Gender Equality Sierra Leone Project #3935

Educate a Girl, Educate a Nation - Sierra Leone

by Develop Africa, Inc.

Summary

Across the region, 9 million girls between the ages of about 6 and 11 will never go to school, compared to 6 million boys, according to UIS data. By the time they become adolescents, the exclusion rate for girls is 36% compared to 32% for boys. (UNESCO, 2021). Girls' education must be a major priority for us all. This project will help by providing resources for girls to get their education including books & school supplies, girls mentoring, computer training, food, and transportation.

$260,000
total goal

$26,817
remaining

2,980
donors

36
monthly donors

60
fundraisers

12
years

Challenge

Girls are still more likely than boys to never set foot in a classroom, despite the tremendous progress made over the past 20 years. A preference for boys' education remains dominant in many circles - with boys getting priority access to limited opportunities. This places girls at a huge, crippling disadvantage. Without urgent action, the situation will likely get worse as the region faces a rising demand for education due to a still-growing school-age population. (UNESCO 2021)

Solution

This project helps girls stay in school and complete their education. By offering opportunities and supplying urban and rural girls with the tools they need to be healthy and successful, we are closing the gender gap so that more girls can stay in school and graduate. Targeted training ensures that the girls have the life skills and mindset needed for success and continual progress. Computer training, vocational, and business opportunities ensure progress towards self-sufficiency.

Long-Term Impact

This project helps girls break out of the vicious cycle of poverty that entraps unskilled and resource-poor girls. At-risk girls are maturing into well-educated, emancipated, gainfully employed, and self-sufficient women. These empowered women are the pillars of their families, communities, and the nation. When the home's mother is educated, the health, well-being, and success of the entire family are propelled forward and transformed. Educated girls educate the entire nation.