2013-05-18T20:02:16-04:00 Charlie Habershon http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/author/index.php?author=charlie-habershon Copyright 2008, HuffingtonPost.com, Inc. HuffingtonPost Blogger Feed for Charlie Habershon Good old fashioned elbow grease. tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.2662170 2013-02-11T10:56:43-05:00 2013-04-13T05:12:01-04:00

Charlie Habershon http://www.huffingtonpost.com/charlie-habershon/
With the population and their cars refuelled and re-energised the country is now looking to the government to implement the 'Agenda for Prosperity' on which they campaigned. President Ernest Bai Koroma is in his second and final term, presenting him with an opportunity to put politics to one side and make difficult decisions that will ensure a 'prosperous' future for Sierra Leone.

So far, the government have displayed a willingness to make difficult decisions on some issues while displaying worrying short-sightedness on others. Last month, they moved petty traders off the roads in the centre of town as well as tightening up regulations on the popular Okada (Motorbike) taxis. The move on street traders was particularly controversial, putting many livelihoods at risk and one could argue the centre of town has lost much of its charm. But it was an important decision to clean up the streets and present Freetown as a capital open for business.

In stark contrast, last month also saw a law passed allowing sand mining to continue on the peninsular beaches six days a week. As documented in this excellent article, while sand mining is creating jobs for the young, it is endangering one of the country's greatest assets, its beaches. Anyone who has travelled to Sierra Leone will testify to its stunning coastline. Mining it is not only an environmental tragedy it is an economic one robbing the country of its huge tourism potential.

2012, with its peaceful elections, was seen as a landmark year for Sierra Leone but it is now that the hard work really begins. The President and his government are faced with the challenge of controlling rapid development. They will need to find a balance between creating jobs for the unemployed and protecting the countries assets for future generations. At this critical stage it is time for politics to take a back seat.]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.2244336 2012-12-05T10:07:58-05:00 2013-02-04T05:12:01-05:00

Charlie Habershon http://www.huffingtonpost.com/charlie-habershon/
When I looked around and observed peaceful processions, people quickly reminded me that one small spark could set everything off. I have even held back writing this article until the SLPP accepted defeat, something that they did on Monday. I think that organisations were right to ere on the side of safety as we did, but when you look back on events you cannot help but wonder what all the fuss was about?

Saturday 17 November was the day the nation went to the polls. With a driving ban in place, we spent the morning walking around the local community. The streets, usually filled with the noise of cars, were uncharacteristically quiet, filled just with the hums of muted excitement. The crowds were orderly and well organised as people gathered outside the local polling station. Exited voters proudly displayed their inked fingers, a symbol of their right to democracy. The day can only be described as uplifting and the people of Sierra Leone were clearly proud of the way it was being run.

The week that followed was one of rumour and intrigue. Everyone seemed to have a new source that could definitely confirm the result, but nothing official came until the following Friday. With news of an impending announcement, we gathered around the television to watch. When Ernest Bai Koroma's victory was confirmed by an impressive 58.7% margin a huge roar went up around the city. Even more impressive was the 87.3% voter participation a figure over double that of the UK election in 2011. People took to the streets, music blaring and pots and pans clattering. It was an amazing display of excitement, relief and joy. SLPP supporters were nowhere to be seen, but they were not going to ruin the party.

The day after the night before saw quite a few sore heads but also a feeling of excitement of what lies ahead. When speaking to SLPP supporters they were disappointed by the result. But they all spoke of a respect for Koroma and delight that the election had passed without problems acknowledging that this was a great day for the country.

Sierra Leone still faces very serious challenges and the next five years will not be easy for Koroma. Corruption is still rife in government, youth unemployment figures are high and education and health care provision are inadequate. But the election signifies that Sierra Leone is heading in the right direction and the world is finally starting to see the country in the same peaceful, welcoming way its people do.

