Background:
Sierra Leone faces challenges in providing practical STEM education due to limited resources, especially in science labs. To address this, DEXT Technology Limited, in partnership with Develop Africa and donors, organized a five-day training program at DEXT headquarters in Kumasi, Ghana. The training aimed to equip Sierra Leonean STEM teachers with practical knowledge of using DEXT Science Kits to enhance science education in schools.

Objectives:

The Karene District Education Office conducted a three-day training workshop from May 8-10, 2024, at Kamawonie Pre School, Sella Limba Chiefdom, Karene District. This training targeted preschool educators, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to engage young children (ages 3-5) in play-based learning using locally available, low-cost resources. This training was made possible by the generous support of Ubuntu For Humanity.

Through the generous support of donors, Develop Africa has been instrumental in providing critical resources and opportunities to empower women in Sierra Leone. One such individual whose life has been positively impacted is Salamatu, a single-parent mother and proud beneficiary of Develop Africa's programs. Salamatu's journey is a testament to the power of education and support in empowering women to overcome barriers and pursue their dreams. 

Your generous support helps provide microfinance loans, which empower small businesses like Fatmata's. The goal of interest-free microfinance loans is to provide parents/guardians with the ability to support their families. 

Mentoring sessions empower future leaders with the skills and knowledge they need to be successful.  Mentoring shows mentees the art of the possible, takes the limitations off their thinking, and opens their eyes to the exceptional future that could lie ahead of each of them. 

Your generous support helps provide microfinance loans, which empower small businesses like Aminata's. The goal of interest-free microfinance loans is to provide parents/guardians with the ability to support their families. 

In the heart of Sierra Leone, a story of resilience and compassion unfolds at the Develop Africa Sierra Leone Office.  At the center of it all stands Theresa, whose journey from beneficiary to benefactor exemplifies the transformative power of support and education. 

Theresa learned about Develop Africa in 2015 when she became pregnant during the Ebola Outbreak.  Girls who were visibly pregnant were not allowed to go back to school.  To help with this, Develop Africa opened the Creating Pathways Centre, which was set up to help girls like Theresa.

Thanks to your generous support, Sahr, a talented artist in Freetown, received high-quality paint supplies that are difficult to find or purchase in Sierra Leone. Sahr is full of potential and loves to create artwork on canvas, and your donation of quality supplies has enabled him to continue pursuing his passion for painting.

As we celebrate International Women's Day, we reflect on some of the girls and women who have been empowered by your generous support with computer training, vocational training, and microfinance loans for small businesses in Sierra Leone.

We invite you to watch this video that shares stories of how your support has empowered these beneficiaries 

Investing in young women’s economic empowerment and skills development is one of the most urgent and effective means to drive progress on gender equality, poverty eradication, and inclusive economic growth- UN Women.