The Situation in Sierra Leone
In West Africa people are facing high unemployment and a high cost of living. This has led to civil unrest and protests. In Sierra Leone there are many challenges facing a government that is trying to rebuild the economy. In addition to this many refugees from Liberia are living in Sierra Leone due to conflict in Liberia. This has caused tensions between the Liberians and Sierra Leonians.
The refugees have expressed the desire for education and training. Given these opportunities the refugees are better able to help themselves and have futures outside of the refugee camps. RESPECT International is one non-profit organisation that is providing the refugees education free of charge. Volunteers in Sierra Leone provide a link between refugee students and tutors living in many countries around the world. The tutors send course work and assignments to the volunteers who make sure the students receive it. Then they email back the completed assignments to the tutors who then mark them and offer encouragement.
This system gives the refugees hope and lets them know that the outside world has not forgotten about them. The learn not only their course work but that they are entitled to the future they choose despite being caught up in violence and civil disputes and their past.
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