AYV News, October 11, 2023
The Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security has today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), for the development of a Volunteering Policy, to guide the processes of volunteerism in Sierra Leone.
VSO is an International Non-profit Development Organization that delivers development impact through a blended volunteer model consisting of International, National, and Community Service, to create lasting change by unlocking the power of people.
It operates in over 20 countries in Africa and Asia and has existed in Sierra Leone for decades.
Moving forward, the MoU will kick-start the development of a policy, which will form the basis for the legal framework for volunteerism in and out of Sierra Leone.
At the MoU signing today, VSO’s Programme Manager, Madam Isha Bangura, noted that the time is right because the issue of volunteerism has long existed without proper structures.
She said that the policy will equally provide legal backing for the National Youth Service, implemented by the Ministry of Youth Affairs.
She expressed delight and optimism about the future of volunteerism in Sierra Leone and assured that they will do their best to support the ministry and partners to see that the policy becomes a reality.
The Minister of Employment, Labour, and Social Security, Mr. Mohamed Rahman Swaray, thanked VSO for opting for the collaboration to tackle the issues of volunteerism in the country.
He noted that volunteerism has been with us long before now, though we are only now formulating a policy around it.
“It has been a long journey, a very long one, but the real job is just starting. I therefore urge all parties involved in the development of the policy to put their best foot forward,” the minister stated.
He noted that the policy will go a long way in promoting the country’s Human Capital Development and also push forward the President’s agenda of creating 500,000 jobs for Sierra Leoneans by 2028.
