Background

For 11 years Sierra Leone was embroiled in one of the most brutal conflicts ever reported. It left the country classified as the second poorest in the world, with unemployment amongst young people estimated at 70%.
After the war, music played its part in rebuilding the country giving a voice to the disenfranchised and, in the 2007 Government elections, a group of musicians called Artists for Peace toured the country promoting peace not violence.

Music has the potential to provide a means of expression for young people and many jobs but;

• Music is not taught in schools.
• There are very few live instruments.
• There is only one music school in the country, and it charges fees.
• There are few studios and costs are high.

And yet, it is said, that 70% of all young people want to make music.

In October 2007, we went on a fact-finding mission to Sierra Leone, where we spoke to some of the leading artists, record labels, DJs, musicians, music schools and youth organisations. We found out what they thought was needed to support young people into music-based opportunities and to support them for the future – see the video .

The WAYout Sierra Leone Project is a result of what was fed back through that consultation.

THE SIERRA LEONE MUSIC PROJECT - AIMS

 

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