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Communities in Sierra Leone: Finding Hope After Conflict
1. Communities in Sierra Leone:
Finding Hope After Conflict
WHITNEY MCINTYRE MILLER
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SOCIETY
JULY 27, 2009
2. Purpose of Presentation
Demonstrate how communities in the northern
region of Sierra Leone are finding hope and
beginning to reemerge from an extended, disastrous
period in its history through an examination of
agentive, cultural, and structural key factors.
3. Data Collection
Five-week fieldwork in Sierra Leone (Lungi and
Makeni communities)
In-depth qualitative interviews with 14
individuals in each community (based on
purposeful demographic sampling)
Participant Observation
Informal conversations and meetings
4. STATSTICS:
Republic of Sierra Leone
President: Ernest Koroma (2007)
Land area: 27,653 sq mi (71,621 sq
km); total area: 27,699 sq mi
(71,740 sq km)
Population (2007 est.): 6,144,562
(growth rate: 2.3%); birth rate:
45.4/1000; infant mortality rate:
158.3/1000; life expectancy: 40.6;
density per sq mi: 222
Languages: English (official),
Mende (southern vernacular),
Temne (northern vernacular), Krio
(lingua franca)
Ethnicity/race: 20 native African
tribes 90% (Temne 30%, Mende
30%, other 30%); Creole (Krio)
10%; refugees from Liberia's recent
civil war, small numbers of
Europeans, Lebanese, Pakistanis,
and Indians
Religions: Islam 60%, indigenous
30%, Christian 10%
Literacy rate: 35.1% (2004 est.)
Economic summary: GDP/PPP
(2007 est.): $3.971 billion; per
capita $700.
5. The Roots of the Conflict in Sierra Leone
Roots of Conflict in Sierra Leone
Control of resources- diamonds
Issues of power in local and national government
Disenchanted youth
6. Overview of Conflict
Attacks on communities
Fleeing of people
Burning and looting of houses
Amputations
Involvement from international community
Push of rebels into the north
Formal peace agreement and cessation of violence
Community building postconflict
7. Research Findings Organization
‘Mediational System’ of Reflexivity (Datnow,
Hubbard, and Mehan, 2002)
Agentive Factors Culture
Individual’s Actions
Cultural Factors
Traditions and Practices
Structural Factors
Social Constructs
Structure Agency
8. Agentive Factors for Hope
Traditional Leadership (Chief Structure)
Community Leaders
District Governmental Leadership
National Governmental Leadership
Women (Makeni only)
9. Cultural Factors for Hope
Agriculture/Farming Practices
Business Partnerships
Community Meeting Spaces
Community Groups and
Informal Associations
Sports
Traditional Ceremonies
Traditional Societies
Avoidance of Community Disputes
10. Structural Factors for Hope
Army and Police
Construction
Education (including skills training)
Infrastructure
International Assistance
Jobs
Local NGOs
Mass Media (Makeni only)
Religious Assistance
11. Lessons For Other Communities
Involve local and traditional leaders and citizens in
rebuilding physical and social capital
Encourage informal and formal community groups,
cooperatives, and organizations to work together
Tap into traditional norms, activities, and events that
bring people together
Meet educational needs for the community’s future
12. Future Research
Wider net of communities in northern region of Sierra
Leone
Comparison with communities in eastern and southern
regions of Sierra Leone
Comparison with other postconflict communities
around the world
13. Contact Information
Whitney McIntyre Miller
whitneymcintyremiller@hotmail.com
619-829-4141