EFSL

THE ROLE OF EFSL IN PLURALISTIC EXTENSION AND ADVISORY SERVICES IN SIERRA LEONE

As in many other countries extension service provision is characterized by the multiple service providers responding to the needs and demands of farmers. Within the pluralistic extension system of Sierra Leone, EFSL plays an important role in supporting smallholder farmers in the rural areas. The organization brings together government ministries ,Local Councils, private organizations, and stakeholders to jointly plan, implement, and evaluate projects in active collaboration with farmers through effective communication and sharing of experiences in dealing with the development of human and social capital, focusing on changing human attitude and behavior towards agriculture in positive sense.

EFSL COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING GENDER EQUITABLE SERVICES

In a male dominated society like Sierra Leone, even where the population of women and children is higher compared to the men, women and children do not have equal opportunities and access to resources and decision making. Women and girls child have their roles limited to the home and have limited or no input in community matters that affect their own lives. To strike the balance, the EFSL has since 1989 established a women’s and children’s department that works towards encouraging the participation of women and children in the family, community and development processes while at the same time promoting the basic rights of the women and children and mitigating harmful traditional practices among women and children social structures.

OUR CONTRIBUTION TO IMPROVED NUTRITION IN SIERRA LEONE

In recognition of the relationship between nutrition, agricultural science and market forces, EFSL focus on increasing integrated value chain development programming, including nutritional consideration into core agricultural development work and maximizing nutritional impact. The organization has contributed immensely in promotion the nutritional status of households in the rural communities and mitigates the barriers of food myths especially for women and children.

EFSL has supported the cultivation of protein, minerals, vitamins and energy given foods (such as: soybeans, cowpeas, cassava, rice peanuts, vegetables etc.) in Bonthe and Pujehun districts, and also sensitizes and trains communities on nutrition facts and to consider diversification in both production and consumption of various food crops.

CAPACITY

Over the years the institutional capacity of the EFSL has been significantly enhanced especially in terms of its networks, infrastructures, management systems and human capital. The senior Staff team of the organization is composed of highly qualified and experienced men and women.

Their level of qualifications and experience can be compared to any humanitarian organization in the country. The Evangelical fellowship of Sierra Leone operates a standard financial management system, with a QuickBooks computerized system. We continue to produce audited accounts of our operations with credible and internationally acceptable auditors.

The Evangelical Fellowship of Sierra Leone has its Headquarters in Freetown and runs Sub- Offices in Pujehun, Mattru Jong. We also do have local contacts in every District and community with a local Church. These networks are a reservoir of people who volunteer their services as and when we need it and facilitate our deployment whenever there is need.

EFSL INTERVENTION AREAS

EFSL interventions cover a wide range of areas which include;

Facilitating Community Action

EFSL has been a major facilitator of many community actions in Sierra Leone especially during the eleven years rebel war from 1991-2002 and the period following. In 1995/96, EFSL’s brought hope to the lives of over 5,000 officially registered IDP’s who were residing at the Clay factory in Freetown. EFSL constructed and managed the camp with funds provided by Tearfund UK and DFID. In 1999 after the rebel invasion of Freetown, a second IDP camp at the Government Trade Center at Kissy Dock Yard was constructed and managed by the EFSL.

Relief Food Distribution

The EFSL in 1995-98 in partnership with the Food Aid Secretariat/WFP/ CRS provided food commodity storage and distribution to 5,000 IDP’s at the Clay Factory Displaced Camp and over 20,000 IDPs residing in Freetown. In 1999 – 2002, EFSL in partnership with WFP also provided food for IDPs at the Trade Centre displaced camp. In 2014 – 2015, EFSL in partnership with Tearfund, provided and distributed funds to Ebola affected people in western area and in Bombali district.

Food Security

In 1996, EFSL assisted 50 farm families at the Clay Factory Displaced camp with inputs to cultivate some acres of IVS at Waterloo. Through the project, the IDP’s farm families were assisted to resume normal livelihood strategies and consequently lessen their trauma.

Starting 2005, the EFSL implemented the Kambia integrated Development project in 4 chiefdoms (Mambolo, Samu, Tonko Limba and Brimaia) of the Kambia district. The main components of the integrated project were food security, Nutrition and Public Health.

From 2005 to 2007 EFSL serviced 2,100 Farm families with tools, seed (seed rice, vegetable seeds) and cassava cuttings. Farmers were trained to cultivate Inland valley swamps (IVS).Alongside the development new swamps, old Inland Valley Swamps were also rehabilitated. For the period under review EFSL facilitated the development of 11.4 ha of Inland valley swamps in Kambia District.

