Grant Approved: SL Peace Corps Volunteer Project
FoSL President
We are proud to announce that the FoSL Board approved $1,443.71 to complete a Salone Peace Corps Volunteer’s $6,943.71 goal for a Skills Development Center in Jimmi Bagbo, a community south of Bo.
This project aims to transform a vacated facility into a vibrant community training center focused on skills development and vocational education. The primary goal is to equip community members with practical, income-generating skills through hands-on training and a peer-to-peer learning model. Each participant will be required to teach one other person before graduating, ensuring knowledge is shared widely and sustainably.
Funding supports the purchase of locally-made materials and the launch of workshops in carpentry, tailoring, agro-processing, and digital literacy—skills identified as top priorities through surveys of over 500 residents. The project will also strengthen the leadership and teaching abilities of local teams, ensuring the center is run by and for the community. These efforts will reduce unemployment, build a skilled workforce, and promote long-term economic growth.
With nearly 300 individuals ready to enroll, the center is expected to directly impact over 1,000 people in its first year. Over five years, more than 10,000 individuals could gain lifelong, marketable skills. Located in a central area that serves over 150,000 people across neighboring territories, the center will become a regional hub for opportunity, resilience, and sustainable development.
We wish the SL PCV and the community of Jimmi Bagbo the best and we know that their project will be a great success! We look forward to hearing about updates on the progress!
Happy holidays!
The FoSL Board
