Students participating in computer training at the Develop Africa Sierra Leone (DASL) computer lab recently had an opportunity to put their Microsoft Excel skills into practice during a practical examination.

Eight students, including seven boys and one girl, participated in the examination. Each student worked independently at an assigned computer, demonstrating skills developed during their computer training sessions.

Most organizations have a website. Far fewer control one. The difference shows up the day you need to post an urgent appeal, fix a broken donate button, or launch a new program page, and the only person who can do it is a contractor who answers email on Thursdays.

Knowing how to build a website, and understanding a content management system (CMS) like Drupal, closes that gap. It is not about becoming a full-time developer. It is about owning the most public, most permanent expression of your mission.

For Gibril, receiving a computer means having an important tool to help him complete his university assignments and work on his dissertation.

Gibril is an Applied Accounting student at IPAM University in Sierra Leone. In a recent video, he shared his excitement after receiving a computer through the generous support of Mr. Mark and Computer Equipment for Kids.

His happiness was clear as he expressed his appreciation:

"I'm so electrified with joy!"

Before students can begin their computer lessons, there is important preparation happening behind the scenes.

As FAWE School for Girls in Sierra Leone begins a new academic session, preparations are underway at the FAWE Computer Lab to get the learning environment ready and coordinate the upcoming computer classes.

Science becomes more meaningful when students have the opportunity to move beyond theory and experience it for themselves.

Several years ago, Develop Africa distributed science equipment and educational materials to four schools in Sierra Leone through the generous support of Sharon, a retired science teacher and longtime Develop Africa supporter.

When a sponsor sends a care package, the journey does not end when the package arrives in Sierra Leone. For the Develop Africa Sierra Leone team, that is when an important process of documentation and delivery begins.

Recently, our team received a care package from one of our sponsors for three sponsored beneficiaries: Joy, Nchumalen, and Jane.

When you support a young person’s education, you’re helping them prepare for more than their next class or exam. You’re helping create opportunities for them to learn practical skills they can carry into adulthood.

That’s why mentoring is an important part of Develop Africa’s work.

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.

Introduction

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.