Entrepreneurship training in Sierra Leone is becoming more important than ever. In the heart of Freetown, a powerful collaboration is forming to empower women and youth through technology and business education.
We want to scale our impact and reach every corner of the country. To do this, we’ve found a remarkable partner in Don Bosco Fambul.
This local non-governmental organization has a long and powerful history in Freetown, working with some of the most vulnerable youth in the country—many of whom have experienced life on the streets.
Don Bosco’s commitment to providing comprehensive support is unmatched. For instance, they assist with family reunification, education, and skills training. As a result, they are an invaluable ally in our mission for entrepreneurship training in Sierra Leone.
A Partnership Built on Trust and Expertise
Don Bosco Fambul isn’t just a partner; they are a beacon of hope. They have been a reference point for child protection for decades, providing safe spaces, therapy, and technical and vocational training to young people who have been through unimaginable hardships.
They’ve earned the trust of the community, and their ability to connect with these young people is unparalleled. It is their deep understanding of the local context that makes this partnership so impactful.
We’ve joined forces to create a dynamic “train the trainers” program. It’s nothing short of inspiring. For example, we’ve selected three dedicated and skilled trainers from Don Bosco. They already have experience in their fields. However, entrepreneurship is new to them. Therefore, we’re committed to giving them the tools they need to succeed.
A Hybrid Approach to Entrepreneurship Training in Sierra Leone
Our training program is a powerful hybrid of online and in-person sessions, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience:
- Online Entrepreneurship Leadership: From Monday to Friday, we dive deep into the fundamentals of entrepreneurship. Our online sessions cover everything from defining what an entrepreneur is to exploring different mindsets, crafting a value proposition, and conducting customer discovery. We’re equipping these trainers with the knowledge to build a startup from the ground up.
- In-Person Training Mastery: Tuesdays are for intensive, in-person training sessions. This is where the magic of “train the trainers” truly happens. We don’t just talk about entrepreneurship; we focus on how to teach it. We brainstorm games, share tools and techniques, and discuss how to ignite passion and cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset in young people, four-week in-person training was all about the art of teaching, helping our trainers master the skills of facilitation and mentorship.
As a result, these trainers have been shining, absorbing every lesson and tool we provide.They’ve fully embraced the concept of pulling out the inherent passion and potential that lies within each individual.
The knowledge they’re gaining is invaluable, and they’ll soon be ready to lead their own training sessions with the young people at Don Bosco.
Bridging the Language Gap
One of the most critical aspects of this program is its focus on local communities and languages. During a recent visit to a village, we realized that many people didn’t speak English or even Krio—they spoke their native language.
Business is business, regardless of the language, and forcing people to learn a new language to access education is a barrier to success.
By training local leaders like Alice, one of our dedicated trainers, we’re building a network of educators who can connect with communities on a deeper level.
They speak the native language, understand the culture, and can reach people we can’t. This ensures that the knowledge we share isn’t limited by a language barrier, making our impact truly global and inclusive.
We’re just at the beginning of this journey, and we’ll continue to work with these trainers for many months to come, supporting them in their first training sessions and beyond.
This partnership with Don Bosco isn’t just about teaching skills; it’s about building a sustainable ecosystem of empowerment, one trainer at a time.
Indeed, the future of entrepreneurship in Sierra Leone is bright, and it’s being built by passionate people right here in Freetown.
Find out more about us at Global Impact Innovators.
