One World Link was formed in Leamington and Bo in Sierra Leone in 1981 with the aim of bringing the two communities together and finding out what each can learn from the other.

During the past six months, the link has helped Bo City Council to set up a waste disposal programme, build a new community centre and develop women's and youth groups in the area.

This month three people from Bo arrived in Leamington for the first time, to spend three weeks comparing the issues faced in both districts by councils and community groups, young people and women.

Councillor and teacher Alpha Bah is chairman of the Bo One World Link's youth group.

During the past two weeks he has met young people in schools and youth groups, as well as attending a meeting with youth parliamentary representatives.

He said: "The issues young people face are very similar to those they face in Bo, but we have more constraints over there.

"We are trying to wash people's brain of the negative perception of youth. It's the same here."

Catherine Kamara heads the link's women's group in Bo and is a primary school teacher.

She has spent time in schools across Warwick district and with the Leamington women's group the Soroptomists.

She said: "The schools here have lots of teaching and learning materials which are really good at helping children progress. The materials we have in Bo are really not enough.

"The children here ask me questions about the weather in Bo, the animals, our school uniforms and our food.

"They ask some brilliant questions - I am impressed by them. Our children back home are sometimes shy to talk to teachers."
T
reasurer of the link's Bo group Maada Fobay has attended a Warwick District Council meeting and a North Leamington community forum meeting.

He noticed many similarities in terms of the ways in which people in Warwick district and Bo come together to try to solve community problems.

He said: "I don't think there is much difference - it's just a matter of where we find ourselves.

"The issues are very similar, we are just coming from different points."

Anyone wishing to meet Mr Bah, Ms Kamara and Mr Fobay can attend a summer party at the Dell park in Milverton, which will take place on Sunday from 1.30pm to 7pm.

They will also be giving a presentation of their impressions of the visit at a One World Link event at St Peter's conference centre in Dormer Place, Leamington, on Friday July 3 at 6.30pm.