Empowering youth across Sierra Leone

Advancing youth leadership, civic participation, and inclusive development.

YELGI-SL is a youth-centered institution committed to leadership development, civic education, mentorship, entrepreneurship, and governance participation. We work to equip young people with the knowledge, confidence, and practical opportunities needed to contribute meaningfully to national development.

Partner with us Explore our programs
This design direction follows a more institutional and international development style: cleaner structure, calmer use of color, stronger hierarchy, and more credibility for partners, donors, public institutions, and development agencies.

Our vision

A vibrant society where young people are empowered, active in leadership, and contributing meaningfully to governance and sustainable development.

16

districts in Sierra Leone we aim to reach

5,000

youth leadership trainees targeted

1,000

ventures and social projects supported

300

girls to mentor in rural communities

About YELGI-SL

A youth institution focused on leadership, accountability, and community transformation.

The presentation is intentionally more restrained and professional, using a structure closer to international NGO and development-sector websites.

YELGI-SL believes that young people should not only be prepared for the future, but actively involved in shaping it. We help youth build confidence, strengthen leadership capacity, and access meaningful opportunities that connect to their communities and national development.

Our approach combines mentorship, civic education, entrepreneurship training, policy engagement, and innovation support to ensure that empowerment is practical, inclusive, and sustainable.

A

Youth-centered strategy

Programs designed around real local needs, practical barriers, and the lived realities of young people.

B

Community-rooted delivery

Implementation that remains connected to schools, families, local institutions, and grassroots communities.

M

Mission Focus

Developing ethical, skilled, confident, and visionary young leaders who can strengthen governance, promote active citizenship, and contribute meaningfully to sustainable development in Sierra Leone.

Core values
Integrity
Accountability
Inclusion
Empowerment
Innovation
Service
Headquarters

Taylor Street, Calaba Town, Freetown, Sierra Leone

Focus

Youth empowerment, leadership development, governance participation, and civic engagement.

Positioning

Community-rooted, partnership-ready, and institutionally credible.

Our programs

Practical initiatives designed for leadership, livelihood, and civic participation.

Each program area includes a visual banner and a more institutional card system to make the section feel clearer and more credible.

Youth leadership and civic education training Leadership
Program 01

Leadership & Civic Education Bootcamps

Practical learning experiences that build confidence, civic responsibility, and leadership capacity among young people.

Youth entrepreneurship and skills training Enterprise
Program 02

Entrepreneurship & Skills Training

Hands-on training that supports youth with business knowledge, employability skills, and solution-driven thinking.

Youth policy forum and advocacy workshop Advocacy
Program 03

Youth Policy Forums & Advocacy Workshops

Inclusive spaces where young people can engage governance issues and contribute meaningfully to public dialogue.

School mentorship and scholarship support Mentorship
Program 04

School Mentorship & Scholarship Support

Support systems for students through mentorship, encouragement, guidance, and access-building opportunities.

Youth innovation and digital skills lab Innovation
Program 05

Youth Innovation & Digital Skills Labs

Future-facing spaces where youth can develop digital confidence, creativity, and relevant technical skills.

01

From potential to participation

We do not only train young people. We help them step into meaningful roles, active citizenship, and long-term contribution.

02

Skills with purpose

Training becomes more powerful when it is connected to identity, community responsibility, and opportunity.

Founder’s story

A journey shaped by conflict, perseverance, education, and service.

This section is designed with a stronger institutional balance so the highlight narrative and supporting story feel more editorial and composed.

Patrick Tamba Tengbeh

From a refugee camp to founding a youth leadership initiative.

Patrick was born in a refugee camp in Guinea during the Sierra Leone civil war. His early life was shaped by displacement, instability, and limited access to opportunity — experiences that formed his deep commitment to governance, leadership, and youth development.

  • Experienced firsthand how conflict, poor governance, and instability affect youth and communities.
  • Remained committed to education and personal growth despite difficult beginnings.
  • Built academic and professional interest in governance, leadership, policy, and development.
  • Founded YELGI-SL to empower young people to lead, participate, and shape society positively.

Through perseverance and commitment, Patrick continued his academic journey and developed a strong interest in governance, leadership, and public policy.

Today, he holds a Master’s degree in Governance and is pursuing advanced studies in International Organizations and Legislative Affairs, focusing on how institutions, policies, and democratic systems can improve people’s lives.

Throughout his journey, he has also worked with organizations supporting migrants and vulnerable communities, gaining practical experience in advocacy, community engagement, and social development.

These academic and professional experiences inspired him to establish YELGI-SL with a clear vision of creating opportunities for young people to develop leadership skills, participate in governance processes, and contribute meaningfully to national development.

Patrick believes that the future of Sierra Leone lies in the hands of its young people. By investing in youth leadership, education, and civic engagement, YELGI-SL seeks to transform challenges into opportunities and empower young people to become agents of positive change.

“

Every young person, regardless of their background, has the potential to lead and make a difference.

Impact goals

Growing with intention, inclusion, and measurable progress.

  • Train 5,000 youth in civic leadership
  • Support 1,000 youth-led businesses and social projects
  • Establish 3 Youth Innovation Labs
  • Mentor 300 school-age girls in rural communities
  • Advocate for 2 youth-friendly policy reforms
“

When young people are equipped, communities become stronger.

Youth empowerment is not only about opportunity. It is about dignity, voice, representation, and the ability to help shape a more accountable and inclusive society.

At YELGI-SL, we believe real change happens when leadership is nurtured early, skills are connected to opportunity, and young people are trusted as active contributors to national progress.

Partnerships

We want to build this work with people and institutions that care deeply about youth.

YELGI-SL welcomes collaboration with NGOs, schools, development agencies, private sector partners, mentors, and public institutions that believe stronger youth participation can transform communities.

NGO Partnerships Mentorship Training Support Community Programs Policy Engagement
Institutional presence

Built to feel established, reliable, and ready for partners, donors, and institutions.

This website now uses a clearer institutional layout, more restrained styling, stronger typography, and a presentation style closer to international development organizations.

C

Clear brand presence

The official YELGI-SL logo remains central to the brand while the interface uses a more credible NGO-style visual system.

Ready to support youth transformation in Sierra Leone? Contact YELGI-SL