Improving English Language Proficiency in Sierra Leone, an intervention by Br Philemon Sesay

JOSEPH’S PRESS CLUB

Motto: We inform, we inspire.

We have recently officially unveiled our Press Club in the school. The lack of English Language proficiency among students negatively impacts not only their internal examination results, but also the West Africa Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE). Low achievement in English has created significant challenges in many schools including here at St Joseph’s, Blama. The formation of this Club is one of my interventions on how to tackle not just the above problem, but other contemporary challenges for our students. The main aim of this Club is to educate and empower their English Language, journalism and communication skills. This Club provides a platform for its members and other students to practise and learn how to write and share news and stories about the universe and themselves, conduct interviews, building confidence in public speaking by expressing their thoughts confidently. Additionally, it enhances writing poetry, encourages teamwork, social responsibility and creates challenge. The Club teaches critical thinking through various activities like workshops, drama, talent shows and peer discussion. It will serve as a space for training future leaders by helping students to develop essential skills for academic and personal growth. Badges were awarded to each member as official recognition. We are happy to share with Presence readers some examples of their writing skills.

Brother Philemon Sesay, Blama Community

Poem: CHILD ON TOP OF A MOUNTAIN

By Noah Kamara

The wind blew the stories under my feet.

My feet cracked the earth and mud.

The half-grown grass started up like accuser.

Up through the stories flashed with sunlight.

A flew white clouds rushed eastward.

A flocked of birds tossed and streaked across the sky.

And everyone, everyone pointed and shouted.

An Informative Presentation on Teenage Pregnancy:

According to Sierra Leone, a person is only regarded as an adult when she or he reaches age 18. Therefore, Teenage Pregnancy is the act of being pregnant below age 18. This can lead to serious negative effects which include:

• School dropout: Teenage mothers are very less likely to finish secondary education or further studies.
• Health hazards: Complicated pregnancies in some teenage girls here in Sierra Leone have led to miscarriages, stillbirths, developing anaemia, and eventually death.
• Stigma: Teenage mothers are often laughed at, ostracised and mocked at by their peers. As a head girl and vice president of the Press Club. I am advocating for the use of preventive measures for teenage pregnancy to stop. Even though the press club members are trying their best, yet we are facing some challenges. We shall be grateful to have sponsors from any part of the world. We strongly believe that with the help and support of Br. Philemon who has done extremely well for us, we will put measures in place, like sensitization on Abstinence, Parental involvement and some Youth Development Programmes to minimize it in Blama-Southeast, Sierra Leone.

By Sia Tongie

CHILD EXPLOITATION.

It is when an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to force, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under age 18 into criminal, sexual, violent or trafficking.

 Here are some effects of child exploitation.

1. Low self-esteem
2. Disrupted attachments with those who are meant to keep them safe.
3. Mental health disorder such as traumatic stress, anxiety and depression.
4. Self-harming
5. It promotes school dropouts and child prostitution.
6. And finally, child exploitation leads to the taking of drug and alcohol abuse and a high-risk of sexual behaviour.

By Issa Bangura

Presentation on the negative effects of the abuse/misuse of Tramadol among youths in Blama-Southeast, Sierra Leone.

TRAMADOL: Tramadol is a prescribed medication use to treat moderate or severe pain. But when taken without doctor’s advice, it can cause us to develop physical violence, depression, attitude like sleeping in class, sleeping with girls, fighting in home and school, stealing and insulting others. It makes to experience serious brain and slowed breathing that can also lead us to death. Evidences have shown that, when abused, we start experiencing issues related to opioid analgesic such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting, constipation and respiratory depression. So, my fellow students let us stop taking Tramadol if not directed by a doctor. Our wise word for today is: BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE.” By Mahatma. Ghandi.

By John Massaquoi

Senior Prefect school and Press Club Public Relations Officer for the St Joseph’s Press Club.