Workforce Empowerment in Sierra Leone

Develop Africa organized a two-day Early Childhood Education training for teachers in Kamawornie via video call. The training aimed to provide an immersive and practical learning experience. It equipped teachers with the knowledge and strategies to foster meaningful, developmentally appropriate learning for young learners.

Day One: Foundations and Developmental Insights

• The session began with an introduction of the five participating teachers, who shared their teaching backgrounds and experiences. This created a sense of community and set a collaborative tone.

• Teachers completed consent forms and a pre-test to assess their baseline knowledge, enabling facilitators to tailor the sessions to their specific needs.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP):

   • Teachers learned the importance of aligning educational approaches with children’s developmental stages and milestones for ages 3-6.

   • Emphasis was placed on supporting children’s physical, cognitive, social-emotional, and language growth through early play and exploration.

2. Classroom Principles:

   • Building nurturing relationships and creating a positive learning environment.

   • Highlighting the role of play as an essential educational tool.

   • Understanding children’s active engagement and how affirming, respectful environments enhance learning.

Day Two: STEM Education and Practical Application

• The focus shifted to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), with teachers exploring interactive and resourceful ways to engage young learners using local and provided materials.

• A bridge-building activity demonstrated how play-based learning nurtures creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking.

• Teachers practiced applying the engineering design cycle and embraced new strategies for teaching math and literacy through hands-on, culturally relevant experiences. 

The two-day training was a resounding success, providing Kamawornie teachers with practical knowledge and strategies to elevate early childhood education. By fostering hands-on, culturally relevant, and developmentally appropriate practices, the training laid a foundation for creating engaging learning experiences that will benefit children in their critical early years.

A heartfelt thank you to all donors whose generosity made this impactful training possible. Your support is transforming education and empowering communities in Sierra Leone.

For inquiries, please contact us at GlobalGiving@developafrica.org.

With heartfelt appreciation,

Amy & The Develop Africa Team

Links:

• Empower Future Leaders in Sierra Leone

Each month, Develop Africa provides bus fare support to selected students in Sierra Leone. This vocational transportation assistance is a crucial initiative to help students consistently attend college or apprenticeship programs. By easing the burden of transportation costs, the program ensures that students like Musa can focus on their education and pursue their goals without interruption.

Without bus fare support, attending school or apprenticeship programs regularly can become a significant burden for students like Musa, leading to missed classes and academic failure.  In this photo, Musa is at our office - meeting with our program Coordinator, Joseph. 

By providing bus fare support, students can focus on their studies rather than worrying about how they'll get to school each day. This allows them to maximize their learning opportunities and stay committed to their educational and career goals.

We are deeply grateful to donors like you for your generosity and commitment. Your support is making a tangible difference in the lives of students like Musa, empowering them to overcome challenges and pursue their dreams. Thanks to you, they are building brighter futures through education, and we couldn’t do it without your help.

For any inquiries, please reach out to us at GlobalGiving@developafrica.org.

With heartfelt appreciation,
Amy & The Develop Africa Team

PS. Does your employer match donations? Here’s an easy way to find out. Go to https://www.globalgiving.org/matching/

Links:

• Support Workforce Empowerment in Sierra Leone