After the results BBC International Development correspondent Mark Doyle tweeted 'After these well run elections I promise never again to use the phrase 'war-torn Sierra Leone'. A big step for the international community, but one that Sierra Leoneans like Ibrahim took a long time ago.]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.2088709 2012-11-07T12:33:15-05:00 2013-01-07T05:12:01-05:00

Charlie Habershon http://www.huffingtonpost.com/charlie-habershon/
Alongside the fun, there are serious matters to be debated. Sierra Leone is at a critical point in its development. Despite some progress, Sierra Leone's recovery remains fragile and the country ranks 180 of 187 on the UNDP development index with 77% of Sierra Leone's living in poverty and 62.79% living on less than $1.25 a day (UNDP Multidimensional Poverty Index 2011). Youth unemployment is staggering high with 70% underemployed or unemployed and 50% illiterate and unskilled (Joint Response to Youth Employment in Sierra Leone 2010). In recent global competitivity report, Sierra Leone ranked 143 out of 144. Infrastructure, corruption and an uneducated workforce were amongst the biggest barriers to development, but topping all of these was the lack of access to financial support.

Microfinance organisations are trying to address this issue, but many do not have the capacity to support those who most need it. Currently, many small business owners are seen as too risky to receive loans despite vast experience in trade. This is because they are unable to show adequate book keeping skills to prove their business viable and do not have an organisation to act as a guarantor. Loan officers, many fresh from University, who could provide training and mentoring to this group, do not themselves currently feel confident enough to provide the support needed.

Capacity building organisation The Collective - Sierra Leone have just agreed a partnership with Salone Microfinance Trust (SMT) to try and address this issue and help SMT towards its mission to 'reduce poverty among the economically active poor by providing sustainable access to financial services'. In January, with the support of talented professionals from around the world who believe in using business to fight poverty, we will launch a pilot project to establish a framework that will allow the economically active poor, who were previously seen as too risky for a loan, to have access to microfinance.

Take Fatuma for example, a small business owner who needs capital to build his business. He works with wood and carpentry and has many clients but needs to build a proper workshop space with a proper cover and some more equipment if he wants to grow his business. He doesn't qualify for a loan today because he is illiterate and has not been keeping records of his accounts. He knows his trade and how to run the rest of his business inside out, he is just lacking the business training and book keeping and therefore is deemed too risky to receive a loan.

The training will not only provide beneficiaries with the necessary skills to access and make best use of loans, but also provide training for the loan officers so they can also deliver the training and provide the necessary mentoring support. Loan officers at SMT are typically straight from university with no previous work experience but really wish to move on from being just a relationship partner to being more of a business advisor. However, they lack the business acumen and confidence to act as business partner advisors to their clients. Their time is predominantly spent in the field, checking-in with their existing clients and locating new ones. Currently, they are at a dead end and cannot offer a solution to new clients who need more support. They do not have the skills to support them to develop their skills and SMT has not got the resources or expertise to do so either.

The programme will allow SMT to not only provide loans, but also be involved in ideas generation, business planning, and ongoing support for their recipients, and have a closer relationship which will reduce the likelihood of the loan being defaulted on. In doing so we will significantly widen the number of recipients SMT can support (with a target of 70). If this pilot in the Bombali district is successful, the model could then be replicated in other regions and the number of beneficiaries reached greatly increased.

Whoever the people choose come 17 November will be responsible for guiding the country through a critical stage in its development. With foreign investors waiting to take advantage of the countries rich mineral resources, it is vital that the money is properly managed and capacity built so that everyone can benefit.

If you are a skilled professional interested in joining the team for this exciting pilot, visit www.thecollectivesl.co.uk ]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.1618692 2012-06-22T10:57:05-04:00 2012-08-22T05:12:22-04:00

Charlie Habershon http://www.huffingtonpost.com/charlie-habershon/
In my nine months here, I have never watched so much of the 'beautiful game'. Where ever you travel, you are never far from local cinemas (small shacks) televising games from around the world. Back in January, while watching the FA Cup, a large shouting match erupted between two men at a bar. I was convinced that there had been an act of ultimate betrayal or something had been stolen, but kept hearing the words 'Ronaldo' and 'Messi'. When I inquired further, I was told they were simply discussing which superstar had a better record for their country. The two men finally shook hands, agreeing to disagree.

As a Portsmouth fan, my declaration of support is often met with a quizzical look. I have to this day spotted four shirts. Each owner recalled the glory days of Kanu, Muntari and Benjani. Our local councillor is an avid Liverpool fan. Each week he stops me for a discussion about the club. Throughout March he was convinced that Benitez should be brought back, Reina sacked for being too old and Downing placed in goal. A solution that in no way reflects the amazing knowledge most Sierra Leoneans have of the Premier League.

