Develop Africa's Year of the Pencil Initiative Featured in SLANGO Newsletter
Freetown, Sierra Leone — August 2026 — Develop Africa Sierra Leone's Year of the Pencil initiative has been featured in the July 2026 edition of the Sierra Leone Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (SLANGO) Newsletter.
The feature highlights Develop Africa's work to improve access to education by addressing one of the most basic barriers children face in the classroom: access to essential school supplies.
100,000 Pencils. 10,000 Pupils. 20 Schools.
On November 20, 2025, Develop Africa reached a major milestone through the Year of the Pencil campaign.
In a single day, the initiative distributed:
- 100,000 pencils
- 10,000 pupils reached
- 20 schools served
- 10 pencils and 2 sharpeners provided to each child
The campaign reached schools across Freetown, including FAWE Primary School for Girls, Stella Maris Primary School, Pentecostal Primary School, Hope Academy for Girls, Regent Square Municipal Infant Primary School, Kingtom Police Infant Primary School, Murray Town Municipal Infant Primary School, Tower Hill Municipal Infant Primary School, and other government and community schools.
More Than Pencils
The Year of the Pencil initiative was built around a simple belief: children should have the basic tools they need to participate fully in their education.
Providing school supplies can help students participate in class, complete assignments, and approach learning with greater confidence.
It can also reduce the financial burden placed on families and teachers who often have to fill gaps when students lack essential materials.
The campaign also promoted greater equity by ensuring that pupils had access to the same basic learning tools.
A Community Effort
This achievement was made possible through the combined efforts of Develop Africa Sierra Leone's team, donors, partners, volunteers, educators, and community leaders.
Their support helped turn a simple idea into a campaign that reached thousands of children in one day.
We are grateful to SLANGO for recognizing the initiative and highlighting the wider work being done to strengthen education and communities across Sierra Leone.
For Develop Africa, the work continues.
We remain committed to expanding educational opportunities, empowering young people, supporting teachers and schools, and working with communities to create lasting opportunities.
Sometimes, meaningful change begins with something as simple as a pencil.
Read the July 2026 SLANGO Newsletter:
SLANGO Newsletter – July 2026
Learn more about Develop Africa:
www.developafrica.org
