Currently, there are 85 students attending computer classes at the Develop Africa Sierra Leone (DASL) Computer Lab. There will also be two more classes added in the next month for Hardware and Networking and for the Microsoft Office package. The students are at varying levels in their computer training, which includes Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft Access, and Microsoft PowerPoint.

The Develop Africa Sierra Leone team visited the Services Secondary School and distributed science lab supplies for the students. In Africa, most especially in Sierra Leone, science students have been challenged with a lack of proper laboratory equipment in carrying out practicals and experiments.

During the distribution, the Program’s manager, Abu, told the pupils to put the equipment to good use and make sure not to allow the challenge of life to stop them dream big. He said-

One of the major struggles for school-going students in Sierra Leone is studying at home. Some lack literate adults to guide them in studying, and some lack the materials or the study-friendly atmosphere. Some students live in less privileged homes and communities and have no proper place to study and do their homework. Sometimes these students will sit on the floor or on rocks outside the home, but this is not an effective way to study. 

The March girls' mentoring session covered the topic of adolescence and relationships. Thirty-two young ladies between the ages of 10-20 years old in Freetown attended the mentoring session.   The goal of the mentoring session was to discuss adolescence, reproduction, and relationships.  Each girl received a Growth and Changes Booklet, sanitary pads, toothpaste, soap, and vaseline.  Transportation and lunch were also provided to the girls. 

Thank you for your support towards empowering and educating girls in Africa, like Marian.  Marian is truly thankful for the support she is receiving. She tells us in her video-

The second boys’ mentoring program was held in February at the Develop Africa Sierra Leone (DASL) Computer Lab.   A total number of 25 boys attended this session. Watches were distributed among mentees as a take-home package and transportation, food, and drinks were also provided to the boys.

The topic of this session was time management because it became apparent that it was a needed tool at the previous mentoring session as mentees arrived late due to morning errands and poor time planning.

The speaker asked the attendees:

The students and principal in Kamawornie village express their gratitude to Develop Africa for their support with the extra classes organized for the children after school.   These afterschool classes do not cost the families anything thanks to generous donors like YOU.  

The principal expressed his sincere gratitude for the afterschool classes in this video-

International Women's Day is celebrated on March 8th each year.  International Women's Day celebrates women and this year UN says "This International Women's Day, let's claim 'Gender Equality today for a sustainable tomorrow'."

The Develop Africa Sierra Leone (DASL) computer lab currently has 72 students taking classes.  There are 3 different batches of students at various levels in their computer training, which include Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft Access, and Microsoft PowerPoint. Classes are set up so that everyone has access to their own computer and are available at varying times and days depending on the group each student is in.