AAPDEP Initiates Community Fishing Project in Oloshoro, Sierra Leone

The All African People's Development and Empowerment Project (AAPDEP) is engaged in several development projects in Sierra Leone, a West African country that despite its immense mineral wealth has consistently been ranked at the bottom of the UN's Human Development Index due to the low standard of living of its people. Sierra Leone has the highest infant and maternal mortality rates in the world, only 22% have access to clean water, and the life expectancy is a mere 39 years.

From subsistence fishing to economic development in Oloshoro

In the coastal village of Oloshoro in the country's capital, Freetown, AAPDEP is working with local fisherman to develop a community owned and operated commercial fishing enterprise that will help to supply an inexpensive source of protein to local residents, provide a sustainable source of income for local youth and women, and will be used to fund other development projects such as the building of schools and community sanitation facilities.

"The fishing project will provide employment for our youths and generate resources that can be used for basic social and economic development...It will help to solve the problems of women and children and the elderly."

- Mr. Bai Turray, Chairman
Oloshoro Community

About Oloshoro

A community of over 2000 people, Oloshoro is located on the western coast of Sierra Leone in the country's capital, Freetown. Established in the early 1980's by Africans from the rural interior looking for employment in the city, Oloshoro was later expanded by families who relocated there after having been displaced during the Sierra Leone civil war.

Like most of the country, Oloshoro lacks basic services and infrastructure. There is no electrical grid, poor sanitation, residents have very little access to clean drinking water, and there is no medical facility. Though some of the people of Oloshoro are skilled agriculturalists, engineers, health care professionals and craftsmen, about 90% of the community is unemployed and must live on less than $1 a day.

Project organizers are seeking donations of new or good-conditioned-used 50 HP outboard motors. Donations are tax decuctible and those interested can learn more by contacting AAPDEP:

http://www.DevelopmentForAfrica.org
info [at] developmentforafrica.org
(256) 489-8715
PO Box 454, Normal, AL 35762 (USA)

About AAPDEP

The All African People's Development & Empowerment Project (AAPDEP) is an African-led US-based organization that has been established to engage in development projects that improve the standard of living in impoverished African communities throughout the world.

Our activities include, but are not limited to, the construction of ecological sanitation facilities, rainwater harvesting, community electrification through renewable energy technologies, well-building, farming, community health workers training and community economic development.

AAPDEP is unique in that we work to empower African people to be active participants in the development of their communities. All of our projects have a strong community education component designed to equip African people with the skills necessary to implement, maintain and duplicate any of the programs we develop.