YAD, FlexStrom and Fambul Tik boost Peace Through Sport in Sierra Leone

27/06/2012 Othman Sheriff

By Sheku F. Sesay, Kenema

 

FlexStrom GmbH, an energy provider based in Berlin Germany, in collaboration with Fambul Tik für die Benachteiligten e.V. (FTB) and Youth in Action for Development (YAD), a charity organization operating in Sierra Leone,   has boosted sport in some villages in the Kenema district, eastern Sierra Leone in preparation ahead of the forth coming presidential and parliamentary elections due in November this year.

The support which included 30 footballs and 36 vests were donated to Giehun Kojo, Bendoma in the Malegohun chiefdom and Vaama and Matakan, Niawa Chiefdom in the same district.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the match, the Executive Director of Youth in Action for Development (YAD), Ms. Christabel Adama Decker  informed the beneficiary communities that the match was cosponsored by FTB and FlexStrom GmbH both of which are based in Berlin – Germany and the project is implemented by YAD.  The tournament, they said, was to foster peace and reunification between the participating communities since they are said to have been at loggerhead as a result of grudges they accumulated during a civil war that officially ended  about 10 years ago.  “It high time to reunify you so that you can remain peaceful and calm during the upcoming elections” she stated.

Receiving the football kits and footballs donated,   the Vice Paramount Chief of Malegohun Chiefdom, Mr. David Kabo thanked FlexStrom , FTB and YAD referring to their gifts as an extraordinary gesture.  “Though there is no electricity in the part of the world we are living, but the footballs and vests presented to us by FlexStrom tells us that it management does sympathize with our situation”, he said.  The tournament, he said, would serve as bridge between the participating communities so that they can once more reunify together and get over their difference.  

The match ended with one to zero in favor of the hosting community, Ngiehun. 

The winner (Giehun) received the cup, three footballs, one set football vest with FlexStrom inscriptions on it plus Le 250,000.00; the looser received Le 150.000.00, one set football vest with FlexStrom inscription plus three footballs.  Matakahun who didn’t participate in the match due to  one reason or the other, received one set football vest and three footballs.

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About Othman Sheriff 350 Articles
Othman Sheriff is an experienced Sierra Leonean development professional, peacebuilding practitioner, professional journalist and human rights advocate with over two decades of engagement in community development, youth empowerment, education, humanitarian assistance and international development cooperation. Born and raised in Kenema District, Eastern Sierra Leone, he has dedicated much of his professional career to improving the socioeconomic conditions of vulnerable and marginalised populations, particularly disadvantaged young people, women, children and underserved rural communities. As the Founder and Programme Director of Youth in Action for Development (YAD), Sheriff has played a leading role in mobilising international development assistance and coordinating community-driven interventions aimed at poverty reduction, sustainable livelihoods, social inclusion and grassroots development. Over the years, he has facilitated the mobilisation and implementation of development projects worth billions of Leones, supported by international development partners, including European development institutions, humanitarian organisations and United Nations agencies. A committed advocate for free and inclusive Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Sheriff spearheaded the establishment of the Youth Resource Academy (YRA) in 2018, through which he has championed access to practical, employment-oriented education for underprivileged youth, particularly young women, school dropouts, single mothers, widows, unemployed youth and individuals from economically disadvantaged households. So far, the Academy has provided vocational, technical and entrepreneurship training opportunities to more than 2,000 youth helping them acquire marketable skills, pursue self-employment and improve their economic independence. He also solicit funds to provide start up kits for the youth who graduated from the academy. In addition to his development and humanitarian work, Sheriff serves as the Editor-in-Chief and CEO of Critique Echo Newspaper, using journalism as a platform to promote accountability, responsible governance, social justice and public awareness of critical socioeconomic and human rights issues. He is a dedicate member of many international peacebuilding networks including the United Religions Initiative (URI), International Association of Educators for World Peace (IAEWP), Intercultural Leaders Network of the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations (UNAOC)`s Youth Solidarity Fund, and the alumni Association of King Hamad Youth Empowerment Awards. Through his leadership, advocacy and international partnerships, Sheriff continues to champion a vision of Sierra Leone in which disadvantaged young people have equitable access to education and economic opportunities, women and girls live free from violence and discrimination, human rights are respected, and communities are empowered to pursue peaceful, inclusive and sustainable development.