uEnd:poverty

School Gardens Growing Strong

CAUSE/SECTOR: Education Agriculture Health
PROJECT BY:

Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone has suffered from much strife and civil war, which finally ended in 2002. Although there has been real economic growth in this country since the end of the war, the majority of Sierra Leone’s population still remains in poverty. Health and nutrition are among the worst in the world as reflected by the country’s high infant and maternal mortality rates, and high incidence of tuberculosis and malaria.

To sustain high economic growth, reduce poverty levels, generate jobs and improve food security, focus is to support to private sector development, infrastructure, agriculture and mining. An integrated rural and private sector development initiative will target agriculture and youth unemployment.

Sources:
http://web.worldbank.org
http://devdata.worldbank.org
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sl.html

Quick Facts

  • Ethnic Groups: 20 African ethnic groups 90% (Temne 30%, Mende 30%, other 30%), Creole (Krio) 10% (descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area in the late-18th century), refugees from Liberia's recent civil war, small numbers of Europeans,
  • Languages: English (official, regular use limited to literate minority), Mende (principal vernacular in the south), Temne (principal vernacular in the north), Krio (English-based Creole, spoken by the descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Free
  • Religions: Muslim 60%, Christian 10%, indigenous beliefs 30%
  • Head of State: President Ernest Bai Koronoma
  • GDP: $1.4 billion (US) (2006)
  • External Debt: $1 682 000 (US) (2006)
  • Unemployment: n/a
  • People living in poverty: 70% of Population/ 9.8 million people (2006)
  • Infant Mortality: 165 deaths per 1000 births (2005)
  • Internet Users: 11,200 (2005)
  • Population: 5,600,000 (2006)
  • Find other projects in this country
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
  1. Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
  2. Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education
  3. Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women
  4. Goal 4: Reduce child mortality
  5. Goal 5: Improve maternal health
  6. Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
  7. Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability
  8. Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for development

Learn more about MDGs