Why We Shipped 100,000 Pencils (and 10,000 Sharpeners)
A Small Detail. A Big Lesson in Leadership and Learning.
Over the past couple of months or so, something remarkable happened.
Together with our partners and supporters, we shipped 100,000 pencils to children across Sierra Leone.
But here’s the part that makes this story truly special: each child will also receive a yellow pencil sharpener—because a pencil without a sharpener can’t fulfill its purpose.
That little detail reminded me of an important truth: "Leadership is about thinking ahead and anticipating needs."
We realized that sending pencils alone wasn’t enough. We needed to make sure every student could keep writing, keep solving problems, and keep dreaming—even after the first pencil point breaks.
A pencil represents potential.
A sharpener represents sustainability.
Together, they represent opportunity.
And that’s what Develop Africa stands for—helping children write their futures with confidence and continuity.
🌍 The Bigger Vision
This milestone is part of our Year of the Pencil campaign, a movement to equip thousands of students with the basic tools they need to learn and thrive.
Each pencil pouch we distribute symbolizes hope, preparation, and progress.
But we’re not stopping here.
Your continued support helps us ship more supplies, fund scholarships, and power classrooms across Africa.
❤️ How You Can Help
Every $25 helps us reach more children with essential learning tools.
Share this story: Forward this email or post on social media with #YearOfThePencil
Together, we’re proving that when we think one step ahead, learning never stops.
Thank you for standing with us.
Sylvester Renner,
President & Founder, Develop Africa.
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Why we added 10,000 pencils sharpeners