Euro fever was quick to take hold in Sierra Leone. Many teams were being supported, with the majority backing England and Spain. For the opening game against France, we crammed into a small cinema in Makeni. I quickly regretted wearing my England shirt. Not because of the thralls of French (although there were a number of fans from Guinea), but because last season's kit had clearly been designed for an English winter not a humid mid-afternoon in West-Africa. I left the game 2 stone lighter, but happy with the result.

The next two games, I took in with the ex-pat community of Freetown in the country's only Irish bar. The sea breeze and large fans made the thick shirt slightly more bearable, but the flickering satellite coverage left us in suspense on a number of occasions.

While the football world's attention is currently on Europe, it should also be pointed out that Sierra Leone are in the midst of African Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifiers. Three weeks ago Sierra Leone enjoyed a 2-1 victory of Cape Verde with a goal direct from a corner and a stunning bicycle kick. After securing a 2-2 draw with Equatorial Guinea a week later (both World Cup Qualifiers), the team then returned to the National Stadium for the second leg of their African Cup of Nations qualifier against Sao Tome, a country with a population of just 56,000. The minnows took a surprising second minute lead, silencing the packed stadium. Just twenty minutes later and Sierra Leone were 4-1 up after a flurry of bizarre mix-ups and unusual bounces. The game eventually finished 4-2 with Sierra Leone going through 5-4 on aggregate. Despite the police's best efforts, the crowd ran on to the pitch in jubilation. My lasting image is that of Mohammed Kalon, once of Inter Milan and Monaco, being stripped to his underwear by adoring fans and then continuing to applaud the crowd on a lap of honour.

One of our partners, The Craig Bellamy Foundation, recognises this passion (for football not Kalon's underwear) and uses football as a tool for development. Our volunteers support the development and capacity building of the league, which operates in four regions. The teams are not just ranked on results but also fair play, participation in community projects and school attendance. The rules are simple, if you don't go to school you don't play. Still only in its third season, the league has seen outstanding results and successfully utilises a passion for football for positive change.

Football is played everywhere and can provide a much needed respite from the day to day struggle of life here. On Sunday, many Freetowners, after an afternoon playing on their beach will turn their attention to England's quarter-final against Italy. Let's just hope Roy doesn't put Downing in goal...

Interested in experiencing 'football crazy' Sierra Leone? Visit www.thecollectivesl.co.uk ]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.1595894 2012-06-14T06:32:03-04:00 2012-08-14T05:12:09-04:00

Charlie Habershon http://www.huffingtonpost.com/charlie-habershon/
Running a Marathon is no easy task. Doing it in the heat of Sierra Leone, is exceptional. Officials reported that temperatures were at 32 degrees with a staggering 92% humidity. I took the decision not to run. Instead, along with The Collective - Sierra Leone volunteers I joined the support team ensuring that the runners had water, energy snacks and moral support around the track. All of us at The Collective were keeping a close eye out for Sally, a local runner who was a friend of our volunteers.

I first met Sally in January, when we stopped in at the local poyo bar close to our volunteer's house. She was working hard ensuring all the local drinkers had their cups full of palm wine.

She told us of her love for running. She had been part of a team that took part in the annual Waterloo to Freetown race, an event in which she finished second. Sadly, women's athletics has for a long time been short on funding and so she has received very little formal training.

Fortunately, our first cohort of volunteers were keen runners. They soon got to know Sally and began to run with her in the early mornings. She would consistently put them through the paces, gliding gracefully over the muddy tracks around the outskirts of Makeni. While the volunteers rested over breakfast, Sally was straight back to work selling drinks. When it came to marathon registration, the volunteers all got together to pay Sally's entry fee and gave her some running kit that could give her the edge.

Come race day, we gave Sally a lift to start line. She seemed unfazed by the challenge and excited to get started. I found out later that she had not even had breakfast. Surrounded by over a hundred runners from around the world, she looked relaxed as the official signalled the start of the race.

Two and a half hours later and the runners started to trickle in. We continued to keep a close eye for Sally, hoping that she could be up amongst the top women. At around the 4 hour mark, the first female came across the line an experienced runner from the UK. This was a pattern that followed for the top three. But at around the 4:20 minute mark we spotted Sally, charging towards the line. As she breezed past the finish, she became the first Sierra Leone women ever to complete a marathon on home soil. What's more she barely looked tired.

As the other runners came in, Sally danced to the local band and quizzically examined the various energy supplements in her goody bag. It was an emotional moment as she stepped onto the podium with her proud father to receive her cheque from a local representative of UN women. But soon after her moment of glory it was back to work, selling drinks like she has always done.

