We’re thrilled to share a major milestone in our Year of the Pencil Campaign—all made possible thanks to the incredible support of donors like YOU! 

Our second shipment of supplies arrived in Freetown and has now been organized into 304 individual pouches, each containing 10 pencils and 1 sharpener, ready to be distributed to students in Sierra Leone. 

This meaningful work was done by three of our amazing Develop Africa Sierra Leone (DASL) beneficiaries—Fatu, Ballusa, and Marian—who volunteered their time to assemble these educational kits at the DASL office. The energy in the room was electric, filled with purpose and pride. As Marian beautifully put it: 

"DASL is really a blessing to the less privileged, and I am truly grateful for all that DASL is doing." 

 

Marian’s words capture the heart of the year of the pencil campaign: empowering young learners, one pencil at a time. 

Here’s what your support has helped make possible in 2025 (so far!): 
 

• 73,731 pencils donated
• 5794 pencil pouches

• 7,228 sharpeners

The next shipment of pencils is on its way to Freetown, helping us get even closer to our goal of preparing 1,000 pencil pouches for distribution in October. 

And the best part? We’re almost 75% of the way to our goal of 100,000 pencils—just one more push will get us there! 

Learn more and join the movement: Year of the Pencil Campaign at https://www.developafrica.org/yearofthepencil