By Mackie M. Jalloh
With just days to go before one of the most anticipated youth gatherings in Freetown, the excitement in Fourah Bay is unmistakable. Streets buzz with conversations, and young people are already preparing speeches, presentations, and project pitches that could redefine their futures.
On Sunday, September 7, 2025, the historic Laura Dove School on Dan Street will open its doors to hundreds of young residents for the Fourah Bay Youth Forum, an initiative of the Brotherhood Organization. Themed “From Dreams to Action: Youth Shaping Tomorrow,” the event is not just another community meeting—it is being positioned as a launchpad for a generation eager to chart a new course for Sierra Leone’s future.
For weeks, volunteers have been canvassing the community, urging participation from students, market traders, artisans, and unemployed graduates alike. The sense of urgency is clear: many young people in Fourah Bay feel trapped between unemployment and limited opportunities, but this forum offers them a chance to step into leadership roles and build practical skills that can translate into real change.
“This isn’t about speeches that end when the event does,” said one of the youth coordinators during a pre-forum planning session. “We are designing programs that young people can carry back to their homes, schools, and businesses. It’s about creating lasting impact.”
Unlike traditional youth meetings that focus mainly on dialogue, the Fourah Bay Youth Forum promises an interactive, problem-solving format. Participants will rotate through skills workshops on entrepreneurship, digital literacy, and conflict resolution, while also joining mentorship sessions with professionals from education, technology, and the arts.
Special attention is being given to groups that often remain on the margins—young women, differently-abled individuals, and those from vulnerable backgrounds. Organizers have designed inclusive sessions that encourage everyone to share their experiences, break stereotypes, and develop actionable strategies for personal and collective advancement.
Hosting the forum at Laura Dove School carries deep symbolism. For many residents, the school represents resilience and community pride. Its classrooms have shaped generations of Fourah Bay’s children, and now, its halls will serve as incubators for the next wave of leaders.
What has already made this forum remarkable is the level of community buy-in. Local businesses have pledged support, religious leaders are encouraging participation from their congregations, and transport unions are offering discounted rides to ensure no one is left out. Social media campaigns and community radio stations have further amplified the message, transforming the forum into a citywide talking point.
“This is more than a Fourah Bay event,” said a community elder involved in preparations. “It is an example of what happens when young people take ownership and the community rallies behind them.”
The Brotherhood Organization has also revealed plans to launch a Youth Innovation Hub immediately after the forum. This center will serve as a permanent space where young people can access training, mentorship, and resources throughout the year. Its goal is to move beyond one-off events, creating a sustainable ecosystem that nurtures creativity, innovation, and leadership.
Organizers hope that projects initiated during the forum—such as clean-up campaigns, micro-business ventures, and digital start-up ideas—will be incubated and supported through the hub, ensuring continuity and growth.
For the young people of Fourah Bay, this forum represents more than an event on the calendar. It is a signal that they are ready to take ownership of their destiny. At a time when unemployment, social exclusion, and disillusionment often dominate the narrative around Sierra Leone’s youth, the Fourah Bay Youth Forum is rewriting that story.
As the date approaches, anticipation continues to mount. In just a few days, Laura Dove School will echo not only with the voices of young Sierra Leoneans but with the determination of a generation proving that the future is not simply inherited—it is built.
