CONTENTS Editorial………………………………………………….2 Message from the President…………………….3 Message from the Executive Secretary´s Desk……………………….4 SLADEA at Work:……………………………….5‐11 Open Space Conference Facilitators training Training on peace journalism National Delegates Conference 2016 News from the branches Partners and Network:……………………12‐14 Visitations BftW partners Mobile cinema Konkoroma workshop Radio drama Gender………..……………………………………….15 Jokes…………………………………………………….16 Information on SLADEA members…………17 Editorial: Bamike Williams Layout: Julia Krojer Typing: Adama Sheriff, Delphine Decker, Beatrice K. Sesay, Isha P. Kamara Copyright photos: SLADEA Editorial As a new triennium begins SLADEA’s pride is heightened with a new National Execu‐
tive Committee comprising of old and new Chairpersons and other functionaries. Glimpses being the voice of SLADEA, aims to inform, educate and record reflections on salient national and international issues in the field of Adult Education. Though there are challenges, yet SLADEA will en‐
dure to provide maximum satisfaction to its readers. In addition to messages from the Honorary President and Executive Secretary, this is‐
sue of Glimpses also feature articles cover‐
ing important activities of the organization such as the Open Space Conference, Facili‐
tators’ training, NEC meetings, National Delegates Conference, Peace Journalism, Graduation Ceremonies, Partners & Net‐
working, Konkoroma, Mobile Cinema, visit of BftW staffs, Jokes and many more. You too have a chance to be part of the writers, so join our PROs to maintain a con‐
stant inflow of articles for publication in this newsletter. Every SLADEA member must be proud to be a contributor of arti‐
cles because without your input there will be no publication. Can we rely on you? 2 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT How quickly times flies! It seems like yesterday, when the second volume of the 2015 edition of Glimpses was rolled out. In that volume, we showcased some of our major achievements since the end of the Ebola scourge in Sierra Leone. What we presented then was just the tip of the iceberg. This current edi‐
tion is much richer in content; in the space of six months the SLADEA family has accomplished a lot, as is evidenced in the following pages. We have every right to blow our trumpet, if only to complement the efforts of our partners and friends, who have been doing so with great admiration. Our first major undertaking this year was to successfully host the Open Space Conference, which at‐
tracted partners from the Mano River Basin and principally from the Republic of Guinea. Then we had our long‐awaited National Delegates Conference; it had been put on hold due to the Ebola outbreak in 2014. Let me use this medium to again express my grateful thanks and appreciation to all the members of our 13 branches located in the four administrative regions of the country for making the conference a huge success. Your spirit of volunteerism and selfless sacrifices, which you have splendidly displayed time and again, and which have kept our organisation afloat all these years, will always be appreciated by pre‐
sent and future generations. It is often said that one cannot use yesterday’s knowledge to train today’s learner’s for tomorrow. Thus, the SLADEA National Executive is constantly mounting in‐service programmes for our staff and particu‐
larly the facilitators, in an attempt to broaden their knowledge, make them abreast with current develop‐
ments in the adult education field, and further sharpen their professional skills. Let me thank the trainers and facilitators for their steadfastness and professional competence. The fruitful production and airing of a user‐friendly documentary “On the Mend” narrating some of the experiences of communities during the Ebola outbreak could not have come at a better time. Our Public Relations and Documentation Team and their crew deserve our accolade. Two of our Branches with Continuing Education Centres, namely Makeni and Bo, took the bold step, in the midst of extreme challenges, to arrange certificate presentation ceremonies largely at their own ex‐
pense, for their trainees. Let me congratulate the tutors and graduates, the Branch Executive members together with the entire SLADEA membership in these two Branches for a job well done. Our readers will, no doubt, find more interesting stories and news in the following pages and I wish all of us happy and productive reading. Prof. Joe A.D. Alie President 3 MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY´S DESK Let me first of all congratulate all members of the SLADEA family for a job well done. Indeed we have done it at last. The long awaited National Delegates Conference and General Meeting – the sixth to be precise – has come and gone for another three years. With the collaborative effort of all the various branches, SLADEA has successfully fulfilled a constitutional requirement which was rendered impossible in 2014 by our enemy, the much dreadful Ebola Virus Dis‐
