Provinces research and pre-needs-assessment meetings

 Day 1:

Travel to Pujehun via Bo and Kenema (Paul Turton)

Arrival approximately 7.30pm @Pujehun Town:  

Pujehun Town: Meetings with the paramount chief speaker and District held to discuss about the International Youth Foundation (IYF) intended needs assessment. Further meetings planned for 9am next day.

 Day 2:

 Pujehun Town: Further meetings with the paramount chief speaker, youth leader and District Chairman. Contact details and provisional meetings scheduled for the end of March. Research undertaken interviewing a cross section of young people and women on issues of democracy, civic participation, and MP accountability. 

 Potoru: Meetings with the Paramount Chief, Paramount Chief Speaker, Elders, Local Authorities, and youth leaders. Contact details and provisional meetings scheduled for the end of March. Research undertaken interviewing a cross section of young people and women on issues of democracy, civic participation, and MP accountability. Further discussions held with young people and women about developmental issues including Agriculture and women’s rights.

 Day 3:

 Depart Potoru 9am

 Futa Pejeh: Meetings with the Paramount Chief, Paramount Chief Speaker, Elders, Local Authorities, and youth leaders. Contact details and provisional meetings scheduled for the end of March. Research undertaken interviewing a cross section of young people and women on issues of democracy, civic participation, and MP accountability. Further discussions held with young people and women about developmental issues including Agriculture, local politics, and women’s rights.

 Segbwema: Attempt to set up meetings with community leaders thwarted by lack of availability. Provisional meetings scheduled for following afternoon. Meet with the Paramount chief regarding IYF needs assessment.

 Daru: Arrival approximately 8.30pm. Brief discussions held with P/C, P/C speaker, and local authority leader. Community meeting planned for 8.30am next day.

 Day 4:

 Daru: Address community members and various authority figures (P/C, youth leader etc) regarding IYFs planned needs assessment and salient developmental issues. Community members extremely responsive and enthusiastic about the initiative.

 Kailahun Town: Meetings with the local authorities, paramount chiefs and youth leaders. Provisional meetings scheduled for the end of March regarding IYF needs assessment. Brief tour of the women’s groups and youth groups undertaken – lots of positive activity and enthusiasm.

 Kenema: Meet with Mr Harding at the EYE FORUM regarding developmental issues and IYF needs assessment

 Depart Kenema to Bo

 Day 5:

 Depart Kenema arrive Freetown 4pm.