This week, East Tennessee lost one of its own. Dolly Parton passed away on August 25, 2026, at 80, after a brief battle with cancer — surrounded by loved ones in Nashville, less than two hours from our office here in Johnson City.
Education is a solid foundation for a country's development across various industries. Tragically, for African states, education has not been the pillar for transformation. Because of this, the regions have consistently remained at the tail end of the Industrial Revolution.
According to a report by Irish Aid and UNICEF, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (UNICEF Report, 2019), more than half of 15-year-olds (57%) in Sierra Leone are illiterate, and half of primary school graduates are unable to read or write. Only 61% of primary school teachers are trained, with an even lower rate in rural areas.
A tricky question and one with no easy answers. Non-governmental organizations and their international counterparts have played significant roles in bridging the gaps in areas where governments have been lax.
If you think about poverty eradication movements, clean energy, environmental challenges, education systems, and even governance itself, these organizations have their prints all over with positive outcomes in the end. In other words, no nation can work without some of these organizations.
Education is the cornerstone of development, yet in many regions, systemic challenges hinder students from reaching their full potential. In Sierra Leone, where the education system faces structural weaknesses, extra classes have become an essential tool for ensuring academic success. These supplementary lessons not only provide additional support but also equip students with the resources they need to thrive in an increasingly competitive world.
Across Africa, countless children wake up each day with a dream—to learn, to grow, and to build a better tomorrow. Yet for many, the lack of basic school supplies, safe classrooms, or access to technology places these dreams out of reach.
Imagine sitting in a classroom with no pencils, paper or textbooks. This scenario is the reality for thousands of children in Sierra Leone.
Families are having to choose between buying school supplies and buying food.
When families are forced to choose, the effects are devastating: in 2019, only 39% of primary school students in Sierra Leone were able to reach Grade 6. This country has endured decades of hardship, including the Sierra Leonean Civil War in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the deadly outbreak of the Ebola virus in 2014.
In Sierra Leone, a girl receiving her education isn't just acquiring knowledge; she's unlocking a world of endless possibilities. Each educated girl represents hope, resilience, and limitless potential, shaping a society where women's empowerment drives sustainable development.
Education is one of the many things we often take for granted - we forget that learning is a privilege, that to some, is out of reach. Students all around the world deserve to learn; I'm a huge supporter of scholarships for African students - because their education matters too.
Can artificial intelligence help bridge the gap between challenges and opportunities in Africa?
Google believes so, and its AI initiatives are already making a difference.
Artificial intelligence (AI), refers to software that can learn, analyze data, and make intelligent decisions—offering innovative solutions to complex challenges. Technology like this has great potential in Africa, as it can help improve infrastructure, education, and healthcare, providing scalable and efficient solutions to pressing issues.
Make a Difference Today: Donate to the Year of the Pencil Campaign
On November 20th, this movement placed over 100,000 pencils into the hands
of children across Sierra Leone in 20 schools.
Each pencil tells a story — of hope, opportunity, and possibility.
Education is more than lessons — it’s liberation.
Every $25 helps children write their dreams.
👉 Help provide pencils by donating today!
