Sierra Leone
From Peace Corps Wiki
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US Peace Corps American Overseas Staff (FY2010): FP 03 (Nally, Thomas, S, $ 76,219), FP 01 (Metcalf, Gale, A, $ 123,156), FP 01 (Wallach, Joel, S, $ 126,851) Latest Early Termination Rates (FOIA 11-058):
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| Current Volunteers: |
TBD 2010 | |
| Total Volunteers: |
3,479 | |
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The Peace Corps enjoys a rich history in Sierra Leone, having initially arrived in 1962 - just over a year after it had declared independence. Volunteers served the country in consecutive years until 1994, when the program was closed. Until that departure, 3,479 Volunteers had served in agriculture, education, and health.
Sierra Leone will welcome a new group of Volunteers in 2010. Education has been identified by the government as the most pressing need and Volunteers will provide English, math, and science teachers to help fill a shortage of qualified individuals. Peace Corps Response will also have a presence. Having already served as Volunteers, these contributors will arrive at their posts already in possession of the appropriate technical and cross-cultural skills needed to make an immediate impact.
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Peace Corps History
Main article: History of the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone
The Peace Corps program in Sierra Leone began in January 1962 as one of the first countries entered after Peace Corps’ launch in March 1961. In fact, Peace Corps signed an agreement with the new government of Sierra Leone just nine months after the country became independent from the United Kingdom.
The first group of Peace Corps Volunteers to arrive in Sierra Leone were 37 secondary school teachers in January 1962. They were joined by another 70 Volunteers in August 1962. For much of the 1960s, PC/Sierra Leone (SL) concentrated on education, with Volunteers involved in teaching at many levels and throughout the country. From the late 1960s to the early 1990s PC/SL branched out into the sectors of agriculture, community development, design-construction manpower development, and health.
In the early 1990s political turmoil and civil unrest in the region engulfed Sierra Leone and Peace Corps was forced to evacuate its 82 Volunteers as a result of a bloodless coup d’état that took place in Freetown on April 29, 1992. In July 1992 Peace Corps staff returned to reopen the program, with 15 former Volunteers; another 11 new agriculture trainees arrived in August 1992. Projects in Health, Education and Agriculture were re-established in areas not immediately affected by the civil conflict, but growing violence soon made it difficult for Peace Corps to continue. Following the evacuation of the remaining Volunteers, the program was finally closed in October 1994. More than 5,900 Volunteers served in Sierra Leone up until this closure.
Peace Corps conducted a partial assessment in 2001, hoping to utilize Peace Corps Response Volunteers. Agency finances did not allow a return, but full assessments were conducted in 2003 and 2007, both recommending that the security situation in-country was conducive to Peace Corps’ return and that there was a tremendous need for, and goodwill toward, the Peace Corps. With the availability of funding in 2009, the agency made the decision to re-enter Sierra Leone with a group of 40 Volunteers.
Living Conditions and Volunteer Lifestyle
Main article: Living conditions and volunteer lifestyles in Sierra Leone
Before Volunteers arrive, Peace Corps/Sierra Leone staff, in collaboration with local partners, identify safe and secureVolunteer housing. Housing is provided by the school and/or community. Housing is in short supply in many regions of Sierra Leone, so be prepared for very basic housing. It is possible that you will share a house with another PCV, have your own house, or live with a host family. Electricity may not be available and water may need to be carried from a neighborhood pump. You must be prepared to accept the living conditions to which you are assigned as you will be living under the same conditions as the people with, and for whom, you work. Peace Corps inspects all potential housing to ensure it meets our standards for health and safety.
Most Volunteers are assigned to work in rural towns or large villages. The workplace will be within walking distance of your home, but it might be a long walk! Dependent on community need, Peace Corps makes every effort to cluster Volunteers within reasonable distances of each other in order to promote collaborative efforts and minimize isolation.
Training
Main article: Training in Sierra Leone
Pre-service training is the first event within a competency-based training program that continues throughout your 27 months of service in Sierra Leone. Preservice training ensures that Volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to effectively perform their jobs. On average, nine of 10 trainees are sworn in as Volunteers.
