Accessibility statement

Rhoda Gbla

Sierra Leone, CAHR, Spring 2009

My name is Rhoda Gbla, and I am from Sierra Leone . In 2000-2002 I worked with the Norwegian Refugee Council as Education Trainer for the implementation of the Rapid Response Education Programme (RREP). I supervised and participated in the assessment of areas identified by the NRC for the establishment of the RREP; took part in community sensitisation campaigns on Education and HIV/AIDS; identified, selected and carried out training of teachers; and assisted in developing, monitoring and supervising teachers.

Currently, I work with the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society as the Advocacy Officer - Case Management and Community Sensitisation at the Child Advocacy and Rehabilitation (CAR) Centre, Kambia Branch. I am involved in developing and maintaining an effective system of counselling and case management to monitor and support CAR participants, and to ensure that their families and communities understand their situation and the situation of other war-affected youth. We also support communities through trauma healing, reconciliation and peace building efforts.

We support communities through trauma healing, reconciliation and peace building efforts.

My country was hit by an eleven-year brutal civil conflict that badly affected the people and the country as a whole. 1999 was a terrible time for me, the rebels attacked the capital city, killing people and burning down many houses including mine. Many human rights abuses were committed by the rebels. I am working in a community where there is high prevalence of human rights violation and abuses. There is high illiteracy rate and poverty is rife. Women and children bear the brunt of these problems. There is massive economic decline and the country was rated as the world’s poorest country. Unemployment is a major threat to socio-economic development and is prevalent among the youth.

During my six-month stay in the UK I intend to gain more knowledge on how to work effectively in a difficult and challenging community with high rates of human right abuses and violations. I also intend to acquire knowledge that will help me develop strategies that will help foster development in my country so that Sierra Leone comes out of the pathetic state of poverty.