bijou

Pictures Showing NEI-SL Projects Supported by Sir. Patrick

Progress in Clean Water and Sanitation

CLEAN WATER PROJECTS

VIP LATRINE PROJECTS

Pictures of Project Beneficiaries

THEN WATER

NOW WATER

THEN LATRINE

NOW LATRINE

NEI-SL AND THE DONORS

Indeed most donors have reservation to give grant to certain organizations because they fear that the grantee may not use their grant wisely and economically, and as such the return may not reflect the investment. But in the case of NEI-SL, the return of every donor fund given will reflect the investment for certain. In that, any fund given to NEI-SL, will be used as directed by NEI-SL workers with the expertise in financial management. These experts will determine, draw, and direct the use of the donor funds given to NEI-SL for program or project implementation; and they are the same experts to help oversee the use of the fund as directed.

RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS IN AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS

Farmers on one of the largest primitive rice farming sites active in secondary cultivation, but how to get seed rice and food for work to facilitate farm work is still a puzzle-quiz in their hunger ravaged community. All of them depend on NEI-SL and its Partners to provide such help.

NEI-SL engages this group of youth in physically tilling the land to generate income, but the youth nevertheless lament that ‘man-tiller’ and ‘power-tiller’ are not the same tillers in farming; the locals need tractor plough and power –tillers to ensure project participants’ health security in the work of large scale IVS farming.

Just one site of what NEI-SL realizes out of its seed rice and food for work supports rural poor farmers who are yet engaged in primitive rice farming for their livelihood. The challenge now is to engage these rural poor farmers in mechanized farming that will in turn bring them sufficient food and reliable income, then reduce the daily struggles which they face to get their basic human needs. As you can see for yourself, our field workers demonstrate even the primitive way of harvesting rice on primitive farms to prove that NEI-SL is yet the only rural development organization that shares their concerns.

The locals say that the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry proves nothing and makes no difference to them, so NEI-SL was called here to engage youth to implement low-land vegetation project that will inurn bring participants reliable income; the organization therefore seeks donor empowerment to make a remarkable difference.

Primitive cassava farming reigns here as life-saver, because it is seen the only simple work in commercial agriculture that can be easily done where farmers lack donor or government assistance to do farming.

Mr. Mammy Mbawah (on the left) in the black and red T-shirt and two others; together with women in their fight to beat down farming seasonality with locally made Kodali hoes. Their appearance shows strong and determined rice and groundnut farmers in the ugly face of abject poverty.

The above 6-acre cabbage farm could make Bumpeh town cabbage reach every cabbage market, if the cabbage farmers are assisted with the required cabbage farming equipment and basic incentives which any humane-centered donor would volunteer to give.

PROGRESS IN EDUCATION

The set of pictures above tells about the dawn of our activities to have all pupils in their respective school uniforms when going to school. With the help of the community participation committees, NEI-SL has employed means through which all pupils get their school uniform for almost nothing. As you can see in the clear pictures above, the four pupils are receiving their respective uniforms just as many others have.

The above pictures show a cross-section of students from 3 different schools in Sierra Leone who have received supplies of scholastic materials (Books, pens, pencils, bags, water bottle, and Mathematical sets, from NEI-SL.

BELOW ARE CAREERS NEI-SL ENCOURAGES AND SUPPORT YOUTHS TO ACQUIRE KNOWLEDGE IN

COMPUTER LITERACY:

In this computer age, the knowledge and use of computers is vastly embraced around the world. The importance of computers cannot be overemphasized. They make work easier and faster, and are a vital agent of transformation in many developed and developing countries today. With the Computer Literacy program, Sierra Leonean youth will become computer literate, and this will definitely have a positive effect on their communities. Computers are now part of our lives, playing an important role in business, education, and healthcare. They are an integral part of our professional lives and in the development of a nation. Consequently, for our youth to compete in today’s job market, it is essential that they have adequate computer skills.

