The Challenges in Sierra Leone and Why They Need Our Assistance

Many times we find ourselves faced with problems in our own lives that we can solve in various ways, whether by ourselves, with the help of others, or through a bigger group effort. In today’s world especially, if we need help beyond ourselves we can reach out to friends and family or those with similar believes quite easily to solve these problems. However, some people in the world are not as fortunate as we are in this respect. Some people throughout the world have constant conflict in their lives that most others are completely unaware of. Most likely, these daily life threatening issues go unnoticed. We can, however help these people in need of our support. We can help the Sierra Leoneeons.

Sierra Leone is a country in Africa known for its diamond mines. However, did you know a civil war has been fought there for over 10 years, and the country is still suffering from aftermath? In fact, from the year 1990 to 2002, over fifty thousand people were killed, as well as countless others being mutilated or injured. In addition to this, Sierra Leone’s economy was virtually put at a standstill, for no traders dared to venture into the country and those traders within it which tried to leave weren’t granted access. Furthermore, in the rebel’s conquest of tribes, over twelve hundred schools were destroyed; schools that otherwise would help the nation rebuild society after the war had ended.

To add to the problems that plagued the nation during its civil war, children were recruited by both sides to become soldiers. This was usually done forcefully, as the alternative was death. These child soldiers were fierce and loyal to their side, did drugs on a daily basis, and conducted raids of cities in which they killed the opposing side’s soldiers as well as civilians. These atrocities, however, can be overlooked when seeing the age of these soldiers. With some as young as nine, and others ranging to sixteen, these children obviously didn’t know any better. If not taught purposely to be cold-blooded killers, these children would have never turned out this way. It is sad to think that a nation’s youth would be changed into such a cruel force, in which they had no say in the matter.

The civil war in Sierra Leone has officially been ended as of today, but the country is still in need of dire support. The country is still struggling to reconstruct a new future from the ruble of its past. In many ways, people in the country might seem it easier to just start fighting again. This, however, will of course not lead to any long-term solutions. The country needs to be reconstructed, and you can help. Contained within Ted Lyon’s Prezi ,A Forgotten Nation, is all that you need to know about the problems that plagued Sierra Leone in the past, and what you can do to help the country today. Listed inside are multiple ways that you can help the country today, including getting the Prezi out there. Share the Prezi at your school, church, or other community meeting center, or better yet online where it can reach even more people! Just share the video, and its ways that you can help, with others. If the video gets out there and everyone knows about it, change will be made. The larger number of people aware, the more people we have to help with the other ways mentioned, too, such as contacting politicians and organizing donations. Together, we cannot be stopped!

Sierra Leone is in dire need of help. Whether through the A Forgotten Nation project, or through your own means, the problems Sierra Leone is facing are not forgettable. Get together with some friends, and make a change today. Sierra Leone needs you, and we need you to help them. We must help these people who have no voice, and lend them ours. Together we can make a difference and rebuild Sierra Leone to its former glory.