Educate a Girl, Educate a Nation - Sierra Leone

Dear Project Supporters,  

Beth, a Board Member of Develop Africa, visited Freetown, Sierra Leone, and interviewed Theresa asking her questions about how Develop Africa and computer training have impacted her life. Beth reported-

A friend told Theresa about Develop Africa in 2015. At that time, Sierra Leone was recovering from an Ebola outbreak that disrupted many educational opportunities, especially for girls and young women. Theresa was a beneficiary of the Creating Pathways Center, which focused on assisting girls to continue their educations. Through the Center, Theresa took several computer classes, learning Microsoft software programs.

Like others, Theresa had no experience using a computer before taking classes at Develop Africa. She learned the basics first – the keyboard, mouse, and CPU – then learned Microsoft Office software programs. Theresa was later admitted to college at the University of Makeni (UNMAK) where she is pursuing a degree in public health. Theresa did not have a computer when she arrived at college, but she had the computer skills she had learned at Develop Africa. Fortunately, her roommate had a computer but lacked basic knowledge to use many of the programs. They helped each other. Theresa taught her roommate the Microsoft software programs and was able to use her roommate’s computer for her own assignments.

Theresa spoke of how several of the software programs have been critical to her academic success. She learned the basics for all of these in the Develop Africa classes. Pursuing a degree in public health, Theresa uses Word to write her research papers and PowerPoint for class presentations. She uses Publisher to make posters, critical to communicate public health information, especially using pictures for a population where many lack basic reading skills. Theresa also used Excel recently to analyze data for her dissertation. She imagines what her experience would have been like at the university without the knowledge of these basic software programs.

As she finishes her dissertation and awaits graduation in March 2021, Theresa is currently doing an internship with Develop Africa. She is working as an Assistant Program Officer. In this position, Theresa is mentoring girls and performing other administrative duties. She was eager to give back to Develop Africa and help others as she was helped.

The theme of service was central to my conversation with past Develop Africa students. Just as self-reliance is critical, giving back by helping others as they have been helped is important and demonstrated by these students. Service to others is also key to development activities – those who are fortunate enough to take courses and learn are eager to share their knowledge with others. This has a multiplier effect for donations to Develop Africa. Theresa discussed how service to the community is a core value. Sierra Leone will be fortunate to have Theresa working in public health, continuing to give back to the communities where she will work and serve for years to come.

Theresa has been receiving support since 2015 thanks to YOU! Your support is profoundly changing girls' lives.

If you are not yet a recurring donor, we warmly invite you to consider setting up a recurring donation. Even a few dollars a month will go a long way. Consistent support is the key as this is the best way to ensure ongoing impact.

Please also share this with your contacts and invite them to consider supporting this worthy, ongoing project.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at GlobalGiving@developafrica.org. 

Warm regards,

Amy and the Develop Africa team

Links:

• Start a recurring donation-Educate a Girl, Educate a Nation