iEARN Sierra Leone
Freetown, Sierra Leone

About iEARN Sierra Leone
iEARN Sierra Leone believes that peace and human rights can be promoted through the use of information and communication technologies. iEARN aims to empower youth through education and skills training, enabling them to become productive citizens in post-conflict Sierra Leone. Programs cater to the needs of former child soldiers and youth affected by war.  iEARN Sierra Leone was founded in 1999 and is affiliated with iEARN Canada and iEARN International.

iEARN’s online project, childsoldiers.org, is a multimedia showcase created by students and youth. The website is a place where youth from Sierra Leone can speak openly about the war and its effects on their lives and their families, communities and country.

No War Zone at the iEARN Youth Centre
iEARN provides the opportunity for over 350 youth, including those most affected by the decade long war in Sierra Leone, to build their skills in information and communication technology. Youth participate in workshops on topics such as conflict resolution and peace building, human rights, child soldiers, democratic values, and sustainable development.  Using music, rap, skits and other forms of expression, young people raise awareness about these important topics while communicating their fears and hopes for their country.

As participants in No War Zone, youth have the opportunity to share their experiences and express themselves through art, music, creative writing and photography, helping them heal the trauma of war and gain solidarity with friends on No War Zone. Young people are learning to work with their peers on a local and an international level to foster productive and positive contributions to Sierra Leonean communities. iEARN has participated in a variety of No War Zone projects with their peers on No War Zone including an anti-drug abuse campaign, an HIV/AIDS awareness project, and the Positive Music Project, which aims to use music to help heal the trauma of war in Sierra Leone’s youth.

Voices from iEARN youth on No War Zone:
"There are many youths like myself who have talent and through this iEARN program and NWZ, life is changing and we are meeting friends like you, and we are filled with hope. We are filled with love, we are filled with life because we have friends who care."

 Alhassan Nabieu Sesay. 19 years old, Sierra Leone