Thank you for your continued support of girls' education.  Recently one of the Develop Africa Sierra Leone (DASL) team interviewed Fanta, a young lady taking computer classes at the DASL Computer Lab. Below is the report from the field following Fana's interview-

As a young girl growing up in Sierra Leone, Fanta always dreamed of becoming a nurse. She studied hard and worked tirelessly, determined to make her dream a reality. Her dreams are getting closer and after writing her West African Senior Secondary Certificate Exam (WASSCE), she awaits her results.

Naturally, this waiting period can be boring and monotonous, and she was initially unsure of what to do with her newfound free time. That was when she heard about the computer program offered by us at Develop Africa, on a recommendation by her friend. Despite not having a personal computer at home, Fanta decided to enroll in the program. Through the program, Fanta now has some basic knowledge in Microsoft Word and Excel. She believes that technology will play a significant role in healthcare in the future, and having computer skills would give her an edge. She is determined to make a difference in her community and help people in need.

In an article on digital development on their blog, the world bank bemoaned the status quo. “Only 50 percent of countries in Africa have ‘computer’ skills as part of their school curriculum, compared to 85 percent of countries globally.” Meanwhile, companies in African countries like Sierra Leone have a high demand for digital skills but there is a skills shortage.

Fanta's story is just one of many examples of how Develop Africa's computer program is providing opportunities for young people. By donating to this program, you can help support us to give them the tools they need to build a brighter future for themselves and their communities.  

Together, we can continue to empower girls and young women with education including computer training.  We encourage you to start a monthly recurring donation here.  Even a few dollars a month will go a long way.