Donate School Supplies
Right now, millions of children across West Africa start the school day without the most basic learning tools.
In Sierra Leone and across sub-Saharan Africa, many students walk into classrooms without notebooks, pencils, textbooks, or backpacks. An informal survey by Develop Africa across five West African countries found that two out of three school-aged children lack the supplies they need to succeed.
That means bright, motivated students are falling behind—not because they lack ability, but because they lack tools.
Without these essentials, even the most determined child struggles to keep up. Lessons are missed. Confidence fades. Potential goes untapped.
But this is where you come in.
When you support Develop Africa, that story changes.
Your gift puts a backpack on a child’s shoulders, notebooks on their desk, and a pencil in their hand. It gives them light to study at night, tools to participate in class, and the dignity of showing up prepared—just like their peers.
A child who was trying to learn with nothing can now start the school year ready, confident, and equipped.
What Your Support Makes Possible
Since 2006, Develop Africa has connected donors worldwide with schools in the greatest need. Because of supporters like you—from the U.S., Canada, Europe, the UK, Australia, Asia, the Middle East, and beyond—tens of thousands of children have received school supplies in Cameroon, Ghana, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Tanzania.
Today, our primary focus is Sierra Leone, where your support is helping turn classrooms with shortages into classrooms with opportunity.
2026 Goals: Backpacks for Bright Futures
In celebration of Develop Africa’s 20th Anniversary, we’re launching a special Backpacks for Bright Futures campaign with one clear, human goal:
Support 200 students in honor of 20 years of impact.
That means 200 children will start the school year with the supplies and tuition support they need—not just to attend school, but to learn, participate, and believe in their future.
Right now, many of these students are trying to learn without the basics.
With your help, they’ll walk into school prepared—and walk toward a brighter future.
Supplies Your Gift Helps Provide
Your support helps deliver exactly what students need most:
- Preschool Backpacks, Elementary backpacks, High School backpacks
- Notebooks/Exercise books (preferably lined, 200 pages+)
- Pens, pencils, erasers, sharpeners, and pencil pouches
- Calculators, geometry sets, and rulers
- Coloring books & crayons
- Solar lights for studying
- Computers, tablets, eReaders, laptops
- Cell phones
- Chalk & Erasers for Chalkboards
Due to limited resources, we are no longer able to accept supplies outside of the list above. Please email hello@developafrica.org with any questions
Please fill out the Drive registration form first. This helps us know when to expect your supplies.
Got questions? Feel free to email us at hello@developafrica.org
Donating School Supplies From The USA/Canada
While we deeply appreciate item donations, donors must cover all shipping costs for supplies sent to Sierra Leone. Unfortunately, Develop Africa is unable to cover shipping costs at this time.
Develop Africa
1906 Knob Creek Road, Suite 3
Johnson City, TN 37604, USA
Phone: 423-282-0006
Shipping outside the US & Canada- Email us at hello@developafrica.org for further information
Cover Shipping Costs
Shipping supplies internationally is expensive. Financial donations toward shipping are one of the most impactful ways to help.
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We suggest $50 per box to help cover shipping to Africa- DONATE NOW
Donations can be made online or by check/money order.
You can find tips and ideas for raising funds for shipping here.
If covering shipping costs is not feasible, we warmly invite you to consider donating through our Fill the Backpack Campaign, which helps us purchase supplies locally and efficiently.
Our goal is to fill 200 backpacks for distribution to students in Sierra Leone this August.
👉 Fill the Backpack: https://givebutter.com/fillbackpacks
This option allows your generosity to go even further by reducing shipping expenses and ensuring students receive exactly what they need.
Are you interested in holding a school supply drive?
Sponsor or start a collection drive: We've received countless donations from collection drives at churches, schools, fraternities, and sororities.
Click here for more information about organizing a successful School Supplies Drive.
Ship Your School Supplies at a Reduced Rate - Thanks to a Partnership with The Give Back Box.
We have partnered with the Give Back Box to ensure our donors can ship their school supply donations for the lowest cost. With our Give Back Box partner page, you can purchase a shipping label for a flat fee of $20. This label will cover a box of supplies up to 35 pounds, shipped to our office in Tennessee.
Important - Before You Proceed:
- This fee is subject to change without notice.
- This is a cost-effective option if you are planning to ship a box weighing up to 35 pounds.
- Disregard the “10 pounds” that might be printed on the label
- We have received information that labels could have the same tracking number. If you plan to send more than one box, be prepared to drop off the boxes on different days, as your store may not accept more than one box with the same label on the same day.
Necessary: Please include your name/group name and contact information (email, phone number, and address) in your school supply donation box(es); otherwise, we will not be able to identify you or thank you.
Please specify if you would like a tax receipt.
Disclaimer: Develop Africa is not directly affiliated with Give Back Box or its services. While donors may choose to use Give Back Box labels to ship donations to Develop Africa, it is important to note that Develop Africa does not control the accuracy or shipping process of boxes using Give Back Box labels. Donors are encouraged to carefully review the terms and conditions provided by Give Back Box and ensure that their donations meet the required guidelines before shipping. Develop Africa is not liable for any issues or discrepancies related to donations shipped using Give Back Box labels.
Things to Know about Your Donation?
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Supplies are carefully sorted, repacked, and shipped through trusted clearing and forwarding agencies to ensure delivery directly to schools. This approach prevents donated items from being delayed, taxed, or abandoned at ports.
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Donors receive acknowledgment and can request tax receipts
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Please include your name (or company/group name) and contact information (email, phone number, and address) inside each box so we can properly thank you once the supplies reach Sierra Leone.
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Tracking information is helpful when possible
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We love receiving photos and videos from your drives—share them with us at hello@developafrica.org
Join Us
When you donate school supplies, you’re doing more than giving materials—you’re restoring dignity, confidence, and opportunity.
One backpack. One pencil. One child at a time.
