Develop Africa

Develop Africa: Empowering Lives Through Education in Sierra Leone

Our Story

Develop Africa was born on the streets of Freetown, Sierra Leone, in 2003. Founder Sylvester Renner was walking down Howe Street when he encountered a young girl crouching on the pavement, asking passersby for food. That image — a child reduced to begging for survival in a nation rich with potential — compressed into a calling that would not let go.

That moment crystallized a truth: Africa's greatest untapped resource isn't minerals or land. It's people. And the barrier standing between potential and impact isn't capacity — it's opportunity.

Three years later, on January 30, 2006, Develop Africa was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the United States, headquartered in Johnson City, Tennessee. What began as one founder's response to one child's need has grown into a comprehensive education-focused organization that has impacted thousands of lives across Sierra Leone.

Our Mission

Develop Africa strategically empowers lives in Sierra Leone by providing educational opportunities and strengthening self-reliance, enabling individuals, families, and communities to create positive change in their own lives.

We don't believe in dependency. We believe in development — the kind that lasts beyond a single grant cycle, that compounds across generations, that transforms communities from the inside out.

Our Approach: Education as the Multiplier

We focus on education because it's the ultimate force multiplier. A scholarship doesn't just change one life — it changes a family's trajectory. Digital skills training doesn't just create one job — it creates economic mobility. Mentoring doesn't just guide one student — it models a pathway others can follow.

Our programs are designed around four strategic pillars:

1. Scholarship Programs

We provide school sponsorships that cover tuition, uniforms, books, and supplies for students from primary school through university. Sponsorship isn't just financial support — it's a covenant relationship. Sponsored students receive ongoing mentoring, academic monitoring, and connection to a community of support that believes in their potential.

Every scholarship represents a family breaking the poverty cycle. When a girl stays in school, she's statistically more likely to delay marriage, have fewer and healthier children, and earn significantly more income over her lifetime.

2. Digital Skills Training

In a world where digital literacy is no longer optional, we're closing the technology gap. Our computer training programs teach essential skills — from basic computer operations to coding, graphic design, and data management — that position Sierra Leoneans to compete in the global digital economy.

We operate computer labs where students gain hands-on experience with modern technology. We don't just teach software; we teach problem-solving, critical thinking, and adaptability — the meta-skills that make lifelong learning possible.

3. Books and Educational Materials

Access to quality learning materials remains a critical barrier in Sierra Leone. Many schools lack libraries. Many students share one textbook among five or ten classmates. We ship containers of books, school supplies, and educational resources directly to schools and students who need them most.

A student with her own textbook can study at home. A school with a library can cultivate a culture of reading. A teacher with proper materials can deliver lessons that stick.

4. Mentoring and Leadership Development

Education isn't just information transfer — it's identity formation. Our mentoring programs pair students with guides who model what's possible, who speak vision when circumstances scream limitation, who hold students accountable to their own potential.

We're not just creating graduates. We're cultivating leaders — young people who will return to their communities equipped not just with degrees, but with the conviction that they can be agents of change.

Why Sierra Leone?

Sierra Leone is a nation of remarkable resilience. It's a country that endured a brutal civil war from 1991 to 2002, rebuilt itself, and then faced the devastating Ebola outbreak of 2014–2016. Through it all, Sierra Leoneans have demonstrated extraordinary courage, creativity, and determination.

But resilience alone isn't enough. The country still faces significant development challenges:

• Youth unemployment remains critically high, with limited formal sector opportunities
• Educational infrastructure is underdeveloped, particularly in rural areas
• Gender disparities persist, with girls facing cultural and economic barriers to education
• The digital divide leaves many Sierra Leoneans disconnected from the global knowledge economy

We focus our work in Sierra Leone because we know the context deeply. Founder Sylvester Renner is Sierra Leonean. Our Country Director leads operations on the ground. We're not outsiders imposing external solutions — we're partners working alongside Sierra Leoneans to unlock the potential that's already there.

Our Track Record

Since 2006, Develop Africa has:

• Provided scholarships to thousands of students from primary school through university
• Shipped containers of books, school supplies, and educational materials to under-resourced schools
• Trained hundreds of youth in digital skills and computer literacy
• Supported orphans and vulnerable children, including operating the Dream Again Home from 2014 to 2018, which provided care for 21 children who lost their parents to Ebola

Our Structure

Develop Africa operates as a dual-country organization:

United States: Our headquarters in Johnson City, Tennessee, handles governance, fundraising, donor relations, and strategic oversight. Founder and President Sylvester Renner leads U.S. operations.

Sierra Leone: Our Country Director leads program implementation, student monitoring, community partnerships, and on-the-ground logistics.

We're governed by a Board of Directors that provides strategic guidance and accountability. We maintain 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status (EIN: 20-3836551), meaning donations are tax-deductible for U.S. donors.

Why We're Different

We're relationship-driven, not transaction-driven. Scholarship isn't a one-time check. It's a multi-year covenant that includes mentoring, monitoring, and mutual accountability.

We focus on education as infrastructure. We're not running relief programs. We're building human capital that generates returns long after our involvement ends.

We understand context. We're working with Sierra Leoneans who know their communities, cultures, and challenges.

We measure impact, not just activity. We track student outcomes — not just how many scholarships we give, but whether students complete school, gain employment, and become contributors to their communities.

We're lean and efficient. We don't carry bloated overhead. Funds go directly to programs because we operate with the discipline of stewards.

How You Can Partner With Us

Individual Donors: Sponsor a student, fund digital skills training, or support our general operations. A $300 scholarship changes a life. A $1,000 donation equips a computer lab.

Foundations and Institutions: We're actively seeking multi-year grants that enable us to scale impact. We're particularly interested in funders focused on international education, girls' empowerment, and workforce development in West Africa.

Corporate Partners: If your company values education, technology access, or global development, let's explore partnership opportunities.

Churches and Faith Communities: Our work is grounded in biblical stewardship principles. If your congregation is seeking a trusted partner in Africa, we'd welcome a conversation.

Looking Ahead

We're pursuing strategic expansion:

• Scaling digital skills training to meet demand for tech-literate workers
• Launching vocational pathways that create immediate employment
• Strengthening alumni networks so graduates become mentors and advocates
• Expanding partnerships with local schools, businesses, and government agencies

The vision that started on Howe Street in 2003 hasn't changed. We still believe that human resource development is the key to nation-building. We still believe that education is the pathway from dependency to dignity.

Join us. Visit developafrica.org to learn more, donate, or sponsor a student today.