ease (EVD). The conference host, SLADEA Freetown Branch, needs to be commended for the hospitality accorded to delegates from the different regions. Bravo Freetown Branch!!! I am delighted to mention here that our newsletter “Glimpses” is here to stay as I promised on assuming office in an acting capacity some 2½ years ago. As you go through this edition, you will surely equip yourself with the day‐to‐day functions and activities of SLADEA – from the National Secretariat to our branches in the North, East, West and South. Thanks to all our PROs and other members who have contributed articles for this newsletter. If you, for one reason or another, have not been able to contribute one it is never too late. You can do it now for the next publication. Finally, let me take this opportunity to thank all delegates who attended our last National Delegates Con‐
ference in Freetown for endorsing my full‐time service as Executive Secretary of this noble association. May God bless you all Bamike E. Williams Executive Secretary 4 S L A D E A AT W O R K FIRST OPEN SPACE CONFERENCE (OSC) IN THE THREE EBOLA AFFECTED COUNTRIES IN WEST AFRICA The Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in West Africa especially in the three sister countries, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone had devastating effects on the health sectors in these countries, which resulted in fight‐
ing the deadly disease for over one year in the Mano River basin. The OSC was born out of research conducted in Europe and was successfully experimented in Germany, Haiti and other places. The first Open Space Conference was held in Sierra Leone from the 2nd to 4th February, 2016 at Hill Val‐
ley Hotel, which brought together 150 participants of all works of life across the country, with SLADEA as the host organisation. Among the participants were Government Officials, Health Workers, Paramount Chiefs, Media Practitioners, Civil Society Organizations, Traditional Healers, Ebola Survivors, Young Moth‐
ers, Youths, Market Women, Drivers, Bike Riders, Religious Leaders and the Forces, to discuss and prof‐
fered Recommendations on the Conference Theme, “How to Improve Health Care in Post Ebola Sierra Leone.” Contributions, suggestions and recommendations made by participants were complied in a book form called “book of proceedings.” The document/book will serve as a policy guide to government and stakeholders that are involved in the improvement of Health care delivery in our country Sierra Leone. The theme “New approach to improve the quality of health services” was used in Liberia. The theme for Guinea was “Forum National Inclusif Pour L’amelioration Du Systeme De Sante En Guinee.” Both coun‐
tries conducted their “Open Space Conferences” in March 2016 also proffering recommendations on how to improve their Health Care delivery system in their various countries. The conduct of the OSC was very necessary in these three countries, because if the health systems were really good the Ebola virus disease would have stopped from where it was first reported in the region. Open Space conference is an approach/method that brings people together from different background to enhance the quality of collaboration which increases effectiveness and commitment in whatever they do. OSC also gives participants new insight, direction and tools to move forward. Quotations like “the law of two feet,” “be prepared to be surprised,” “whoever comes are the right people,” “When it’s over it’s over, when it’s not over it’s not over, “whatever happens it’s the only thing that could have” and “whenever it starts is the right time,” were all part of the conference sessions to let participants have a free will in their deliberations. It was an open circle where there was no high table. Written by: Leonard J. Bundeh, Assistant Secretary, SLADEA Freetown Branch 5 Facilitators Training SLADEA being a role model in championing development activities and sensitization of community people who owns and uses land, conducted a training in Mile 91 from 29th April to 5th May 2016, on land grabbing and negotiation skills for newly selected facilitators from all over the 13 branches. As usual, SLADEA does not recruit facilitators and allow them to facilitate without giving them the necessary skills as they mostly deal with adults who have no knowledge in literacy and numeracy. These facilitators in turn will train adult learners utilizing the newly acquired knowledge from the master trainers. These trainers are people in authority who have knowledge in adult education and in one way or another deal with SLADEA and know its operations. During the training, participants got all the necessary knowledge in land negotiation skills, ways to recruit learners and the type of respect that should be accorded to adults. In most cases chiefs and community elders enroll as learners Mr. Samuel Conteh a field officer in Mile 91 commented that SLADEA is an organization promoting awareness in Sierra Leone. It is believed by many community people that with the intervention of SLADEA land grabbing problem will be minimized. May the founders continue to find other aspect that could help improve livelihood skills in those land grabbing areas. Written