Educate a Girl, Educate a Nation - Sierra Leone

Dear project partners. 

Thank you for your ongoing support in educating girls.  

Educated girls become empowered women.  

Below is a quote from the UNICEF Millennium Development Goal that affirms and encourages the great task we have undertaken together: 

"Advancing the rights of women and children advances humanity.  

Many children in developing countries start life without adequate means of nutrition, learning, and protection. Women and girls are particularly challenged.

Uneducated girls are more at risk than boys to become marginalized. They are more vulnerable to exploitation.  They are more likely than educated girls to contract HIV/AIDS, which spreads twice as quickly among uneducated girls than among girls that have even some schooling. 

As unschooled adults, these girls will be less likely to have a say socially and politically and to be able to support themselves."

That is why we are so very appreciative of YOU and the joint opportunity that we have to educate girls in Sierra Leone.  We are together promoting gender equality and empowering women.

Our support is ensuring that they do not drop out of school.  We are providing an educational lifeline and helping them to pursue their dreams.  We are empowering them together and we are so excited about the future of these girls and also the future of Sierra Leone.

In this report, we share a video from Balu. Balu is very thankful for the continued support she has received. The funds we provided helped to cover her fees and school materials.

Your support is a big part of why Balu is going to complete her education and she is truly thankful.  We are so thankful for the opportunity to make a difference in her life!

This Wednesday, March 8 is International Women's Day.  We celebrate the achievements of women globally.  We congratulate all women globally for the wonderful role that you play - at home and at work. Thank you for your service and leadership. We value and honor you.

Matching Donations Opportunity: We have an amazing opportunity to help raise educated girls who will become empowered women.  We invite you to take bold action - to join us in helping to provide scholarships that will empower girls in school. 

Your donation to this project will be matched at 30% on Wednesday - so be sure to join us in making a donation then.

We appreciate YOU!
The Develop Africa Team

Links:

• Balu says "thank you"
• UNICEF Goal: Promote gender equality and empower women

Dear Project Supporters,

Educating girls has a wide array of positive benefits that affect not only the girl receiving her education, but to the entire nation. Statistics say that women make up 2/3 of the illiterate in the world.  

So what difference would it make if all women had a chance to get an education? 

• Female genital mutation avoided
• Decline in infant/children mortality rates
• A child born to a literate mother is 50% more likely to survive past the age of 5
• With each year of schooling, a girl will significantly increase earning potential from 5%-15%
• Women can stand up for their rights
• Less violence
• Health would improve significantly
• Reduced HIV/AIDS Infection rate

Thanks to YOUR support, since the last project report, we together raised $803.74.

Please take a moment to watch a video of Hannah, one of the girls that received a scholarship through your support. Hannah is happily learning and progressing in school. Because of your support, young ladies like Hannah are receiving not only an education, but also a chance for a better future - for themselves and their families.

Thanks so much for helping to give them the opportunity of a brighter future.

With great appreciation,
The Develop Africa Team

Links:

• Video of Hannah in school