Computer Proficiency Creates New Opportunities

Dear project supporters

April 27 was the 50th Anniversary of Sierra Leone's Independence.  To celebrate the day, the ladies were challenged to create different designs in PowerPoint commemorating the day. 

The ladies enjoyed the exercise and - as you can see from the photos they expressed their creativity and had fun in the process. The colorful slides reflected the colors of the national flag of Sierra Leone - green, white and blue.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office and PowerPoint are top in-demand job skills according to research.  This is relevant not just in the US, but also in Sierra Leone. Consequently, it is no surprise that the training that we are offering is in demand and highly appreciated.  Together we are helping to provide the needed skills for success in today's society.  

Your support helps to cover staff salaries and lab running costs so we can continue to offer this in-demand job skills training to deserving youths. 

Save The Date - Matching Donation Opportunity: On Wednesday, July 12 donations will be matched a 50%, from 9:00 am EDT, with $110,000 in matching funds available. We appreciate your on-going assistance as we empower youths and raise a savvy, equipped generation

With deep appreciation
The Develop Africa Team

Links:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and PowerPoint are top in-demand

Dear project supporters,

Thank you so much for faithfully supporting this project over the past 7 years or so. 

When this project was launched, the focus was to support and share impact stories from the computer training at the FAWE all-girls school in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Over the years, we have provided basic computer training to hundreds of girls at this school. This was possible because of YOUR faithful support.

A few years ago, we also launched a second project here on GlobalGiving with the goal of supporting the computer training of youths / young adults. In the last month, we decided to phase out this second computer project and broaden the focus of this initial project to include computer training in general. Basically, we combined the two projects. This change makes sense as the projects focused on the same theme.  Additionally, this will allow us to reduce the time spent on reporting.

For this project, here is a summary of the changes
1.  The project title has changed.
2.  We will now include updates on other computer training - for instance, training taking place at the Creating Pathway's Centre (not just the FAWE computer lab). 

Since the last report, this project has raised $100.  Over the past 2-3 months, at the FAWE School, your funds helped to replace a faulty circuit breaker box. Your support is also helping to provide additional coaching to Ms. Conteh (the FAWE computer teacher). She is receiving on-going training from Johanese at the Creating Pathways Centre - see photos. You can see a clip of her and the kids in this video.

At the Creating Pathways Centre, your donations also helped purchase an anti-virus program to ensure the computers were safe from virus attacks that could disrupt training.  See photos. 

We were also thrilled to host Alix Halloran, the GlobalGiving Field Traveler in Sierra Leone, on March 22. GlobalGiving sends representatives to visit project partners so they can observe how funds are being used to benefit local communities. This helps GlobalGiving ensure high-quality projects. Alix visited the computer lab at the FAWE School and several of our other projects.

In Alix's post-visit report, she provided the following feedback:

"Develop Africa's projects are creating lasting change in the lives of so many children and young women. They are passionate about making an impact in their communities."

We are super-excited to be partnering with GlobalGiving.  Your support as a donor is helping us make a definite impact.

Immediate 50% one-time match: Currently, donations to this project (and all of our other projects) are being matched at 50% from now till Friday, April 7th, or until funds run out.  This is a great opportunity to make your support go even further.  Thanks for helping us empower more lives in Africa.

With appreciation
Sylvester and the Develop Africa Team

Links:

• Watch video - Girls learning at FAWE lab