In 2008, EFSL implemented a three-year Food Security Project in two Chiefdoms (Malen and Ya-kemo Kpukum krim) in Pujehun District. The project targeted 1,350 beneficiaries for the three years.

The key components the Pujehun Food Security Project includes the development of inland valley swamps, Supply of seeds, tools and training of farmers of Farm management practices.

In 2011, EFSL implemented a five - year Food and nutrition security (FNS) Project in Bonthe district. The project targeted 2,450 farmers in four chiefdoms (Jong, Sogbeni, Kpandakemoh and Yawbeko). The main components of the Bonthe Food and Nutrition Security project were; the supply of improved seed, tools and training of farmers on best agronomic practices and best nutritional practices and also organized village savings and Loan Association (VSLA) among farmers in the communities.

Water and Sanitation

In 2006, with fund from Tearfund, EFSL mobilized communities in Kambia District to commence a WATSAN project. 15 water wells were constructed and 450 latrines built in communities.

From 2014 to 2017, EFSL has constructed 28 water points (safe and sustainable drinking water) in 28 communities in six (6) chiefdoms (Malen, Ya-kemo Kpukum Krim, Kpanga Kabondeh, Gallinas and Barri) in Pujehun district. Members were trained on the management of water point and village savings also organize among community members with the component of social fund used to take care of water point when damage occur in the future.

Advocacy

The EFSL is serving the nation of Sierra Leone as a ‘prophetic voice’ on nonpartisan basis. As an alliance that is committed to ensuring the promotion of peace and justice especially for the poor and marginalized, EFSL has over the years campaigned for good governance and the promotion of democratic principles. In this direction, the EFSL has always assessed and analyzed issues of governance and other national concerns and made appropriate responses through press conferences, position papers and policy influencing activities. EFSL continues to be an active local observer of all national elections and keenly monitoring the progress made towards the realization of the millennium development goals.

Empowering communities for development

EFSL has a team of dedicated and well trained staff in place who over the years have provided technical expertise in community development issues and methodologies to support community initiatives. The church and community mobilization process currently going on in Kambia, Pujehun and Bonthe has helped communities to become aware of their local realities and taking actions to address their local needs using locally available resources.

Pioneering evangelism and church planting activities

Since 1959/60 when EFSL started evangelistic outreaches through the New Life for All campaign, one core activity of the fellowship has always been on evangelism and church planting. This has taken place in various forms like the screening of the ‘Jesus’ film, corporate evangelistic programs, training in evangelism etc. through the role, many churches have been planted and for some assistance provided to construct small rural churches.

Building the capacity of pastors and church leaders/workers

EFSL has provided training support for the churches and church leaders over the years it has been existing. Through the EFSL, the Sierra Leone Bible College (now the Evangelical College of Theology) was founded in 1964. It has provided in-service training and refresher courses for pastors over the years. The bible Training center for Pastors and Church leaders is one course of study that still continue to develop the potentials of local pastors for effective ministry.

Constructing houses and schools for communities

Over the years, EFSL greatly contributed to the rehabilitation process following the return of peace to the country and the subsequent repatriation of the displaced people to their original communities. EFSL constructed 41 housing units in Waterloo for part of the resettled population and several schools in Kono with funds from the SABABU project- Ministry of youth, education and sports of the Sierra Leone government.

The organization, through the funds provided by Woord en Daad, has constructed ten (10) primary schools (6 class rooms) in Pujehun, Bonthe and Moyamba districts and train teachers to enhance quality education in Sierra Leone.

Technical vocational education and basic education

Sierra Leone inherited a system of education from the colonial masters that focused on bringing up elitist. The system created a huge gap between those who were labeled as ‘successful’ and the majority who were ‘failures’ in 1993, the Sierra Leone government adopted the 6-3-3-4 system of education that was focused on developing the middle level man power and promoting non formal education. EFSL was one of the pioneering organizations that opened a technical and vocational training center in 1994 for training young people in carpentry and wood work, metal works, tailoring and dressmaking and secretarial studies. The school was a major support to the government in training several ex-combatants who were reintegrated into civilian life when the war ended. This school continues to expand in influence in filling in the gaps where the government institutions cannot address adequately.

In 2011 and 2012 EFSL provided scholarship and school materials for marginalized children in Bo, Pujehun, Moyamba and Freetown. Also EFSL through its basic education programmes is supporting untrained teachers to access distance education programme in Bo, Pujehun, Kenema, Moyamba, Bonthe and Freetown.

Alleviating poverty through micro-finance

Sierra Leone ranks second to last in the UNDP development index. It is estimated that 70% of the country’s population live below the poverty line and 52% live on less than $1:00 per day. This gloomy situation was what prompted the EFSL to commence a micro finance that up to today provides capital for small scale business among the poor in Freetown and the provinces.