Sponsor a Child in Sierra Leone — Change a Life Forever

The world's future leaders are today's children and youth — and in Sierra Leone, many of them are waiting for someone like you. Child sponsorship is one of the most direct and personal ways to change a life and bring lasting hope to an entire family and community.

Sponsoring a child in Sierra Leone provides the continuity of impact that transforms outcomes. The primary focus of our sponsorship program is education — when you sponsor a child, your funds support their schooling, covering fees, supplies, uniforms, and the sustained encouragement that keeps them enrolled and progressing year after year. Education is a tested and proven pathway out of poverty, equipping children with the knowledge and skills they need to grow into independent, self-sufficient adults who contribute to their families, communities, and nation.

In addition to supporting a child's education, you will be building a personal relationship with your sponsored child and their family — and joining a worldwide community of supporters who share your commitment to change the world, one life at a time. You can also support children directly by donating school supplies for the upcoming school year.

How Child Sponsorship Works

1. Choose a child in Sierra Leone waiting for your sponsorship.
   • Consider interests, age range, and future career aspirations.
   • Browse profiles to find a child you connect with — or let us help you find the right match.
2. Click "Sponsor Today" and fill out a short form.
3. Receive payment instructions via email and begin your sponsorship.

What Your Monthly Gift Provides for a Child in Sierra Leone

When you sponsor a child in Sierra Leone through Develop Africa, your monthly contribution directly funds:

• School tuition and enrollment fees
• School supplies — notebooks, pens, pencils, and backpacks
• Uniforms and essential school materials
• Mentoring and ongoing encouragement
• Occasional food support for families facing food insecurity
• A direct personal relationship with a child whose life you are changing

Impact of Your Child Sponsorship

• Access to Education: Child sponsorship provides children in Sierra Leone with access to education who might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend school — breaking the cycle of poverty by equipping children with knowledge and skills for the future.
• Nutrition and Food Security: Our sponsorship program provides occasional food support — including meals, supplements, and non-perishable food — helping ensure children have enough to eat for proper growth and development.
• Empowerment of Communities: Alongside direct support for children, we invest in community development initiatives — benefits that extend to the entire community in Sierra Leone.
• Psychosocial Support: Sponsorship programs offer psychosocial support including counseling, mentoring, and recreational activities — helping children cope with challenges, build resilience, and develop important life skills.
• Increased Self-Esteem and Confidence: Knowing that a sponsor cares for them boosts children's self-esteem and confidence, giving them a sense of belonging and value within their communities.
• Long-Term Impact: By investing in children's education, health, and well-being in Sierra Leone, we contribute to long-term development outcomes — poverty reduction, improved gender equality, and expanded economic opportunities for future generations.
• Cultural Exchange and Understanding: Our program facilitates meaningful cultural exchange between sponsors and sponsored children in Sierra Leone, fostering greater understanding and empathy across geographical and cultural divides.
• Relationship and Family Connections: Many sponsors communicate regularly with their children in Sierra Leone, exchanging letters, photos, and updates throughout the year.

What Is Expected of Me as a Child Sponsor?

Children in Sierra Leone love to receive letters. We would appreciate your sending a letter and photos at least once or twice a year. Your child would love to know that you care for them.

You are welcome to send a gift by mail — we can include it in a shipment sent every 3–4 months. Please mail contributions to our Tennessee office. Gifts could include clothes, a laptop, an iPad, an eBook reader, or similar items.

You could also donate a little extra on your child's birthday or at Christmas, or send video messages and family photos.

Read a letter from David to his sponsored child, Frederick, in Sierra Leone (PDF)

Sponsored Children in Sierra Leone Love Getting Letters and Photos

Tewoh Millicent was delighted to receive pictures from her sponsors, David and Amanda:

A School, Business, Club, or Organization Can Sponsor a Child in Sierra Leone

Alfred, Yealie, and Mariama love receiving letters and photos from their sponsor, Cactus Valley Elementary — and writing back. The 3rd-grade class at Cactus Valley Elementary sent the image below along with their letters.

How Long Should I Sponsor a Child?

You can sponsor a child in Sierra Leone for as long as you want. We recommend sponsoring for at least two years — this brings stability to a child's life and family, and allows a meaningful relationship to develop over time.

Get started today — choose a child in Sierra Leone, connect, and create a relationship that changes a life.

Can't Sponsor a Child? Donate!

Every dollar donated to a child in Sierra Leone in need is a meaningful gift that brings real change. If you prefer to donate to a specific child, include the child's name in the form. You can also let us select a child for you, or indicate whether you would like your gift to go to a boy or a girl.

There is no limit on one-time donations — whether you choose to give to the same child later in the year or to a different child, your gift will be warmly welcomed and carefully applied.

Why Are Some of the Children on the Site Youths or College-Age?

The child sponsorship program was started in 2009. Some of the original children have grown up and phased out. Some families need continued support as their children enter college — and we also have former orphans now pursuing their degrees. We have extended our program to include college students through completion of their Bachelor's degree. The advantage of sponsoring a college student is that communication tends to be more frequent and insightful.

Thank you. Your sponsorship changes a child's life in Sierra Leone.

Need more information about child sponsorship?

• See answers to Frequently Asked Questions about our child sponsorship program
• Ask a Question