Support Girls Leadership Mentoring & Training

Juliana Thambie Sesay, Develop Africa’s Leadership mentee and the Coordinator of the Girls Leadership Mentoring program in Freetown, Sierra Leone paid a visit to Develop Africa / FAWE  computer lab in Freetown. She had an opportunity to meet the girls and share a word of motivation with them.

On Juliana arrival at the FAWE School, Juliana was first taken to the Principal's office to be introduced. Mrs. Jojo, the Principal, made a brief welcome statement and offered her thanks and appreciation to Develop Africa for the smooth running of the computer lab and tutoring program. She expressed how grateful she was to Develop Africa for its computer lab and tutoring operations at her school, noting that computer lab is a rare facility in government schools.

Juliana visited a classroom of Class Six pupils. After a brief introduction, the children gave her a warm welcome. She then encouraged them to continue to excel with their computer tutoring lessons.  Juliana encouraged the girls to make the most of this opportunity, challenging them and telling them that they never know what some of them might become through the tutoring skills they have acquired, if they put what they have learnt into good use.

Juliana visited the lab and observed that some of the children had already been tutored on certain math and basic language skills and were making progress.  Juliana conducted a tour of the class and observed the students involved in the tutoring program.  She proceeded to the back of the class and some of the girls moved to the front of the class to demonstrate what they have learnt. She then did her rounds and visited each of the girls engaged in the computer tutoring program to see whether they are in line with what their friends and other students were doing. At the end of the class/ tutoring session, group photos were taken with the children and they bade her farewell.

Here’s an excerpt of what Juliana’s reflection on a Social Media Network site about her visit to the Develop Africa/FAWE lab as a leadership mentee and Coordinator of the program.

Visit to the Develop Africa computer lab at FAWE. – “This visit took me back to memory lane. I remembered way back in primary school when we use to have visitors in our school, we look at them with so much respect and admiration and some of us were determined to be like them. When I see the look in these children’s' eyes I realized I have so much to thank God for. I may not be rich, may not be where I wanna be in life but yeah I have made progress. Thank you Aunty Jasmine for this opportunity.”

We are so grateful to YOU our donors and supporters for your on-going support that make it possible for us to provide this on-going training. 

Thanks so much for all you do!

In just over a month, YOU have the opportunity to have your donation matched at 30% on Wednesday, May 7th.

• 30% matching
• Donations up to $1,000 matched
• Matching begins at 9:00 am (EST) 

Please add this to your calendar and JOIN US raising a new generation of leaders!

We are delighted to report that Develop Africa’s Girls Leadership mentoring program has witnessed a very successful year with mentorship training, workshops and leadership activities. A core component of the Girls Leadership Mentoring program is a practical leadership field experience titled “Leadership and Creativity Field work”, undergone by each mentee. Each year the mentees will undergo a practicum field work on leadership and creativity.

This year from June- October, 2013 the mentees undertook a practical leadership and creative field work project in Freetown, Sierra Leone. This field work project is a required mandatory part of their mentoring program.  This activity gives each mentee the opportunity to put into practical use their leadership knowledge and skills.  Mentees were asked to complete their field work on the three components of Leadership: namely Spiritual Leadership, Health Leadership and Community Leadership.  They were also a required to write a reflection paper of two to three pages summarizing their field work experience.

The mentees were excited about the opportunity and eagerly undertook this activity.  Several mentees undertook leadership field work in non-profit / community based organizations, such as Youth for Christ, in after school programs at Door of Hope and in local schools. They performed volunteer activities for these organizations for a minimum of 10 hours and put their skills of creative leadership to work.  

Dr. Jasmine Renner, the lead mentor frequently checked on their and from time to time provided guidance, assistance and clarification when required. Several excellent reports emerged as a result of this practical field exercise.  Mentees were activity engaged in giving back to their communities. In October, 2013, the mentees submitted their final required field work write-up and it was reviewed and judged by a panel of individuals in the US. In December, 2013, an announcement was made about the results of their Leadership and Creativity fieldwork with three mentees emerging as to the top awardees of the Leadership and Creativity award.  The following were selected to be awarded the "2013 Creativity and Leadership Award."

1st place - Christiana 2nd Place - Juliana and Angella. There was a tie between the two mentees. We like to congratulate these three finalists for a job well done.  They will all receive a leadership plaque award and gift prizes, in 2014 during a short ceremony to be held in Freetown, Sierra.

All three of their final submissions will be turned into a mini display book and shared with the other mentees so they can see their exemplary field work in Leadership. 

Thank you sponsors for helping to make this possible and for investing in the lives of our upcoming leaders.

Great Time to Give:  We are so grateful for your previous support that has helped us touch many lives like these 3 budding leaders.  We wanted to let you know of the great opportunity that GlobalGiving is offering right now.  

From now through December 31st, GlobalGiving will be offering a one-time 100% match on all new recurring donations up to $200 per donor! To qualify for the match, you must give at least four consecutive months. 

In appreciation for your support, we will be featuring a list of all new recurring donors on our website.  We will also send to you a free Develop Africa coffee mug or T-shirt (you decide which one).   

Please sign up now - as this offer expires at the end of the year.  This would help us support many more kids that are on our waiting list.  Thank you for giving the priceless gift of education!
 

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