Where we are working: York, Sierra Leone

R.I.A.N’s initial project will be in support of an alumnus, Olu Tejan Cole, who returned to his country of birth (Sierra Leone) to help rebuild it following a disastrous war. While attending Richmond, Olu participated in Richmond’s Career Apprenticeship and International Field Study Programme in Sierra Leone. While there, Olu worked alongside Ed Bentham, chair of the Atlantic Whale Foundation (AWF), of which Olu later became a trustee. Ed Bentham was formerly a professor at Richmond University and so it follows that R.I.A.N is a product of the university’s continued relationship with Richmond alumnus Olu Cole and former Richmond faculty, Ed Bentham.

Our team is advised by Dr. Sabine Spangenberg, Professor of Economics and Finance and is registered as a part of the Richmond Foundation, charity number 288205. 

Project 1: Animal Husbandry (Food Security)

OVERVIEW

Sierra Leone’s economy and its entire farming infrastructure were destroyed during the civil war. Even though the war ended eight years ago, nothing has been done to get the farms back in operation. R.I.A.N will be collaborating with the AWF in bringing food production back to York, Sierra Leone. AWF is working with nutritionists to monitor the impacts of increased food supply on health.

  

Pigs	£2000 for 20
Chicks	£2000 for 2,000
Tilapia (fish farming)	£2000 for 2,000
Seed Stock	£1000 buys enough seed for entire village supply
Goats	£70 each
Cows	£200 each

Project 2: Preservation of Local Ecology (Reforestation)

OVERVIEW

Loggings, mining, slash and burn, and deforestation for land conversion - such as cattle grazing - have dramatically diminished forested land in Sierra Leone. Ten acres are being cleared in preparation to plant over 10,000 rainforest trees in the Upper Guinea Lowland Forest. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) designated the Upper Guinean forests, which it calls the Guinean moist forests, as one of its Global 200 critical regions for conservation. In conjunction with the AWF’s ‘Plant a Forest’ campaign to plant one million trees, RIAN will be replanting a ‘Richmond Forest’ whilst in Sierra Leone.

Goal	Tree planting
Location	Upper Guinea Lowland Forest
Cost	£1000 for 10,000 fast growing rainforest trees

Project 3: Richmond Creative Arts Center

Overview 

There are very few outlets for creative endeavour in Sierra Leone and such a resource would not only improve quality of life immeasurably but also give youths a means of making a living. Such a centre could be constructed quite cheaply.

A centerpiece of RIAN’s work will be the creation of a Creative Centre through which the energies of local peoples can be focused and harnessed. For many in the world without education, creative endeavour is a route to self expression, personal fulfillment, educational possibilities and maybe even life changing careers and opportunities

Community Center

£3,000

Project 4: Energy Security (Solar Panels)

The homes, hospitals, and streets in York are not like the ones we are familiar with in London. Electricity grids do not exist. Usually, people rely on kerosene lighting. Kerosene is highly dangerous, bad for inhalation, and is expensive. When kerosene is not affordable, the day’s productivity is dictated by the available sunlight.

The United Nations calls this energy insecurity. Sustainable energy sources are essential to a community’s productivity and ability to grow. It contributes to improved education as children can become better students, parents can increase productivity, hospitals can serve patients, and scarce income can be better spent. To sympathize, consider how often you turn on the light or rely on electricity during the day and night.

Solar Panels

£50 for a household £1,000 for street lights