A Decade On

Engineers for Change Sierra Leone (EfCSL) is celebrating 10 years in existence.

In May 2011 three engineers – Henry Smith, Laurence Pratt, and Modupe Williams, all resident and based in the UK, organised a meeting to discuss the formation of a Technical Forum.

It was anticipated that the forum would have links with the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Sierra Leone. Its prime aim was to deliver guest lectures emphasising applying their knowledge and experience to professional practice for Sierra Leone.

This led to the formation of ROKEL technical advisory panel (ROTAP).

EfCSL Trustees (Front row: Trudy Morgan, Laurence Pratt, Abubakarr Bah, Maria Whitmore. Back row: Rowland Gordon, Brian da Cal, Modupe Williams, Henry Smith)

The photograph above shows Trustees and members at the Launch Event of the trust at the Institution of Civil Engineers in 2015.

The TRUST registered with the UK Charity Commission in 2015. It currently comprises ten Trustees (eight of whom are responsible for regular management, whilst the other two serve as Specialist Advisors). Profiles of all Trustees and Members can be viewed under the About Us menu.

Over the years, EfCSL has been involved with a variety of activities in the UK and Sierra Leone, which has resulted in the following accomplishments and achievements:

• The signing of Memoranda of Understanding with the institution of civil engineers, faculty of engineering and the University of Sierra Leone, Sierra Leone Institution of Engineers, and Engineers Without Borders.
• Attendance of Sierra Leone Institution of Engineers Biannual Conference in Freetown, including presentation of papers and Continuing Professional Development lectures.
• Donated 100s of engineering books and technical journals to Fourah Bay College Library, Faculty of Engineering Library, Institute of Public Administration and Management Library, Milton Margai Technical College Library, and Sierra Leone Institution Library.
• Donation of lecture room furniture for Faculty of Engineering at Fourah Bay College.
• Donation of software programmes and computer hardware equipment for the mining engineering department for the Faculty of Engineering department, University of Sierra Leone.
• Worked extensively in partnership with the Institution of Civil Engineers UK to reinstate the ICE Country Representative for Sierra Leone.
• Donation of testing equipment for quality control of engineering materials, electronic components and equipment.
• Monetary donation to SLIE to support the Ebola recovery effort.

Partnered with the Sierra Leone Institution of Engineers and Imperial College London in delivering 3 strategic projects funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering (UK), Africa Catalyst programme to upgrade the training and practice of engineering in Sierra Leone and the West African region.

We want to acknowledge and thank the following organisations who have assisted us during our various activities and operations in the UK: Hilton Cobham, Hilton Croydon, Westminster Library, Victoria Library, Holiday Inn at Brent Cross, and Rotary Club, New Malden.

We would also like to thank various members of the public who have also contributed to success of the charity.

We hope that our further involvement and partnerships with Engineering institutions in Sierra Leone will help upgrade the profession and ensure capacity building for the future.

Laurence Pratt Eur Ing
Trust Board Secretary
28^th May 2021