AIDS is a very real problem in Sierra Leone, just as it is throughout Africa.  One of the aims of the Youth Council is, therefore, to educate young people and ultimately have their community free of HIV/AIDS.

The Youth Council has now completed their hen house with WP money as well as growing 7,000 acacia trees with monies granted from UNDP on land gifted by the Sierra Leonean government, as an initiative to reforest areas of Waterloo. (The acacia trees should be ready to fell for timber within three years of planting)

Whilst we were in Sierra Leone in February 2008, Moses Myamba, the chair of the Youth Council had a very badly infected leg as a result of standing on a rusty nail.  We are glad to be to report that, by taking him to hospital and leaving with some money he has made a complete recovery!

Joan Maguire discussing Youth Council matters with Veronica Callen, the project leader

The Youth Council photocopier, run from a generator, both donated by WPUK

The newly opened Youth Council office

The Youth Council is responsible for health education, especially HIV/AIDS prevention. They produce educational material using a photocopier and computer provided by WPUK. Recently, they have set up their own small photocopying business and plan to re-invest profits into the project

Hen house nearing completion, finished May 2009