Provide Scholarships to Sierra Leonean Children

Its with joy that I share this poroject report with a link to a Youtube video.  The video includes 2 breif clips from 2 girlsa in Freetown who say 2 things that I would like to highlight

1.  Without the scholarships we are providing together - some of the beneficiaries would not be in school

2.  The support you are providing is deeply appreciated.  Saying thank you once or twice is inadequaite - Thank you a million, million times.

Links:

• 2 Girls Say Thank You Video

Warm Greetings-

The chances are very high that you - the reader of this report - finished a basic level of education.  You probably hold and Associates, Bachelor's, Masters or even a PhD degree or equivalent.  Your education has helped to open up doors of opportunity.  It possibly contributed in one way or the other to helping you securing your current job or level of income.  Education can be very valuable.

Well ... imagine what your life could be like without this education.  Imagine how your lifestyle would be different....  Even further - can you imagine dropping entirely out of school because your family simply is unable to pay the associated school expenses - such as uniforms and the miscellaneous charges levied by the schools.  This is certainly not a desirable situation to be in.

Dropping out of school: Unfortunately this is the situation that Dolly (see photos) found herself in.  Dolly did not attend school for the whole of first term (Fall semester 2011) "due to lack of fees from her grandfather". So she has missed out on her education - except for the training and coaching provided at the after school classes that Develop Africa helps support.  What made it worse is that the family at the start of January still was not in a position to put her back in school - which meant that she would lose the entire academic year!  It saddens me that in this day and age children are still missing opportunities to develop and get a decent education. 

Back in School:  This was brought to Develop Africa's attention.  We were disturbed as no child should be left behind.  As we all know the contributing and empowering value of education, we immediately restored the situation and she is back in school.   Dolly and her family breathed a sign of relief when they heard the news that we were going to support her.  We are so joyful that she is back in school.  You can see the broad smile on Dolly's face as she heads off to school.

Thank You: I just breathed a sigh or relief and gratitude as I typed these words.  Thank you donors for helping to put Dolly back in school.  Together we have helped to restore her and truly raise her up higher.   We have given her the priceless gift of education!

Imagine: Imagine a world where everyone had the opportunity to achieve their dreams and whatever level of education they desired.  Then, imagine a world where you are one of the change agents - helping make this happen.  Just imagine what you would do if nothing was impossible to you and you had all resources available.

Now - let's do this together.  Let's start with what we have.  Let's unite forces.  Share with us your imagination and plans to make this happen.  We would love to hear from you.

Committed to a better world and imagining this daily.

Sylvester