Single Causes

Debate and Quiz Competition

PROJECT BACKGROUND:

Strengthening primary Education for vulnerable children in Sierra Leone project (SPEVC-SL) came as reflected issues from past CARDO-SL survey conducted in Gbendembu, Saforoko and Bombali Shebora chiefdoms, Bombali District. The survey conducted by CARDO-SL was filled “Primary Education challenge in sierra Leone,” findings came out that more effort is needed to improve basic education system as enshrined in the universal declaration of child right to education, the education Act 2004 and the child right Act 2007. The SPEVC-SL project is to empower vulnerable children to acquire education as a right for every child. This will be done through the provision of support, inspiration programs and mentorship. It is against this background that the project identified the direst in need children in the communities of Gbendembu, Kalangba, Binkolo, Kabombeh and Makeni, all in Bomboli district northern Sierra Leone with support from word life Experience and caregivers the following activities are being carried out in the process:

1. Entry point planning and feasibility studies to identify the Schools by CARDO-SL project coordinator and founder.
2. Identification of the most vulnerable school children.
3. Designed selection criteria forms by CARDO-SL.
4. Meeting with CARDO-SL and school authorities was done.
5. Written official letters for the School authorities explaining the details and relevant of the project.
6. Sample questions and debate topics were drawn by the project coordinator of CARDO-SL and sent to the Schools selected.
7. Orientation of participants.
8. One week monitoring and supervision by CARDO-SL in collaboration with community stakeholders with regards to the project impact to the children.

PERFORMANCE

1. CARDO-SL staff and volunteers did well during the project implementation.
2. The children also behave and performed well during the competition.
3. The beneficiaries appreciated the gesture and promised to use it for the intended purpose.
4. Children were able to expressed themselves very well, which added to their public speaking ability.

PROJECT OUTCOME AND ACHEIVEMENT

1. The program completed with success.
2. Head teachers, teachers, pupils’ and parents appreciated the prices and gifts very well.
3. 85% teacher’s participated.
4. Communities and CARDO-SL built a defined based to be on top as problems solver, developers and strategies education activities.
5. Statement made by the invited guests as stakeholders and teachers was focused on more support to be giving to CARDO-SL to integrate the program into the School system and expand it’s to other Schools.

LESSONS LEARNT

1. Schools and community ownership and participation is very important to the project implementation.
2. Primary education needs more empowerment if we want to ascertain quality education.

CHALLENGES:

1. Lack of mobility to follow-up our beneficiaries in Schools.
2. Lack of funds to continue this program.
3. Teachers, pupils’ and parents are desperate for CARDO-SL to continue this program and even extend it’s to other areas. They said it will be good to do it on a monthly basis. See attached photos of the program.
4. Lack of logistics (motor bikes, vehicles etc.) to go to these remote areas.

RECOMMENDATION

1. Communities’ teachers put forward to CARDO-SL for stipend and capacity building on this type of project so that they will be implementing it on behalf of CARDO-SL community.
2. Teachers requested for training on career guidance, quiz and debate activities, psychosocial principles etc.
3. Children need more support.
4. Teachers, pupils’ and parents requested for CARDO-SL to introduce this program to the School system.
5. Psychosocial support is also needed to these children especially for children affected by the Ebola outbreak, orphans, disable etc.
6. Training on behaviors management of these children is also needed.
7. Partnership is needed with other organizations working with children.