by Abass F. Fofanah Mile 91 6 PEACE JOURNALISM TRAINING How can we make SLADEA more popular? Mid May, the last PRO training lasted for three days in Pujehun. Six (6) newly elected PRO’s were also present. Different methods were used to repeat the topics for the benefit of the new ones, such as peace journalism, writing skills, and taking pictures. The main aim and purpose of the workshop was to discuss how to make SLADEA more popular using peace journalism as an approach and to distribute the newly purchased cameras for each branch. Each PRO needs to know the organization, its vision, mission, goals and values to be able to make it popular in their areas. Therefore, it was presented and discussed by the participants. To talk about the different types of media and media landscape in Sierra Leone helps to create ideas for the branches, such as: using social media like WhatsApp, Drama, Radio programmes, engaging stakeholders, learners drive, house to house visitation, newsletter, mobile cinema etc. The PROs were asked to develop their own strategy for the various branches. In order to exchange and link each other, a WhatsApp group was created. Furthermore, Adama gives follow ‐up calls to guide them on their plans. The newly purchased cameras for each branch, which is supported by Bread for the World were shared. Mr. Williams sent the message, emphasizing that the PROs and all other members have to pay great attention to SLADEA policy of items. To explain the policy of items is necessary when items are handed over, also to have a formal document which has to be signed is important to show that the cameras are SLADEA items and not personal properties for the PRO’s. In the closing minutes, the facilitators tried to encourage the PRO’s to keep it up and stay in contact with each other and especially with the national secretariat in Freetown. They should also see the newly elected national PRO as an important contact person. Finally the whole training was successful and the facilitators are happy with the new dynamic and motivated group. Written by Adama Sheriff 7 SIERRA LEONE ADULT EDUCATION ASSOCIATION (SLADEA) 6TH NATIONAL DELEGATES CONFERENCE SLADEA is a pioneer in the Field of Adult Education for over three decades. It support and promote Adult Education in all forms. SLADEA has its branches nationwide, with Adult Literacy classes. Since its inception in 1978, it has held six (6) Triennial Delegates Conferences. The last which is now really under focus, was held at the Atlantic Hall, National Stadium in Freetown from 29th‐31th March 2016. The Conference attracted members from all the branches of the Association nation‐wide. Prior to the conference, branches held their elections to validate the delegates who in turn are given the right to vote and be voted for in the process of forming the National Executive Committee (NEC). The National Executive Committee election was done on the last day of the conference and Mr. Bamike Williams was confirmed as the new Executive Secretary succeeding Mr. Shecku Mansaray. The conference theme was “Adult Education and changing Development Context: Curriculum Responses and the Role of Adult Educators.“ Presentation from various speakers were made relating to the role of Adult Educators. The conference ended with a grand social evening organized by the Freetown Branch and delegates returned to their various destinations the following day. Written by Raymond Conteh Newly Elected PRO. 8 NEWS FROM THE BRANCHES GRADUATION OF LEARNERS IN SLADEA MAKENI BRANCH SLADEA has an adult literacy program, which carters for both men and women who are not fortunate enough to experience formal education. They encourage learners to gain knowledge through skills and literacy programmes. A graduation ceremony was held for twelve learners who have acquired knowledge in different skills, within the Makeni branch. SLADEA Makeni branch has about forty‐ five learners, and different types of skills being provided at the center. Skills like Tailoring, Catering, Bakery and Soap making. However, the learners who have completed their training courses were the ones who graduated on Saturday 30th April 2016 at the SLADEA Centre in Makeni. There were one hundred and eighty (180) invitees including representatives from Hamza Radio who covered the whole programme. The learners were very much happy with the impact SLADEA has made in their lives, and they were grateful to SLADEA as they have been made to become self‐ reliant. The learners, upon attaining their certificates can now easily access lucrative jobs to support their livelihood. After the certification ceremony more people became interested in activities done by SLADEA. Finally, dancing was part of the certification ceremony as learners were rejoicing with their friends, family members and colleagues over their successes. Written by: Fatmata Dallanda Bah Public Relation Officer Makeni Branch 9 THE VICTORS OF EBOLA SLADEA an adult literacy organization which undertakes community development activities in all aspects of life in the furtherance of peace, sanity and health , fully participated in the just ended