The Year of the Pencil campaign has equipped young learners with essential tools to support early-grade education across Freetown, Sierra Leone.
In a press release from Develop Africa, the Foundation collaborated with the Freetown City Council and the GEED Foundation, to crown the 2025 Year of the Pencil campaign by distributing 100,000 pencils, 10,000 pouches and 10,000 sharpeners to 10,000 pupils across 20 primary schools in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
The launch was held at Regent Square Municipal Infant Primary School where Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr joined school administrators, educators and members of the local community in gracing the occasion.
The Mayor highlighted the Need for Early-Grade Support: During the launch, she emphasized the campaign’s role in strengthening foundational learning, while reaffirming the city’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities across all communities.
"From Nursery 2 to Class 3, many children come to school without a pencil. Their parents cannot always afford basic supplies. This campaign gives them a fair chance to learn, write, and participate. The excitement we saw today shows how much this support matters”, she said.
Teachers shared that the supplies would immediately improve classroom engagement. One of them at the Regent Square Municipal School said: “Many pupils sit in class with nothing to write with. These pouches solve a daily problem and help us teach more effectively.”
Students expressed pride as they opened their pouches and began using their new pencils. One pupil said: “I feel ready for school now. I don’t have to borrow anymore.”
Sylvester Renner, President & Founder of Develop Africa, shared the purpose behind the initiative: “A pencil is small, but the opportunity it unlocks is enormous. When a child is equipped to write, to draw, to imagine, their future opens up. Today, because of the generosity of our supporters, 10,000 children now have the tools to learn confidently.”
Donors, partners and volunteers supported the campaign. The teams from Develop Africa, GEED Foundation, and Freetown City Council coordinated the distribution across all 20 schools. Photos and video clips from the distribution show pupils celebrating, teachers expressing relief, and volunteers helping to deliver supplies across multiple communities.
Develop Africa is a nonprofit dedicated to equipping children and youth in Africa with education, training, and life-building resources. Since 2006, it has supported tens of thousands of students through scholarships, school supplies, computer training, and community-led programs.
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