Educate the Future Leaders of Sierra Leone

Warm Greetings-

Have you ever desired to get to know more about the children that we are supporting in Africa?  Well, you are certainly not alone.  As a Project Leader, I love to see the photos of the children and in particular to listen to videos of the children.  This helps me to better understand their needs, desires, aspirations and to stay connected. 

Here's a link to video of a girl called Richlyn.  Richlyn is interviewed in this camera by the Director of Door of Hope (off camera) who asks her a number of questions.  Richlyn is 10 years old and tells us what her favorite games are - and the school she attends - the Annie Walsh Memorial School (one of the top schools in Sierra Leone). Richlyn has a beautiful smile and dreams of becoming a doctor.  

Towards the end of the interview she answers 2 questions that tugged my heart : 

Q: What is the number one thing you would like to see changed in this world?
Richlyn: I will like to see poverty changed in this world

Q: Do you think that women should be given the opportunity to take part in decision making?
Richlyn: Yes!

I connected with her - right here.  Real and warm!  Richlyn and I - we together share a common dream.  Similar thinking.  I would imagine for many of you that support this project - you are saying as you read this: "Me too!"

At this early age, she is clearly conscious about these two crucial issues that are on our minds and the minds of leaders everywhere.  Richlyn is a budding leader and we are so very thankful for the opportunity and privilege we together share - that of helping to educate the next generation of leaders.  With this united consciousness and our on-going action, we know for a certainty that these issues will become history and a thing of the past in the coming years.  Thanks for helping make this happen.

We have a question for You: Do you have any questions you would like to hear answered by the children in Africa that we work with?  Feel free to let us know.  In the coming months we will put together a video with your responses and share it here.  You can submit your question through the contact us form on our website. 

Go ahead - watch the video again.

Thanks for staying connected and warm!

With every good wish...

Sylvester

Links:

• Watch video of Richlyn

Warm greetings.  The school year is well under way - and included in this update are a couple photos of the distribution of scholarships and supplies that took place in September.  Be sure to also see the photo (taken earlier this year) of a group of children holding "thank you" signs.  A couple of the signs say: "Thank You Global Giving Donors"

Together we helped to ensure the continuity of the education of several children in Sierra Leone.  It always warms my heart to see how we are enabling the education of these children - the future leaders of Sierra Leone and potentially the world!

The parents and children were so very appreciative of the support provided.   The funds provided also help to cover levied school-related expenses - which have resulted in other children dropping out of school.

Education, as you know is a game-changer and an enabler.  In each of our personal lives we can attest to the doors that education opened and the opportunities it provided access to.  Well, we are helping to provide access to opportunities for these future leaders.  We have a truly influential role - simple but effective.

 Thanks again for your support and best wishes

Just a few weeks ago, in May 2011, I had the opportunity to travel to Freetown, Sierra Leone and meet a number of the children - beneficiaries of this project.  It was a true delight to see their smiling, happy faces.  I verified that they are receiving your donations and making steady progress at school.

During our group meeting, I passed on these messages, which I had received from you, encouraging them to focus on their studies and to excel at school.  I also encouraged the parents to support their children morally and be a continual inspiration. 

My presence and the message of encouragement that I passed on were well received.  The parents and children asked me to bring back their warm appreciation to you for your support that has helped to provide books, school supplies and scholarships for the children.  Your support truly means a lot to them - much more than you would realize.

Over the past month, I ran into a news article that affirms our commitment to supporting education in Africa:

"Look at how Asia’s extraordinary growth in recent decades was fueled by a determination to invest in “human capital".  It is widely understood that Africa’s children will not own the 21st century until their leaders put more emphasis on educating them. Poor, barely literate 18 year olds in a rural area cannot compete for jobs. Neither can they take advantage of the investments being made on the continent.

It seems the critical investment of this century will be how Africa’s children are equipped to prepare for the challenges and chances ahead. There is no time to waste."

We are definitely on the right track - investing into the future of Africa's children. Our continual investment is truly raising the future leaders of Sierra Leone.  Thank you so much fro your on-going support!

Links:

• Africa’s crucial investment – education

Warm greetings-

It is my pleasure to share with you a brief profile and thank you message from Edward, one of the beneficiaries, who has received a scholarship from funds you have provided.

"I returned from Liberia after the civil war and I I live with a single parent, my mother, who has very little marketable skills and no money to embark on income generating activities. My mother struggled under very difficult conditions to keep me in school   I had almost dropped out of school, when I was recommended for the scholarship scheme.

This sponsorship has helped me to continue my education, which is a bridge for me to cross from poverty to self-reliance.  My mother and I are very grateful to you GlobalGiving and Develop Africa for your sponsorship. My self-esteem has been restored and I have a hope and a future"

Thank you GlobalGiving donors for continuing to help bring transformation and real change to Edward's and many other lives!  Because of you demonstrated commitment to empowering lives, Edward's and many other are well on the path to self-reliance and independence.  Many thanks for your support!

Bonus Days: We wanted to take this opportunity to inform you about three upcoming GobalGiving Bonus Days this year. During these days your donations will be matched up to a certain percentage.  This would be a great opportunity to make your donation go ever further 

• March 16^th
• June 15^th
• October 19^th

Recurring Donations: Have you considered signing up for recurring donations?  This is an excellent way to maximize your impact and enable us to do so much more.  Looking for a unique gift for yourself or someone else? Give a recurring donation as a gift. GlobalGiving will send a tribute card to the gift recipient.

We welcome your suggestions, comments and feedback.

Committed to empowering the next generation

Warm greetings.

The new academic school year (2009/2010) is under way and we are happy to report that twenty-seven (27) students have benefited from the scholarship scheme. Two of the students (Thomasia and Timothy) have graduated from primary to secondary school. The parents and students are very grateful to GlobalGiving for sponsoring their children’s education.

Below is a testimonial from Isata, one of the beneficiaries. Your donations are paying for her school fees, and helping to provide books and school supplies.

“I am very grateful to GlobalGiving and Develop Africa for giving the opportunity to go to school. My mother is a poor single parent, hawking / retailing charcoal for our survival. She could not afford to send me to school. I was out of school, helping her sell charcoal until I met the representative of Develop Africa, who helped enrolled me into school, through the sponsorship of GlobalGiving. I promise to work hard and excel in school so that I in turn will be able to help less fortunate children like me. GlobalGiving donors, thank you very much. You have given me hope and a future.”

The photos show some of the children who have benefited from your support and donations. You will notice that they are proudly holding GlobalGiving signs / stickers.  In the coming year, we hope to expand the sponsorship scheme to other deprived communities, where there are equally desperate needs for support. We hope to add at least 10 new beneficiaries to the scheme - bringing hope to many more.

With this in mind, we welcome your donations between now and the end of the year that would enable  us to continue to impact many more lives like Isata's.  Thanks for your support and for making a donation today! 

We would also be happy to hear from you - so feel free to send us any comments and suggestions you may have on how we can do even more.  We would be so happy to hear from you.

Best wishes