It was a remarkable day for three simple reasons. Firstly, the organisers brought over 150 people from around the world to Sierra Leone. These people saw the beauty of the country, met the people and will now return home with positive stories. Secondly, it gave Sierra Leone athletes, like Sally, the opportunity to run in a competitive race and learn from experienced runners. Hopefully they will be motivated to continue to train and sponsors will step forward to make the dream of Rio in 2016 a reality. And finally, and probably most remarkably, everyone finished.]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.1458429 2012-04-27T07:27:21-04:00 2012-06-27T05:12:02-04:00

Charlie Habershon http://www.huffingtonpost.com/charlie-habershon/
I was spending the morning with my friend Sam who is volunteering for children's charity 'Future for Children'. The charity works on the streets of the capital, intercepting street children, reuniting them with their families and supporting them through school. We were taken to look at schools their beneficiaries attend and witness some of the amazing work the organisation carries out.

On our walk we met Ibrahim B. Kallon, 55, who, like many, moved to the city during the war in search of refuge with his wife and two daughters. The rest of his family were not so lucky and ultimately he holds Charles Taylor responsible for that. But today, like yesterday, Ibrahim is without a job and unable to provide support for his family as the country rebuilds. A verdict on Charles Taylor is not going to change that.

Later, we approached an old lady selling goods on the roadside and asked her thoughts on the trial. The response was simple. 'I do not want to talk about that man, he should go away and die'. Others we talked to reflected this hatred for the man telling us the different ways the war had effected their lives. Restaurant owner Kadiaku Kamara, 31, spoke of the day she lost both her parents. 'On that day I had to grow up, it was the time responsibility came to us and I was just 14'. The war had changed her life forever and yet, interestingly, we had to tell her the trial was today.

I do not doubt that there were benefits to the trial of Charles Taylor, but we did not witness any in Freetown. In fact, the city had the sense of business as usual. Much of the talk was of the evening's lantern parade which is a tradition on the eve of Independence. When I mention to a friend the cost of the Charles Taylor trial she is evidently shocked. A waste of money in her opinion, 'we all knew he was guilty a long time ago.' This opinion was one we heard time and time again. My friend Sam says his boss was equally shocked. Understandable when you think that the $250 million invested in the case could support 1.2m street children on their current budget.

Sierra Leoneans have an unrivalled ability to forgive and forget. Their focus is on overcoming the challenges of everyday life and rebuilding the country to fulfil its clear potential. The trial could be viewed as an unwelcome reminder of the past. A lot can be learnt from the civil war and I think the streets of Freetown, not The Hague, is the best place to start.]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.1449330 2012-04-25T19:00:00-04:00 2012-06-25T05:12:02-04:00

Charlie Habershon http://www.huffingtonpost.com/charlie-habershon/
Independence week also sees the verdict on Charles Taylor, a man seen by most as responsible for the savage Civil War by which this country is sadly often defined. The former President of Liberia stands accused of aiding the Rebel Army (RUF) in Sierra Leone through weapon sales in return for the now infamous 'Blood Diamonds'. Opinion is largely split over his trial. Before moving to The Hague he was originally tried at the UN special court in Freetown, the first of its kind. Many saw it as an important step to the episode's closure, while others viewed it as a waste of funds which could have been better spent rebuilding vital infrastructure such as schools and hospitals.

The differing opinions reflect the country's willingness to forgive and desire to look to the future. Interestingly this week also marks the official opening of iron ore producer London Mining. The company has just made its first shipment of iron ore, and along with its rival African Minerals is largely responsible for the country's predicted 35% growth. This is not to say the country will be joining the BRIC nations anytime soon but it is still a positive sign of economic progress. However, economic growth does not always reflect an improvement in the standard of living and that is where the challenge really lies for the country.

The past 51 years have not been easy. It is amazing to consider that in 1961, both Sierra Leone and Singapore were granted independence and it was the former that was signalled out for having the brightest future. In my opinion, this week's events are significant for two reasons. Firstly, and forgive me for stating the obvious, mineral wealth can be both a blessing and a curse. The country must ensure that it uses its resources to improve the quality of people's lives. Secondly, its government must remember its independence, too often outside parties intent on making their buck can, to put it mildly, lead to problems. Sierra Leone has come a long way in the last 10 years and in my opinion has the potential for a very bright future.]]>