Develop Africa Newsletter -  Computer Literacy among African communities

 

 

It seems like every time you turn around there's newer and better technology...the days of typewriters or home phones on the wall are long gone...but for as common place as technology and it's many devices are in the United States, the reality is there are still many children and young adults in Africa who have not had the opportunity to take computer classes.  

Proficiency in computers is an absolute requirement for success in today's technology-aided society. However, due to financial limitations, many children and youths in Africa have no or limited access to computers or computer learning opportunities. Also,  most decent paying jobs require proficiency in computers and basic office applications. Some job applications are only accepted electronically and require that the applicant have an email address. These stipulations have the effect of "raising the bar" and making even entry-level positions inaccessible for many individuals in Africa.

Develop Africa is working to empower children, youths and adults with computer training.

In response to this growing need, Develop Africa is empowering youths and children to achieve computer literacy skills  by offering basic computing courses. We are tirelessly working to help close the  technology gap that exists in this modern day digital society.

How You Can Help: Your donation of $50 or more today will provide training materials and also sponsor a number of participants. Kindly click the link below to support computer literacy in Africa.

Make a donation - and help make computer training a reality!

 

Computer literacy is increasingly becoming a ticket into the functioning global economy, but billions of people still don't know how to get one. Most of which are Africans. Africa seems to be a lost continent in an Information Technology (IT) world being the least computerized continent in the world.
Read more here...

Freetown Flood Update: Psycho-Social Counseling for Affected Victims

The flood victims lost everything! Their stories are heart-rending. Here are a couple:

 

• "My mother and father are still missing since the flood," said a seven-year-old boy. 

 

• A woman told us "I am the only survivor. My whole family of 6 got affected. I was on my way from the mosque for prayers and saw everything that happened with my own eyes. I want to die too, as there is no reason to be alive after my husband and my five children all perished."

 

Based on this, we have been providing counseling to the survivors/victims and offering psycho-social support.   This counseling includes how to deal with trauma and stress. It also includes encouraging the victims on how to start over again - restoring hope and suggesting new opportunities that they could pursue.  

Group counseling and discussion are essential to their well-being as well as follow-ups. Counseling sessions are provided by a Mental health doctor, nursing sisters, nurses and students from the Medical Students Association.  

 

Video: See support activities at Hill station

How We Plan to Continue To Help:

• Coordinating the needs and concerns of the victims/survivors with necessary partners and institutions in charge.

 

• Provide remedial classes for over 70 kids who are out of school.  This will help ensure that the kids do not fall back / regress with their education

 

• Support children with school supplies, uniforms school fees and help them get re-admitted into the school system

 

• Provide clothing and toiletries

 

• Support mudslide/flooding victims re-integrate back into society by introducing business opportunities. The provision of micro-credit or microfinance capital will help them start up small businesses and sustain their livelihood.

 

• Technical and vocational assistance for dropouts interested in furthering their education. This training will help them re-enter the workforce

 

• Help cover the rental costs of housing for a year for selected families. This will help them leave the camp and re-integrate into society. This is the largest roadblock that the survivors are facing at the moment.

How YOU Can Help:

We, however, will not be able to do this without your help. Could you help the survivors get back on their feet by making a donation of $100 today?  Thank you for joining us in helping them get back on track with their lives.

Donate Your Birthday to Help Change the World!

Did you realize that people will be happy to give to Develop Africa, if you ask them? 

We would like to invite you to donate your birthday or anniversary to Develop Africa. 

It's a great way to make a difference. It's easy - by giving up your birthday/anniversary, you will help change a life! By donating your birthday, you are helping us raise the funds we need to make an impact.   Read more...
 

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With  deep gratitude for your support and partnership, 

Sylvester and the Develop Africa team