certification done by Bread for the World partners, on the 30th April, 2016 in Bo, Southern Sierra Leone. This certificate is reflective of the role SLADEA as an organization played in the fight against Ebola. Ebola has claimed the lives of several Sierra Leoneans and also led the economic situation of the country to wreck. It was at the midst of the fears, threats and worries that the Community Health Volunteers (CHV) of SLADEA emerged to salvage the situation that befell our beloved country through the sponsorship of Bread for the world (BftW). Based on the hard work done by different branch members of SLADEA at different locations Ebola has become a history in Sierra Leone. BftW however thought it wise to compensate the CHVs for a job well done by issuing certificates of participation to all branches, Bo not being an exception. The certification day was colorful and interesting as it was held at “Hikai School Hall’ along the Bo/Koribondo Road. The community people participated in cheering and giving honour to the great women and men who scarified their lives in the fight against Ebola. It is always good to work voluntarily for your country and at the end receive compensation for a service. Long live SLADEA, long live BftW and our country Sierra Leone Written by Abubakarr Lansana 10 STRUGGLE OF LAND OWNERS IN PUJEHUN DISTRICT The war between the Land Owners and Socfin Agricultural Company in Sahn Malen Chiefdom— Continuous conflict between the land owners in the Malen chiefdom and the Socfin Agricultural company due to the improper arrangement for their land and lack of basic education that has resulted to cool war in Malen town. The Socfin Agricultural Company that is well known for palm oil plantation came to Malen Chiefdom, Pu‐
jehun. District in the Southern part of Sierra Leone because of the high rate of illiteracy in Malen Chief‐
dom. They were gloving a firm to sign not knowing they were giving an agreement paper to sign for their land for more than 50 years. At its stand for now, there is no farming activities going on and that even the standard of living is so high. SLADEA as an organization which is well known for adult literacy in the country established an adult liter‐
acy class in the Malen Chiefdom to give them the basic knowledge on how to read and write for those who were unfortunate. The same facility was given to the other chiefdoms through sensitization and advocacy on basic negotiation skills on land grabbing. SLADEA has played a very vital role to put a stop by creating these facilities and we will continue to do that until it comes to an end. Written by Ahmed B. Sallu, Pujehun Branch 11 PA R T N E R S A N D N E T W O R K Visitation from Bread for the World SLADEA and partner organisations welcomed three Bread for the World staff from Berlin. Ewald and Maria from the project department and Marlies Roth who is responsible for the Civil Peace Service activities and seconded personnel spent about ten (10) days in the first week of March 2016 in the country. It was an interesting visit where report on projects and activities were given and future plans were discussed. One main aspect was the building in Waterloo which has been approved. SLADEA appreciates the support of Bread for the World. Presently, three (3) seconded personnel are in Sierra Leone: Julia Krojer (SLADEA, Freetown), Sebastian Lassinger (Culture Radio, Freetown) and Dorcas Spitzhorn (MADAM, Makeni). A meeting with them was organised in order to discuss their activities and their wellbeing in the country. It was Marlies‘ first visit to Sierra Leone after the Ebola outbreak and she was interested in the changes of the country and to know if there are special needs for the seconded personnel. Visitations from the headquarters in Berlin are important for the partnership. SLADEA is grateful that they can show and not just report on their projects. Advices from Ewald, Maria and Marlies makes the 12 MOBILE CINEMA: ALL NIGHT PRAYERS ON MOBILE CINEMA In early April 2016, SLADEA and Culture Radio organised a Mobile Cinema tour all over Sierra Leone to introduce a film project called “Sierra Leone on the MEND” to the people. The main purpose of the film project was to let the people know and see how serious Sierra Leone was affected by a deadly disease, Ebola and how people handled the situation in different ways. These eight (8) short films also make many people learn how to overcome their traumas. The premiere took place in Freetown at the National Museum and was well visited. While Culture Radio organised the screenings in the North of the country, SLADEA toured the East and the South to show the movies in Bo, Kenema, Kono, Kailahun and Bonthe. Each location was visited by a large number of audiences, between 200 – 400 people. People were highly impressed by the movies as serious arguments occurred among them on the basis of Ebola sickness and its causes. Most people blamed the government and the people themselves, as the sickness rapidly spread due to denial that ‘’ Ebola is not real and is not a killer disease”. The corrupt police was criticised as well and this was portrayed by the