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Children's ministry Current Evangelism Ministries International (CEM International, Sierra Leone Program, Africa) History, Initiatives and Project Summaries
A map of Sierra Leone:
Where is Sierra Leone located? Sierra Leone lies on the West Coast of Africa. During the recent civil war the country’s estimated population of 4.25 million (1985 census) was devastated, traumatized and impoverished by a violent and barbaric rebel war, unprecedented in the history of the nation.
The civil war in Sierra Leone officially ended in January 2002 Sierra Leone's devastating civil war, characterized by egregious human rights abuses by all sides, but especially by rebel forces, was officially declared over in January 2002. A confluence of factors helped end the war, including the deployment of a 17,000-member UN peacekeeping force known as UNAMSIL, a UN arms embargo against neighboring Liberia and the commitment of British troops to stop a rebel advance against the capital, Freetown, in 2000. But despite the disarmament of some 60,000 combatants and the successful completion of presidential and parliamentary elections in May 2002, the country still remains fragile due to thousands of former fighters left unemployed.
Causes of the civil war The deep rooted issues that gave rise to the conflict—endemic corruption, weak rule of law, crushing poverty, and the inequitable distribution of the country's vast natural resources—remain largely unaddressed by the government.
The effects of the rebel war in Sierra Leone (1991-2002) During these dark and grim years of war, it is estimated that across the country: · 1,600 people including babies and children were brutally killed · 500 people including children as young as six years old were maimed · 300 villages and towns, including the city of Freetown, were burnt/razed to the ground · 1,300 hospitals and health centers were burnt/razed to the ground · 960 schools and colleges were looted, vandalized or burnt · About 60,000 ex-combatants were disarmed and demobilized. Over 55,000 ex-combatants also took part in the re-integration in Sierra Leone
1999 CEM Assessment “Rebels abducted and conscripted between 6,000 and 8,000 children. According to a CEM assessment of children displaced by the war, 80% suffered death of parents or close relatives, 74% saw someone killed or tortured by machetes, 68% saw someone burned to death or tortured, one third of the children were forced to participate in a killing and 10% of girls had been raped.”
Current CEM Initiatives CEM is presently working with 500 destitute children through a local church, Missionary Baptist Convention of Sierra Leone, in Pendembu – Kailahun District. CEM promotes the children’s project on behalf of the Missionary Baptist Church in Pendembu. CEM has in the recent past raised funds to support the 500 orphans and destitute children living with foster parents within the township. CEM conducts feeding programs at intervals depending on the availability of funds.
About CEM CEM was established on October 16, 1992 by a group of churches. It is registered with the Sierra Leone Ministry of Economic and Development Planning as a non-governmental organization (NG0). Their mission is working with ex-combatants to re-establish basic health and education services in the country. A Trauma Healing and Skills Training Center has been established with an enrollment of 200 destitute children who receive trauma counseling, information education, literacy skills and peace education from five paid teachers and ten volunteers. There are 300 destitute children on the waiting list to be enrolled in the program due to lack of accommodations and funding. CEM has acquired ten acres of land for the community through Missionary Baptist Church in Pendembu to construct another Trauma Healing and Skills Training Center for the community care-givers so that all the 500 orphans and destitute children can be enrolled in the program.
The focus of the Center is to reintegrate and empower orphans and other children disadvantaged by the civil war. The Center encourages the young boys and girls who were unable to get primary education or skills training in their interested areas so they would enhance the opportunity of being gainfully employed in the future. Those who were traumatized are assisted and counseled to regain their dignity and mental stability to be reintegrated into society. Young girls who were raped and have become mothers at very early age are encouraged to also learn some skills and given assistance to care for their children during the skills training.
CEM’s Vision for Sustainable Peace and Development in Sierra Leone The CEM re-integration model involves the following elements:
1. Social Re-integration 2. Economic Re-integration A school building project for the children to continue formal and informal education is underway. After three years of work, the school will begin to receive grants from the Sierra Leone government and teachers will be paid from the national funds according to criteria set by the government of Sierra Leone. The project has a Management Committee in Pendembu to oversee management of funds received for the project. Oversight is also provided by the CEM National Committee Board of Trustees.
Rev. Augustine Lansana , a facilitator in conflict resolution, training the ex-combatants, traditional rulers, police, the army and the women group leaders
CURRENT PROGRAMS FOR FUNDING
CEM is presently raising funds for the following programs in order to enhance the socio-economic well-being of the people of Sierra Leone–– especially the destitute children–– by controlling disease, fostering education and stimulating development. I. Community Health Clinic in Pendembu
Project Location Pendembu is a town with a population of 10,000 people located in the eastern part of Sierra Leone near the Liberian border. This is a town that suffered severely during the war. Pendembu served as a stronghold for the rebel fighters throughout the civil war. The town has been left with an overwhelming number of orphans, war widows, amputees, rape victims and people without a sense of hope for a better future. There is also an outbreak of disease.
