Freetown, Sierra Leone: In a country like Sierra Leone, helping the group most vulnerable to conflict – youth – is a huge responsibility. And overseeing key programmes for their sustainable integration into society is a UN Volunteer.

Natsuko Kaneyama from Osaka, Japan, works in particular with the UNDP-funded Youth Employment Scheme Secretariat at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. Her aim is to help Sierra Leone's young people get out of poverty and into the economy. You can meet some of these youth here.

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Mohamed Marrah – through UNDP partnership with International Rescue Committee

Mohamed runs a stall selling mobile phone top-up cards at a busy intersection on Wilkinson Road. "I was a dropout. But based on the interventions [of IRC and UNDP] I'm in college studying human resources management, and support my younger brother too... I'm using the training I received judiciously and doing something good.... I learned where to locate my business according to demand in the area, how to convince customers and deal with competition."

"After my diploma," adds Mohamed, "I want to go on to a degree course, paid for with the savings account I opened. I want to encourage donors so that this project can be established in a bigger mode – based on the achievement of this programme." UNDP is indeed raising funds to expand the numbers of people assisted, adds Natsuko Kaneyama.


Isitah S. Turrey – through UNDP partnership with International Rescue Committee

Before opening this small bakery, Isitah had run out of money for her education and was making ends meet by selling rice to neighbours. "I had already got an idea about business. After the NGO met me, I learned about business plans, how to pick a site, how to keep products and how to love your business. I love my breads! I now have a large amount of money in my account, and I'm very proud of that."

"I'm not only depending on bread, but also investing and diversifying into palm oil and other products, and paying my school fees to learn accounting and finance. I want to go from micro to macro! I'd like the project to take on more youths and extend donations for more years. There's a lot of youths here not doing nothing, and they need help."


Titi Kowama – through UNDP partnership with Action Aid

Titi sells shoes in an impoverished neighbourhood in Freetown. "Nothing. Nothing, no money before this. Now I'm doing business, I have money and put it in the bank. I make some profits and every day I keep it in my book. It made my life change. My life is good now. Since before I was sitting around but now I'm doing better."

Raconta – through UNDP partnership with Action Aid

Raconta sells provisions in a small stall. "I did a small, small business before but didn't understand how to do it. My life is better now – I've opened an account. So I say thank you to Action Aid and UNDP. I have three children and I can pay for them better. In the future I'll be somebody and be a business person in the community. It's left up to me to grow the business."

Stephen – through UNDP partnership with Action Aid

"As time went on with the project, due to the request of the community people I saw they were in need of an accountant. They are all making small amounts which, at the end of the day, adds up to larger amounts which I keep for them at the end of the month. I'm learning a skill myself, acquiring knowledge and people around the community – I have up to a hundred clients, and I loan money to them if they need to fix things in their homes for example.


Mohamed F. Bango – through UNDP partnership with Action Aid

"I'm popularly known of 'man of god'... because of certain changes I have made," says Mohamed. "When Action Aid first came along we tried to run away because we thought they were police. But now I say thanks for their good help. Here is the place I used to hang around, making these cheap mud blocks for building. Smoking under a tree."

"I don't do it anymore" Mohamed continues. "I've learned self-employment skills... I'm also learning some masonry skills... Before this, people used to take me as a dropout. I was nothing. Now I have this stall with cigarettes and sweets."


Fatmata Koroma – through UNDP partnership with Youth Development Movement

The girls are just coming out of their exams. Fatmata writes on the blackboard, where she has been practicing how to prepare a menu card. Six months ago she was completely illiterate. "I couldn't even write my name. I've now learned how to do much more." The youth learn business skills for the hospitality trade, from waitressing and cooking to accounting and bookkeeping. They also learn about community skills and family living, what the NGO calls "attitudes for life".