film “Ebola Checkpoint”. One of the favourite movies is “All Night Service”, which shows a woman who goes in search of her boyfriend all in the name of all night prayers and got herself quarantined. The film shows in the form of a comedy how serious these quarantined places were. Some blamed women that they were the main cause of spreading the Ebola disease. This show that a discussion after the screening is important in order to avoid misunderstandings. In Each town and village where the films were introduced, a questionnaire was given to every participant who viewed the movies. The people actively participated throughout the programme. This successful programme was conducted in collaboration with WELTFILME, XChange Perspectives, Culture Radio and SLADEA with financial support by BMZ and BftW. Background information on the project The outbreak of Ebola in 2014 not only caused numerous deaths within the population, but had multiple effects straining society and reverberating until today. The film project SIERRA LEONE ON THE MEND aims at dealing with those events, assessing the current state and also having a glimpse into what might lie ahead. At a 10‐day workshop in November 2015 in Freetown, eight (8) film‐makers and sixteen (16) laymen were trained in film production and in media’s role for peace, reconciliation and social change. The participants produced four (4) fictional and four (4) documentary short films on Ebola related issues. The finished films are exploited nationally and internationally in order to spread facts, to raise awareness and to instigate dialogue among the viewers. Four of these films were also screened at the Black International Cinema Festival in Berlin, Germany. The films “Healing the Wounds” and “Health Workers” got awarded in the category “Best film documentary production” and “Jattu” and “Ray of Lights” got the special acknowledgement award. Written by Mohamed Sesay and Adama Sheriff 13 KONKOROMA WORKSHOP Ebola Bye Bye ‐ Challenges after Ebola Konkoroma, the awareness raising radio drama is highly appreciated and requested by the listeners. Therefore, the partner organisations SLADEA, Freetong Players International and Culture Radio came together to discuss issues and challenges about post Ebola in February 2016. The Workshop and broadcasting was financed by the German Institute MiCT (Media in Coorporation and Transition gGmbH). MiCT conducted a project called “Ebola Bye Bye” together with Culture Radio and SLADEA from beginning of 2015 until February 2016. The project was mainly focused on the fight against Ebola due to informing and awareness raising through radio transmitters and radio programmes all over the country. With the technical infrastructure they were able to reach the far off population in the provinces and remote areas of Sierra Leone. Sarah Bomkapre, staff from MiCT joined the workshop to get to know the team and learn more about their experiences. With her experience in radio work she was able to give fruitful advices. The new five episodes discuss issues such as washing of hand, teenage pregnancy, corruption, etc SLADEA´s headquarter is trying to set the radio teams together so that the broadcasting can start very soon. 14 GENDER MEN AND WOMEN IN SIERRA LEONE The project SIERRA LEONE ON THE RISE brought together eight (8) young film‐makers and sixteen (16) aspiring film‐makers to talk about gender equality and equal opportunities for men and women in Sierra Leone and to use those discussions as a starting point for the production of eight (8) short films. The German organisations WELTFILME and Xchange Perspectives together with their local partners SLADEA, Culture Radio and MADAM organised a follow up project of the successful film project “Sierra Leone on the Mend”. It is again financed by BMZ and Bread for the World. In June 2016 a 10‐day workshop was conducted in Makeni were the participants acquired skills in Media for Peace and in writing, directing and producing fictional and documentary films. Afterwards, the participants created eight (8) short films seeking to shed light on questions like: Do men and women have equal opportunities in Sierra Leone? Is gender equality considered to be a topic of social importance? If not, what has to be done to make a change? The eight (8) short movies are talking about land rights, forced marriage, rape cases, child abuse, FGM, girl’s education, domestic violence and family issues. The films will be distributed nationally and internationally to support dialogue among Sierra Leoneans, and for the voice of the country’s youth to reach a wide audience. We are looking forward to another Mobile Cinema Tour throughout the country by end of this year. Bravo to all the film makers!! 15 JOKES and wise sayings
The old man chopped off the head
of a young man and put the
head in the young man’s mouth
to chew
The man who says “I don’t care” cares the most
The man who has elephantiasis of the scrotum cannot be mistaken for a man with a goiter
(One has his swelling on the legs while the other
has a swelling on the neck)
A respectable spider hangs his eggs on the ceiling
not on the floor.
