Educate a Girl, Educate a Nation - Sierra Leone

Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, the Year of the Pencil initiative is already making a powerful difference in classrooms across Freetown. We are honored to share reflections from the Freetown City Council Education Department, which recently provided a formal letter recognizing the campaign’s impact and alignment with citywide education priorities.

According to the City Council, the Year of the Pencil strongly supports their focus on improving access, retention, and quality of learning in public schools, especially at the foundational level. By ensuring that children have basic writing tools, the campaign removes one of the simplest yet most significant barriers to learning—lack of materials. This practical support advances inclusive education and helps ensure that no child is left behind simply because they do not have a pencil.

During distribution, City Council officials observed high levels of excitement and relief among students and teachers. Many children immediately began using their pencils, proudly holding them as valued learning tools. Teachers shared that the distributions reduced daily classroom challenges such as borrowing and sharing pencils, allowing lessons to flow more smoothly and increasing time spent on instruction.

The City Council also emphasized how access to basic tools directly improves student confidence, participation, and learning readiness, particularly for younger learners. When children arrive prepared, teachers can focus on teaching rather than managing shortages. In urban public schools where many families face financial hardship, these foundational resources help level the playing field and strengthen the overall learning environment.

Immediate outcomes reported by head teachers and education officers included:

• Improved student engagement and writing activity

• Smoother lesson delivery

• Reduced classroom disruptions

• Increased enthusiasm for school

Mr. Collins P., Deputy Education Officer at Freetown City Council, shared a message to our community of supporters:

"Your support demonstrates that even modest, well-targeted investments can create meaningful change. The impact of this campaign goes beyond pencils—it restores confidence, promotes inclusion, and reinforces the value of education for children in Freetown. Your partnership is helping to build a stronger foundation for learning and for the future of our city."

Thank you for standing with us and with the children of Sierra Leone. Together, we are building brighter futures—one pencil at a time.

With appreciation,

Amy & The Develop Africa Team

Links:

• Educate Girls to become Empowered Women
• Developafrica.org/Freetown City Council

Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, girls like Sunkarie are receiving the education they need to build brighter, more empowered futures.

Sunkarie is a determined young girl living in a rural province in Kabala, in northern Sierra Leone, with her mother and younger brother.  Sunkarie is committed to her education and is currently attending Secondary School.

Sunkarie finds inspiration in her older sister, who now lives with their grandmother in Makeni and is in her first year of medical school. Seeing her sister pursue medicine has strengthened Sunkarie’s own dream of becoming a doctor, a dream shaped by witnessing neighbors and loved ones suffer without access to proper healthcare.

“I want to help sick people in my community and teach others how to stay healthy,” Sunkarie shared.

Because of supporters like you, Sunkarie has been able to remain in school, stay focused, and continue pursuing her dream of becoming a medical doctor. Your support is helping her take real steps toward a future where she can serve others and bring hope to her community.

Investing in girls’ education today means empowering future leaders, caregivers, and changemakers tomorrow.

Thank you for believing in Sunkarie — and in girls like her. Your generosity is not just changing lives; it is shaping the future.

With heartfelt gratitude,
Amy and the Develop Africa Team
GlobalGiving@developafrica.org

Links:

• Educate Girls to become Empowered Women