Pre-service training is conducted in Sierra Leone and directed by the Peace Corps with participation from representatives of Sierra Leone organizations, former Volunteers, and/ or training contractors. The length of pre-service training varies, usually ranging from 8-12 weeks, depending on the competencies required for the assignment. Sierra Leone measures achievement of learning and determines if trainees have successfully achieved competencies, including language standards, for swearing in as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Throughout service, Volunteers strive to achieve performance competencies. Initially, pre-service training affords the opportunity for trainees to develop and test their own resources. As a trainee, you will play an active role in selfeducation.
Health Care and Safety
Main article: Health care and safety in Sierra Leone
The Peace Corps’ highest priority is maintaining the good health and safety of each Volunteer. Peace Corps medical programs emphasize the preventive, rather than the curative, approach to disease. The Peace Corps maintains a clinic in Sierra Leone with a full-time medical officer, who takes care of Volunteers’ primary health care needs. Additional medical services, such as testing and basic treatment, are also available in Sierra Leone at local hospitals. If you become seriously ill, you will be transported either to an American standard medical facility in the region or to the United States.
Diversity and Cross-Cultural Issues
Main article: Diversity and cross-cultural issues in Sierra Leone
In fulfilling its mandate to share the face of America with host countries, the Peace Corps is making special efforts to see that all of America’s richness is reflected in the Volunteer corps. More Americans of color are serving in today’s Peace Corps than at any time in recent years. Differences in race, ethnic background, age, religion, and sexual orientation are expected and welcomed among our Volunteers. Part of the Peace Corps’ mission is to help dispel any notion that Americans are all of one origin or race and to establish that each of us is as thoroughly American as the other despite our many differences.
- Possible Issues for Female Volunteers
- Possible Issues for Volunteers of Color
- Possible Issues for Volunteers of Varying Ages
- Possible Issues for Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual Volunteers
- Possible Issues for Volunteers With Disabilities
- Possible Issues for Married Volunteers
Frequently Asked Questions
Main article: FAQs about Peace Corps in Sierra Leone
- How much luggage am I allowed to bring to Sierra Leone?
- What is the electric current in Sierra Leone?
- How much money should I bring?
- When can I take vacation and have people visit me?
- Will my belongings be covered by insurance?
- Do I need an international driver’s license?
- What should I bring as gifts for Sierra Leone friends and my host family?
- Where will my site assignment be when I finish training and how isolated will I be?
- How can my family contact me in an emergency?
- Can I call home from Sierra Leone?
- Should I bring a cellular phone with me?
- Will there be email and Internet access? Should I bring my computer?
Packing List
Main article: Packing list for Sierra Leone
This list has been compiled by Volunteers and staff and is based on their experience. Use it as an informal guide in making your own list, bearing in mind that each experience is individual. There is no perfect list! You obviously cannot bring everything on the list, so consider those items that make the most sense to you personally and professionally. As you decide what to bring, keep in mind that you have an 80-pound weight limit on baggage.
Peace Corps News
Current events relating to Peace Corps are also available by country of service or your home state
The following is automatic RSS feed of Peace Corps news for this country.- Real Photo of Bai Bureh Discovered - Patriotic Vanguard (May 24)
- NPCA Board Member Installed as Paramount Chief in Sierra Leone - Cocorioko (May 14)
- Former Peace Corps volunteer is asked to meet with African president - KeysNews.com (registration) (May 13)
- Awareness Times News Briefs from Sierra Leone - May 9th 2013 - Awareness Times (May 09)
- Peace Corps embark on a Stomp out Malaria Bike Ride - Awoko (May 07)
- THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF A RARE HISTORICAL DISCOVERY ? AN ACTUAL ... - Cocorioko (May 02)
- Peace Corps honors UTSA as top 10 volunteer-producing Hispanic Serving ... - UTSA Today (Apr 26)
PEACE CORPS JOURNALS
( As of Friday May 24, 2013 )