Develop Africa, Inc.

The mission of Develop Africa is to facilitate and establish meaningful and sustainable development in Africa through capacity building, empowerment and transformational education. Develop Africa was birthed out of the vision that human resource development is the key to improving nation-building capacity in Africa. Our focus is on impacting and changing lives.
Dec 10, 2012

Saving Lives From The Deadliest Animals on Earth - How You Can Help

Group of mosquito bed net recipients
Group of mosquito bed net recipients

It's mosquito trivia time and I have 2 important facts for you:

1. Mosquitoes are the deadliest animals on Earth.
That's right, more deaths are associated with mosquitoes than any other animal on the planet. Mosquitoes may carry any number of deadly diseases, including malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, and encephalitis. Mosquitoes also carry heartworm, which can be lethal to your dog. (source - http://insects.about.com/od/flies/a/10-facts-about-mosquitoes.htm)

2.  Nets Reduce Deaths and Are Very Effective
Insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) are a form of personal protection that has been shown to reduce malaria illness, severe disease, and death due to malaria in endemic regions. In community-wide trials in several African settings, ITNs have been shown to reduce the death of children under 5 years from all causes by about 20%. (source  -http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/malaria_worldwide/reduction/itn.html)

The above 2 facts help to underscore the importance of what we are doing together - saving lives from the deadliest animals on earth by providing treated bed nets.  Simple, un-dramatic (no bells, buzz and whistles) but so very effective.  Immediate impact.  Easy to implement.

The photo included shows a group of beneficiaries happily holding the nets that they have received as they know that they are now free from pesky mosquitoes.  It's a joy to know we are saving lives from death!

We together could do so much more.  Could you join us in this endeavor by helping to provide many more nets? Your donation of $30 a month will provide 3 nets each month.  Your support is needed and important because it will help eradicate malaria from the lives of individuals and families.  Knowing that we can count on your $30 or more each month will provide ongoing progress - helping us to provide for the entire community.  Your recurring donations will be a predictable stream of income, making it easier for us to plan financially.

Right now is a great time to sign up for a recurring donation as during the month of December, GlobalGiving is offering a 100% match on all initial recurring donations up to $100 per donor.  Your recurring donation could also help us win a $500 bonus award!  You have to sign up now in order for your donation to count during this campaign. Thanks for your support

Sign up now - start your recurring donation - helping to provide many more nets!

Links:

Dec 5, 2012

Night and Day: The Difference That Education Makes ... and How You Can Help

Girls at Door of Hope
Girls at Door of Hope
What difference does education in the life of a girl in Africa? The difference is night and day, success and almost certain failure.  A whole lot!  Based on our research and experiences, here are a few points of note:

1.  Girls that are not educated have a higher level of prostitution, a higher rate of child labor, get married earlier and are more liable to becoming drug addicts.

2.  Girls that are literate / educated are more likely to use their stimulated minds to become entrepreneurs.   

3.  Educated girls are more likely to send their children to school and raise healthier families.

Here are a few important notes about Education:
a)  Education aids countries in harnessing their natural resources - effectively changing their Gross Domestic Product (a general measure of productivity and growth).
 
b)  Education plays a vital role in the creation of enterprises that provides jobs for people. 

c)  Education provides a springboard to employing and using technology to improve the lives of people.
d) The lack of primary education is one of the main obstacles to eradicating poverty and hunger in Africa.  This is a vital foundation and without this many lives end up destitute and frustrated - due to a lack of opportunities.

e) Education opens the doorway to information, transformation, reformation, innovation and actualization of dreams.

Christiana (pictured) is a star pupil in Freetown with tremendous potential.  I had the opportunity to meet her in person during my last trip and I came away thinking - "Here is a brilliant, talented young lady with tremendous potential - who will make an amazing difference as a leader in Sierra Leone." 

Christiana is interviewed in this video on YouTube and she references education as a resource that will help her achieve her dreams of becoming a Banker.  We imagine it will do a whole lot more for her and she is full of potential.

With the above in mind, it's essential that we continue and enhance our efforts at providing a transforming education experience for girls like Christiana.  In 2013 we are diversifying our education offerings and providing more technology and vocational training and mentoring opportunities.  The girls pictured in this report and many more will be able to benefit from diverse training opportunities provided through electronic resources at our computer la - launching early in 2013.

Could you join us in this endeavor by helping to providing scholarships and computer training for Christiana and other girls in her community? Your donation of $30 or more a month will help cover the costs of a full scholarship for Christiana and other girls.  Your support is needed and important because it will help her and other girls like her stay in school - bringing about transformation and opened doors of opportunity.  Knowing that we can count on your $30 or more each month will provide ongoing progress, stability and secure her educational progress. Your recurring donations will be a predictable stream of income, making it easier for us to plan financially.

Right now is a great time to sign up for a recurring donation as during the month of December, GlobalGiving is offering a 100% match on all initial recurring donations up to $100 per donor.  Your recurring donation could also help us win a $500 bonus award! We will send you a special Develop Africa white coffee mug in appreciation!  You have to sign up now in order for your donation to count during this campaign. Thanks for your support

Sign up now - start your recurring donation - helping to educate Christiana and many other girls!
More girls - The future leaders of Sierra Leone
More girls - The future leaders of Sierra Leone
Christiana - Star pupil
Christiana - Star pupil
Sylvester and Christiana - Visit to Door of Hope
Sylvester and Christiana - Visit to Door of Hope

Links:

Nov 27, 2012

Double Impact: Personal and Leadership / Organizational Empowerment

Joshua - computer training
Joshua - computer training

Warm greetings

Over the past years we have had the opportunity to offer computer training to many youths and young adults. In the last session, the training was offered to several leaders in local Civil Society Organizations.  The rationale behind this is capacity building: Besides helping to empower the beneficiaries themselves, we are also strengthening and empowering organizations that they lead.   This triggered a multiplier effect and doubled our impact.  We are delighted to be able to make this effect.

In the video, Joshua and Jusu extend their thanks and gratitude to Develop Africa, AID Sierra Leone (local partner organization) and all who made the training possible.  This includes you - as a donor to this project and we are grateful for your support that helped make this possible.

The training was very beneficial to the participants as it helped them expand their knowledge and advance their skills.  As Joshua, one of the beneficiaries says in the Youtube video, "there were so many things I did not know about (using a) computer but because of this training been extended to me I am really grateful”.  The lives of the trainees will never be the same again because of the vital skills they have acquired.

Thanks for joining us in providing this empowering training! 

Links:

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