A new collaboration with UNICEF to bridge the digital divide in Sierra Leone
In a significant step towards empowering youth and bridging the digital divide in Sierra Leone, we joined forces with UNICEF to launch a new series of digital literacy courses. This partnership aims to equip young learners with essential digital skills, fostering greater inclusion in the rapidly evolving technological landscape.
The journey began with a pivotal meeting held at the UNICEF Office in Freetown on November 22. Representatives from both the ST Foundation and UNICEF convened for an intensive full-day session to chart the path forward. The teams agreed on conducting a thorough joint audit of ten Digital Unify Labs spread across Sierra Leone. These labs serve as hubs for digital learning and innovation, and the audit was intended to identify the most suitable locations for UNICEF’s pilot phase.
Ansarul Islamic College Lab
Among the labs considered were Sheriff Aid Foundation Lab, Holy Family School Lab, and Ansarul Islamic College Lab, organizations with which we work and have ongoing collaborations.
The audit process was meticulous, focusing on infrastructure, accessibility, and the potential impact each lab could have on the local community.
The very next day, the UNICEF team presented the audit findings. After careful evaluation, five labs were selected to participate in the pilot phase of the project. This decision marked a critical milestone, setting the stage for the next steps in the initiative.
During this follow-up meeting, we agreed on a strategic plan to recruit and train Digital Champions who would lead the courses and inspire their peers. The agreed-upon action points included promotion to recruit Digital Champions at the selected schools involved in the pilot, setting application and interview deadlines to streamline the recruitment process, conducting interviews to select qualified candidates, and organizing a Boot Camp training session for the Digital Champions, scheduled for the second week of January 2026.
Holy Family School Lab
“This initiative represents more than just a series of courses; it is a commitment to transforming education and digital access in Sierra Leone” said Mohamed Dumbuya, ST Foundation representative in Sierra Leone. “By empowering Digital Champions, the project aims to create a ripple effect, where knowledge and skills spread throughout communities, opening doors to new opportunities”.