Donations | Membership | Download our info pack

Youth Crime Watch of Sierra Leone

About Youth Crime Watch of Sierra Leone

Since the end of the brutal and senseless war in Sierra Leone, crime, violence and drug abuse among youth has been on the increase. In response, a group of young people came together to sensitize their fellow youth. Their efforts made such an impact that a good number of youths changed their life style to a better one. To continue this good work, Emmanuel Sartie made contact with YCWA, and established Youth Crime Watch of Sierra Leone in October 2003 with the aim of taking an active role in reducing crime in institutions and communities with support from stakeholders such as Civil Society, local and international NGO's, the government of Sierra Leone, United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), Civil Police Unit (CIVPOL).

Today, Youth Crime Watch of Sierra Leone supports "watch out" activities, such as crime reporting and "help out" activities, such as monitoring, mentoring and mediation. It provides:

Background information about Youth Crime Watch
YCW awareness presentations
YCW implementation training for your site
Technical assistance getting your site started
Technical assistance once your site is up and running

Please check back for more updates from Sierra Leone.

News from Sierra Leone

February 11-14, 2008: Youth Crime Watch Sierra Leone conducts workshop in Kailahum - "Crime, Violence, and Drug Abuse Among Youths"

On the 7th February 2008, a three man delegation from Youth Crime Watch Sierra Leone left Freetown for a 300-mile journey on muddy roads to the town of Kailahun in the far east of the country near the Guinean and Liberian borders. The delegation was comprised of Mr. Emmanuel S. Sartie, Mr. Alex J. Amara, and Mr Makieu Daboh. On arrival, the delegation made a courtesy call on the Local Unit Commander where they explained their mission to the police. The LUC welcomed them and granted them permission to conduct the intended workshop and promised to work with them and assigned officer Sanpha Kamara as their liaison.

The road to Kailahun (Emmanuel Sartie).

From the LUC, the delegation headed to the local chiefs. The Paramount Chief was not in town but met the Section Chief Brima Samanyandeh and the Elders. The YCWSL delegation explained their mission and purpose of the meeting. The chiefs were very happy and expressed that the group was free to go on with the intended workshop as it was geared towards helping the youths and their children will be the beneficiaries.

The workshop on “Violence, Crime Prevention and Drug Abuse” was officially opened on the 11th February 2008. Among the several dignitaries who graced the occasion were the Section Chief and other Chiefs, the LUC’s representative, crime prevention officer Mr Sanpha Koroma, the local radio (Radio Moa) manager Mr. Sahr Juma, and Mr. Tamba Makieu, Coordinator of Gender Empowerment. Most of them made statements during the opening all geared towards the prevention of crime.

The workshop followed the opening ceremony. Participants were drawn from the following: secondary schools - Methodist Secondary, National Secondary, Ahmadiyya Secondary and Luawa Islamic Secondary Bike Riders Association - and other community members. During the workshop, participants were put into four discussion groups who were given the task of critically discussing the topic of the workshop.

The second day the lecture continued with participants looking at the history of Youth Crime Watch, its philosophy, mission and vision. This aspect was vividly explained by Mr. Emmanuel Sartie. The participants were involved in several role-plays around the theme of the workshop.

The third day the workshop continued with several other lectures with four different scenarios created and assigned to the different groups. The groups met to discuss the different assignments given them. After the plenary sessions the groups came together for discussion.

Photos from the event:

Kailahun workshop

March 21-24, 2007, Denver, Colorado: Sierra Leone sends students to YCWA's international conference in Denver

YCW Sierra Leone's Emmanuel Sartie with Paul Rusesabagina, keynote speaker at the conference, whose story inspired the film Hotel Rwanda.

The conference offered many opportunities for networking and sharing experiences. Here, Emmanuel Sartie with Paul Rusesabagina (Rwanda) and Abdul Jobe (the Gambia).

YCW Sierra Leone took part in the International Forum at the 18th National Youth Crime Prevention Conference in Denver, Colorado. See more photos from this event on the 2007 conference photo gallery.

Sept 26-Oct 4, 2006: Training in Kono and Kenema focuses on Crime, Drug and Violence Prevention Education

A three-day training workshop on the crime prevention and drug abuse among youths commenced on the 27th September 2006 at the youth center in Kono. Among the dignitaries that graced the official opening ceremony were the community relation department's Mustaph Kamara, Youth leader Tamba Komba and Women’s leader Sia Tamba. The aforementioned dignitaries made several statements and the women’s leader declared the workshop opened. The types of drugs and crimes were discussed with empirical evidence of the different types of drugs. A Youth Crime Watch "Getting Started" video was presented by Emmanuel Sartie, National Co-Coordinator YCWSL. The participants were served both break and lunch throughout the workshop. The participants were divided into three (3) discussion groups and presentations were made by the representatives of the different discussion groups. Participants came from different schools and youth groups within the township. Youth Crime Watch t-shirts were distributed to the participants. Emmanuel Sartie and Janet Leigh facilitated the workshops.

