What difference does education in the life of a girl in Africa? The difference is night and day, success and almost certain failure.  A whole lot!  Based on our research and experiences, here are a few points of note:

1.  Girls that are not educated have a higher level of prostitution, a higher rate of child labor, get married earlier and are more liable to becoming drug addicts.

2.  Girls that are literate / educated are more likely to use their stimulated minds to become entrepreneurs.  

3.  Educated girls are more likely to send their children to school and raise healthier families.

Here are a few important notes about Education:

a)  Education aids countries in harnessing their natural resources - effectively changing their Gross Domestic Product (a general measure of productivity and growth).

b)  Education plays a vital role in the creation of enterprises that provides jobs for people.

c)  Education provides a springboard to employing and using technology to improve the lives of people.

d) The lack of primary education is one of the main obstacles to eradicating poverty and hunger in Africa.  This is a vital foundation and without this many lives end up destitute and frustrated - due to a lack of opportunities.

e) Education opens the doorway to information, transformation, reformation, innovation and actualization of dreams.

Christiana (pictured) is a star pupil in Freetown with tremendous potential.  I had the opportunity to meet her in person during my last trip and I came away thinking - "Here is a brilliant, talented young lady with tremendous potential - who will make an amazing difference as a leader in Sierra Leone." 

Christiana is interviewed in this video on YouTube and she references education as a resource that will help her achieve her dreams of becoming a Banker.  We imagine it will do a whole lot more for her and she is full of potential.

With the above in mind, it's essential that we continue and enhance our efforts at providing a transforming education experience for girls like Christiana.  In 2013 we are diversifying our education offerings and providing more technology and vocational training and mentoring opportunities.  The girls pictured in this report and many more will be able to benefit from diverse training opportunities provided through electronic resources at our computer la - launching early in 2013.

Could you join us in this endeavor by helping to providing scholarships and computer training for Christiana and other girls in her community? Your donation of $30 or more a month will help cover the costs of a full scholarship for Christiana and other girls.  Your support is needed and important because it will help her and other girls like her stay in school - bringing about transformation and opened doors of opportunity.  Knowing that we can count on your $30 or more each month will provide ongoing progress, stability and secure her educational progress. Your recurring donations will be a predictable stream of income, making it easier for us to plan financially.

Right now is a great time to sign up for a recurring donation as during the month of December, GlobalGiving is offering a 100% match on all initial recurring donations up to $100 per donor.  Your recurring donation could also help us win a $500 bonus award! We will send you a special Develop Africa white coffee mug in appreciation!  You have to sign up now in order for your donation to count during this campaign.

Sign up now - start your recurring donation - helping to educate Christiana and many other girls!

Thanks so much for your support
Sylvester and the Develop Africa Team