Sierra Leonean youths creating jobs for themselves

Sierra Leonean youths are creating jobs for themselves with the growing awareness of the limited job opportunities in the country.  " I am 23 years old. I have been washing cars for 1 year 11 months. I am happy because I am earning an honest income. I don't have money to further my education but at least I can take care of my basic needs. I charge between le 15,000 to le 20,000 depending on the size of the vehicle. I charge more for bigger vehicles. I am never shot of customers.  At least one or more will come in a day. The job is so very much fulfilling and give me so much satisfaction within. I look forward to it everyday. I hope to establish my own car wash centre one day. Thanks to you."

Ebola outbreak boosts bitter kola sales

Following reports that the local fruit bitter kola is on a clinical trial in a USA laboratory to cure the deadly Ebola virus, there has been a boost in the sales of bitter kola. This retailer is using the good news to woo customers from all ages and all walks of life in Sierra Leone where the virus has killed over a hundred people. "I sell bitter kola. It cures Ebola. You know the disease kills. Prevention is better than cure. If you buy my bitter kola you wont even contract the virus. I am not happy about the disease because it is a killer but I am pleased that the sales of my bitter kola has gone up. The price has also shot up from le 200 to le 500. I love doing retail business because I meet a lot of people and I laugh a lot. We the retailers did not put the price up. Its came from the wholesalers. I pray that God free our region from this disease even though it has boost sales of my bitter kola. Hehehe. Thank you.  Kikiki"

Sierra Leone: Water crisis is a big issue for many residents

"Please don't bother me with many questions. I am carrying water home for the family. We have been without water for days now even though this is the rainy season. Thank you"

Lungi teenager drains chicken fat to eat garri

Sometimes life can be really hard for some people. This teenager  from Lungi in Sierra Leone and who prefers not to have his face shown is draining fat from chicken which he uses to eat garri (gratered cassava).

"I am draining this fat to eat with my garri because I cant afford to buy cooking oil. I dont go to school. I have never been to school. Well even if its not healthy for me it is what I have for now. Life is not always going to be positive. Well I have nothing to do now but sometimes I do work for people and get paid. I carry their load for them from the bus stop to their houses and sometimes help them do some house work like laundry and washing dishes. Sometimes I do work for cookery shops and get paid. Well I hope things will get better for me one. One must never say never, isn't it. Thank you"

Building Construction Labourers carrying granites at a site in Sierra Leone

At a construction site in Sierra Leone

"I have been doing this job for like three years now. This job is hard job and the pay is not too good and sometimes we get really sick as a result of the hard job. As you can see now we are carrying granites for the building work. You can also see how tedious this is. Well if we get accident at work we have to take care of ourselves except if we are lucky to get a good contractor, he will pay our hospital bill and incur every other cost. It is always a good time when we have a big construction or site work because the size of the job will determine the amount of money we earn; the bigger the job, the higher the pay. Well my aim is to earn huge sum and start a family and give my children the quality of life I never had. Thank you very much"

Young men offloading a truck filled with building blocks at Bathurst Village, Sierra Leone

Young men offloading a truck filled with building blocks at the Western Peninsular village of Bathurst are sceptical about their future.

Offloading a truck filled with building blocks

"This job is not much about how pleased we are or how unhappy we are but the fact that we are able to do something that earns us money even though its not that easy. There is nothing sweet about our job. However, we get excited sometimes when we work for people who give us tips apart from our pay because as you know its not an easy ride for us. Well some of us would like to find another job elsewhere even though it is difficult to find one. I will continue staying in this job maybe one day things will get better. I can't rule out the possibility of a better day to come. Thank you"

Granite Breaking: a popular trade at the Western Area Peninsular of Sierra Leone

Granite Breaking is a very popular trade among young people of the Freetown Peninsular communities. With the housing boom taking place in that part of the Western area, it is common to see people of different ages involving in the trade.

Youths Breaking Granites at the Freetown Peninsular

 "Granite breaking is quite a difficult job but this is what we have for now. It involves a lot of body work and sometimes left us with severe body aches and scarred hands. Sometimes our families join us in the work and the most exciting moment is when buyers buy in large quantity for a good price; higher than the normal selling price. This we normally achieved after intense negotiations. Otherwise we don't gain much for the amount of energy and time we put into it. But on the whole we are pleased we have something to do and we are looking forward to a brighter future. Thank you"