If your wife has two SIM cards, save them as Wife,
and not wife 1 and wife 2.
HUSBAND: My dear, it’s like the light in the toilet is now automatic
WIFE: What happened?
HUSBAND: When I open the door the light came on and after I urinated and
closed the door the light went off
WIFE: You Drunkard!! You have gone to urinate in the FRIDGE again?
16 LIST OF NATIONAL EXECUTIVE MEMBERS 2016 No. NAME LOCATION POSITION TELEPHONE 1. Prof. Joe. A. D. Alie Freetown President 076‐619656 2. Bamike Williams Freetown Executive Secretary 076/077‐776963 3. Shecku K. Mansaray Freetown Consultant 076‐794525; 078‐862856 4. Edward Luseni Bo Nat. Asst. Secretary S/E 076‐646321/ 076791995 5. Samuel O. Macauley Freetown Pro. Co‐ordinator 076‐636490 6. Abu Bakarr Keindeh Freetown Finance Officer 076‐344302; 077‐082161 7. Briama Tejan Freetown Nat. financial Secretary 078‐466504; 088‐203268 8. Abdulai E. Kabba Freetown Pro. Co‐ordinator 076‐810910 9. Julia Krojer Freetown Documentation Officer 076‐235479 10. J.P. Kamara Freetown Nat. Treasurer 076‐611507 11. L.E. Bockarie Freetown National Asst. Sec. N/W 078‐259716/088971692 12. Ramond Conteh Kenema Nat. Publicity Secretary 076658772 13. Chief Kapr‐Kiabin Tarawalie Magburaka Chairman 077‐229465 14. Elizabeth Vandi Mrs Kenema Chairperson 076853699 15. Fanta Samura Kabala chairperson 076‐890678; 088‐279474 16. Steven Kamara Pujehun Co‐ordinator 076‐492384 17. Alusine Kallon Makeni Chariman 077339465/076333917 18. Sara Sanka Port Loko Chairman 076859714 19. Rev. Umaru L.Koroma Bo Chairman 076283613/077208826 20. Rev. Steven S. Alie Pujehun Chairman 078‐229465 21. Fatmata H. Sesay Mile 91 Chairperson 076‐606567; 077‐535474 22. Ms Christiana Baun Freetown Chairperson 076424649 23. Ms Rugiatu Kamara Waterloo Interim Chairperson 076587680 24. Wuyata Menjoh Waterloo National Youth Leader 078‐640263/077409838 25. Thomas Sowonie Mattru‐Jong Chairman 076‐701995 26. Michael Garrick Bonthe Chairman 076‐701995 27. Ahmed Amara Bonthe Co‐ordinator 076‐987890 28. Christiana Dixon Moyamba Chairperson 077848167 29. Amy Brewah Bo Nat. Org. Secretary 076‐741319 30. Kadijatu Lansana Bo Co‐ordinator 076‐648742 17 SLADEA MEMBERSHIP STRENGTH AS AT MARCH 2016 SLADEA presently has 13 branches nation‐wide and the active membership list is as follows: NO. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13 NAME OF BRANCH Freetown Bo Bonthe Moyamba Mattru‐Jong Pujehun Kenema Mile 91 Magburaka Makeni Port Loko Kabala Waterloo TOTAL REGISTERED MEMBERS 170 40 30 30 35 36 30 30 33 38 31 34 8 Total = 545 CONTACT US: SIERRA LEONE ADULT EDUCATION ASSOCIATION ADULT EDUCATION HOUSE 90 SANDERS STREET FREETOWN SIERRA LEONE Land phone: +232‐22‐220655 Mobile: 076‐776963 / 077‐776963 Email: [email protected] Website: www.sladea.sl 18