Why Community Health Clinic Project For Pendembu? The Clinic will be able to address: ¨ Infant and childhood routine health care for orphans and vulnerable children ¨ Care for the elderly ¨ HIV/AIDS information ¨ Family planning information given when appropriate
Criteria for the Project The criteria used to identify the beneficiaries:
l. Orphans and vulnerable children who are ill – These children have no other resources to help them pay their medical bills or help them with basic medications.
2. Elderly who are vulnerable and isolated – This category of individuals was selected on the basis that older people are often weak and unable to help themselves. For example, there are those who are blind, hard of hearing or have some other disability. The doctor will see a limit of forty cases a week. A Project Management Committee will be involved in setting up the criteria together with CEM personnel.
Needs Assessment According to the Needs Assessment Survey conducted by CEM field staff in Pendembu through interviews, observations and interaction meetings, the following issues were discovered to be their priority needs: ¨ Poverty – Lack of basic necessities of life as 70% of people are living below Le1,000 per day ¨ Trauma of war – The bitter experiences these people have gone through during the war years— for example, many people have seen a close relative brutally murdered or a daughter raped. It is estimated that 85% of people in Pendembu are traumatized. ¨ Children with projected stomachs – A result of poor dietary conditions and malnutrition ¨ Older people with no medical attention – There are elderly in the community with no one to care for them, especially for their medical needs. ¨ Poor sanitation – There are unsanitary latrine facilities, such as uncovered toilets, which is dangerous for diseases such as cholera, etc. ¨ No proper shelter – The few available houses have leaking roofs and are in a state of disrepair. ¨ Clean water – The community lacks clean water which is paramount for healthy living. ¨ Mosquito control – Items such as mosquito nets and insecticides are needed to reduce malaria transmission. ¨ Lack of transportation – There are no transportation facilities. The families have no means of getting their produce to the urban centers to sell. ¨ Lack of power –There is no electricity. The people burn lamps with local nut oil for fuel. ¨ Traditional healers – Modern medical practices are needed. ¨ Roads and bridges – Repair and maintenance is necessary for transportation purposes.
Project Summary Budget & Duration
The Health Clinic Project needs $20,500 USD. This budget is for one year.
II. Community Based Support Programs for Orphans, Vulnerable Children, Widows, Amputees and Raped Victims in Kailahun District
Purpose of the project The purpose of this project is to create a community based pre-school and training program for parents and caregivers. The proposed pre-school will be called “Preschool for Peace.” The “Preschool for Peace” will serve as a model to culture peace among children in Sierra Leone. This program will provide a safe place for young children in a region that has been traumatized by war.
This program will address the community needs by offering training to young children, parents and teachers in the area of child development and reproductive health—also HIV/AIDS counseling as a result of war trauma. As a part of this program we will also give help in establishing new gardens that were destroyed during the war by providing seeds, tools and instruction in gardening. It will also address psycho-social services, conflict resolution skills, animal husbandry, micro-business skills and literacy.
Project Summary Budget & Duration
The Community Based Support Program needs $143,000 USD. The duration of the project is two years.
III. The Establishment of a Rehabilitation Center for Street Children and their Caregivers
Goal The Rehabilitation Center for Street Children and their Caregivers is to address the flights, needs and rights of street children and their lack of proper caregivers.
Aims/Objectives a)Life skills training programs, b) Literacy programs, c) Adult literacy programs, d) Reproductive health care and HIV/AIDS training, e) Vegetable production, f) Animal husbandry, g) Micro-financing skills and literacy, h) Conflict resolution and peacebuilding skills, i) Shelter for street children
Project Description The ten years of civil war left behind thousands of orphans. These children are now living in the street. They beg for money and food by day and find shelter under whatever protection they can find at night. This project is therefore to assist these street children and get them proper caregivers so these young people can achieve quality of life and be productive so Sierra Leone has a future as a more wholesome society and not be pulled back into war because of its people living in poverty.
Project Summary Budget and Duration
The street children’s project needs $250,000 USD. The duration of the project is three years.
Contact Information: African Regional Development Center, CEM P.M.B 882, 7 Stevens Street, Freetown - Sierra Leone Tel: 224994 Fax: 224439 Email: cemsl@yahoo.co.uk
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