AGRICULTURE

At New Empowerment Initiative-SL, we are committed to ending childhood hunger by educating the youth about methods and benefits of growing their own food. Sierra Leone is well suited to farming, yet instead of having a surplus of food, which the land could provide if properly cultivated, there is barely enough. Very little livestock is raised in Sierra Leone, with 80% of the protein people eat coming from fish. Sadly, the low availability of fish is evident as a result of the huge scarcity and reduction caused by climate change and recent flooding. These factors add up to a sobering fact: in a country with rich agricultural lands, more than half the food must be imported, raising the price of food for a people already struggling to survive. We believe that by introducing more successful farming practices and providing needed tools and supplies to grow their own food, Sierra Leone will live a better life and be able to provide food for their own families.

SEWING/FASHION DESIGN CLASSES:

The world today is moving towards entrepreneurship, and fashion design is one of the leading entrepreneurial skills that Sierra Leonean youth can learn easily. Learning to sew and/or become fashion designers will both enable them to provide for their own immediate clothing needs and provide them with a marketable skill needed by others. We are committed to teaching them how to make a living from this skill.

The above picture exhibits local tailoring and textile industry where interested youths obtain training in the manufacturing of beautiful outfits as a way to complementing the government’s effort in supporting and strengthening income generation skills for youths.

CARPENTRY CLASSES:

Carpentry is another type of work that will always be relevant. Many houses are being built, and carpentry is needed in the process. Every youth interested in this skill will be trained on how to make pieces of furniture that are daily necessities. Carpentry skills will help them to provide for themselves and their families.

BAKING CLASSES:

This is another means of producing food for human consumption. Foods such as cake, bread, snacks and the likes will always be consumed daily, making baking a good source of daily income. Learning this skill will help individuals support their communities with food. In turn, providing food for others will provide a living – and food – for themselves.

With our experienced consultant, invented staff, local Sierra Leonean partners, and increased funding, we will continue to develop new strategies to help us reach our overarching goal of improving the future of Sierra Leonean youth.

LOCAL WELDING INDUSTRY:

The above pictures show just an evidence of two young men who have received NEI-SL’s self-help supports and have completed skill training from SLOIC; one of our leading local welding institutions in Bo, Sierra Leone. These two young men are now self-employed and are able to cater to their families basic human needs; hence making them self-sufficient and self-reliant.

LOCAL SOAP MAKING INDUSTRY:

Prioritizing the empowerment of women and youths is one of NEI-SL thematic focuses, this is a literal prove from the above pictures showing just a cross-section of single Parent mothers who have received self-help supports from NEI-SL; many of these single parents have acquired income generation skill training in soap making to make them self-sufficient and self-reliant there by providing basic human needs for their homes.

CONSTRUCTION SKILL TRAINING GROUP:

NEI-SL has succeeded in encouraging and empowering a handful youths in the field of local construction engineering skills training. These youths have now become professional engineers; getting contract jobs in their communities thus become self-employed thereby making them self-reliant and self-sufficient.

HAIRDRESSING CLASS:

The above is a cross-section of marginalized young women who are in their numbers with a higher determination to acquire hairdressing skills and many have dyed-in-the-wool to become self-employed professional hairdressers who have now established their own hair salons as part of income generation skills to sustain their own livelihood.

ELECTRICITY CLASSES:

NEI-SL is open to empowering interested youths in the career of electronics and electrical installations as a way to creating self-employed job opportunities and also improving the country’s innovation and technology sector thereby ensuring clean energy and fixing electronics and electrical related problems that crop up in the communities.

AUTO MECHANIC GROUP:

The above pictures just exhibit NEI-SL’s first approach in bringing interested youths together to acquire skill training in auto mechanic engineering. These youths have developed innovative ideas in this field and are instrumental in serving their communities and the nation at large.

Contact NEI-SL Through:

Mobile Phone: +23276145227

Email: newempowermentinitiativesl@gmail.Com

Contact Sir Patrick Bijou Through:

Mobile Phone: +447827445300

Email: patrickbijou@pm.me