Our presence in Sierra Leone is a story of perseverance, progress, and purpose. We founded Bridge the Digital Divide – Sierra Leone (BDD-SL) in 2017 and from its humble beginnings, this NGO has grown to become the leading digital skills training provider in the country, bridging the gap between aspirations and opportunities.
As member of the Digital Transformantion Centres (an initiative started by ITU in 2019) we, at the ST Foundation, responded to the call to action to support the implementation of new Digital Unify Computers Lab across the country and train the chosen trainers.
This November we celebrate a milestone that underscores our commitment to this journey—the completion of our 51st Digital Unify computer lab, proudly situated at the Don Bosco Fambul headquarters in Freetown, where we first will train trainers and consequently deliver the courses to the Don Bosco beneficiaries.
For years, Don Bosco Fambul has been known as a refuge for vulnerable youth and a place of hope. Now, it will also become a gateway to the digital world, offering tools and skills that can unlock new horizons. “This lab is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together to uplift the youth. It is more than just a room with computers; it is a space of new beginnings and opportunities,” Rev. Father shared.
Don Bosco Rev. Father (on the right) handshaking with the BDDL-SL Director (on the left) during the inauguration ceremony.
The installation process was marked by the blend of expertise and enthusiasm our ST Foundation- BDD-SL teams has perfected over the years. By the day’s end, the room had been transformed: rows of computers stood ready, screens mirroring the anticipation in the eyes of the staff and children who would soon use them.
Staff members from both ST Foundation-BDD-SL and Don Bosco Fambul exchanged smiles of mutual achievement—we all know that this lab symbolizes empowerment, self-reliance, and the breaking of barriers that had stood for too long.
We took a creative approach to promote these courses by organizing a motorbike rally called “Riding for Change.” This rally journeyed through villages and towns across the district, spreading the word about digital training opportunities and engaging residents of all ages. If you want to know more about this story, click here.
Our activities in Sierra Leone
Since 2009, we have been enhancing Sierra Leone’s educational infrastructure through the Digital Unify (DU) Program. Starting with four DU labs in Freetown, the program expanded to major cities, towns, and remote villages. Today, we operate 51 DU centers in collaboration with local partners, coordinated by the NGO “Bridge the Digital Divide Sierra Leone”, which we founded in 2017.
By mid-2024, we had reached over 300,000 beneficiaries.