Photos from the event:

August 25, 2006: Extra Mile Awards presented in special ceremony with U.S. Ambassador

The full story

REPORT: YCWSL Activities October 2005-July 2006

Download report (PDF 97 kB)

February 22, 2006: Youth Crime Watch Week a Success

The events organized by Youth Crime Watch of Sierra Leone for the week of February 6-12, 2006, were, by all accounts an outstanding success. The week included a three-day workshop on crime and drug abuse prevention among youth and a parade for youth groups which wound through Freetown. The U.S. Deputy Ambassador to Sierra Leone Mr. James A Stewart was on hand to kick off the workshops with a special message to those present supporting their Youth Crime Watch efforts and encouraging them to continue "watching out and helping out." Also present were the Honorable Minister of Youth and Sport in Sierra Leone Dr. Dennis Bright and, representing the Inspector General of Police office, Staff Superintendent Memunatu Bangura. To learn more about the events of the week, browse through the photos below (with captions!) and also have a look at what the Sierra Leone press had to say.

Newspaper clippings:

Report:

YCWSL's full report on the campaign (PDF 99 kB)

Photos from the week:

Click for larger photo with caption.

Youth Crime Watch Week 6-12 February 2006

Monday, 6 February 2006
Radio Discussion - Two Radio Stations F.M 98.1 And Radio UN

Visit to Some Institutions

Juvenile Detention Centre
Police Headquarters
City Of Rest
Kissy Mental Home
Fire Stone

Tuesday 7-9 February 2006
Three Day Workshop
Topic: PREVENTION OF CRIME AND DRUG ABUSE AMONG YOUTHS

PROGRAMME FOR OFFICIAL WORKSHOP OPENING

Venue: YMCA HALL, 32 Fort Street, Freetown
Date: 7 February 2006
GUEST SPEAKER: Dr. Dennis Bright - Minister of Youths and Sports

8:30-9:00-Arrival Of Participants

9:00-9:45-Arrival Of Guests

10:00AM- introduction Of Chairman –By a Member Of YCWSL

Chairman Welcome Address- Mr. Anthony Koroma- Director Of Youth, Ministry Of Youths and Sports

STATEMENTS FROM

Inspector General Of Police

British High Commissioner

Head, Peace And Conflict Studies Department –FBC

Executive Director – National Drug Control Agency

The Charge de Affairs –German Embassy

The Chinese Ambassador

The American Ambassador – To declare the workshop open

Refreshments

Friday 10 February 2006
Muslim Prayers At Mende Mosque, Circular, Freetown

Saturday 11 February 2006
Float Parade - Up Gone - Congo Cross Round - 9:00 AM

Sunday 12 February 2006
Thanksgiving Service at Balmer Memorial Methodist Church
John Street, Freetown

November 2005: YCWSL meets with the Sierra Leone Police

meeting with the Inspector General
YCWSL meets with the Inspector General. Left to Right are T.M.Lahai Director of Corporate Services for the Sierra Leone Police, Francis Turay, Janet M.H. Leigh, Inspector General of Police Brima Acha Kamara, and Emmanuel S.Sartie of head of YCWSL

Efforts to establish a partnership between YCWSL and Sierra Leone Police got off to a promising start on November 10. YCWSL representatives met with the Inspector General of Police and the Director of Corporate Services for the Police. A memorandum of understanding is in the works to outline the nature of the relationship and as a direct result of the meeting, the Corporate Services Department forwarded a letter to the United Nations police office in Sierra Leone recommending that UNAMSIL provide crime prevention training materials and other support to YCWSL. The letter went to say that "as crime prevention is a core objective in our strategic policing plan, we welcome the initiative of YOUTH CRIME WATCH-SIERRA LEONE as handy and look forward to a cordial working relationship with them."

October 2005: YCWSL uncovers visa con artist

Youth Crime Watch Sierra Leone played a key role in apprehending a suspected visa con artist taking advantage of people who hope to gain repatriation visas to the United Kingdom. The con artist, a woman operating under the alias Tina Turna, claimed to be an agent of the International Organization for Migration. Ten families are reportedly involved. Visa fraud is a serious crime which can estrange people from large sums of money in return for false promises. The suspect was taken into custody. YCW earned public recognition for its role in her apprehension.

July 2005: YCW Sierra Leone oversees peaceful student elections

ycw oversees elections

Youth Crime Watch took the lead to oversee a tense election at Njala University. In the past, election violence has troubled the school. Prior to the election, YCW met with students to explain the need to maintain calm. They also met with leaders of the opposing parties represented. YCW's success in this effort did not go unnoticed. Local press interviewed Emmanuel Sartie, leader of Youth Crime Watch of Sierra Leone and outlined YCWSL's broader mission to create a social environment free of crime and violence.

Congratulations on your success!

May 2005: Photos from Youth Crime Watch in Sierra Leone

Click for larger photo.

April 2005: Two from Sierra Leone receive International Extra Mile Awards from Youth Crime Watch of America

The International Extra Mile Award recognizes the hard work done by dedicated individuals to establish Youth Crime Watch programs in international settings. We recognize these individuals for accepting the challenge and "going the extra mile" in adapting the crime watch philosophy to local conditions. To them and all their brothers and sisters, Thank You!

Mohamed Sillah Sesay
Emmanuel Sartie

In Sierra Leone, two men have stepped forward and truly demonstrated a commitment to the Youth Crime Watch philosophy. The dedication and perseverance of both Mohamed Sillah Sesay and Emmanuel Sartie to the creation of safe, drug- and violence-free communities for the youth of Sierra Leone has brought Youth Crime Watch Sierra Leone earned them 2005 International Extra Mile Awards.

See other winners.