Orange Foundation Brings Digital Learning Tools to Remote Schools

On January 27, 2025 the First Lady of Sierra Leone, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, launched the much-anticipated Orange Digital School Kits initiative at the Ansarul Islamic Primary School for Girls in Kono District on Monday, January 27, 2025. This marks a significant milestone in enhancing the digital learning experience for young students across Sierra Leone.

The ceremony, which was held at Dr. Bio’s alma mater, was a heartfelt occasion, bringing together educational stakeholders, government officials, and community members to witness the donation of cutting-edge digital tools aimed at transforming the educational landscape for young girls in Sierra Leone.

Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, together with Sekou Amadou Bah, CEO of Orange Sierra Leone, handed over a comprehensive set of digital school kits to the school. These kits are designed to enhance technological literacy among students and prepare them for the rapidly advancing digital world.

The donation included an array of devices and tools, such as tablets, laptops, Raspberry Pi devices, Bluetooth speakers, projectors, solar-powered equipment, power banks, extension cables, and screens. These resources will enable the pupils to engage in digital learning, providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in an increasingly tech-driven society.

The event also attracted notable figures, including Mayor Komba Mathew Sam of Koidu City, Orange Sierra Leone General Secretary Danetta Younge, and Head of Orange Digital Centre Finnah Mariama Stevens. In addition, local school authorities and community leaders participated in the ceremony, highlighting the collaborative effort to empower students with digital resources.

In her address, Finnah Mariama Stevens emphasized the importance of digital tools in empowering young learners. “From Freetown to Bo, Kenema, and now Kono, the Orange Foundation is ensuring that every child in Sierra Leone has access to the tools they need for today’s world,” Stevens remarked.

She also highlighted the role of Orange Sierra Leone in supporting the government’s human capital development agenda. “The focus is not only on ensuring that students in urban areas have access to technology but also extending these opportunities to remote regions, like Kono,” she added.

CEO of Orange Sierra Leone, Sekou Amadou Bah, also delivered an inspiring message, describing the initiative as a catalyst for educational transformation. “These digital school kits are essentially electronic libraries that will provide educational content to schools, even in areas with limited or no internet access,” Bah said. He also mentioned that the Orange Foundation has already impacted over 10,000 students across Sierra Leone with its Digital School Kits, with the initiative currently benefiting over 1,400 schools and 500,000 pupils across 16 countries.

Sekou Amadou Bah urged the students and teachers to fully utilize the kits to maximize the learning potential. He emphasized, “Technology is a tool for expanding horizons, and these kits will allow you to learn and innovate in new and exciting ways.”

The Mayor of Koidu City, Komba Mathew Sam, praised the initiative and recognized the positive impact it would have on the local community. Reflecting on his own educational experiences, Sam expressed gratitude for the opportunity that the students now have: “I didn’t have access to computers until my college years, but these girls are fortunate to start their education with this vital technology.”

In her keynote address, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio expressed her deep appreciation for the Orange Foundation’s contribution and its alignment with her vision for women’s empowerment and technological education. “Today, we are witnessing the future of education in Sierra Leone,” she said. She stressed the importance of integrating technology into education to better prepare the younger generation for leadership roles.

Dr. Bio encouraged the pupils to pursue education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, inspiring them to challenge societal norms, strive for leadership positions, and reject early marriages in favor of academic and professional success.

In a personal reflection, Dr. Bio credited Ansarul Islamic Primary School for Girls for shaping her journey and emphasized the value of education in her life. “I hope that the tools we are providing today will not just be used for learning, but for empowering you all to think critically and lead the way in innovation,” she said. She also encouraged the students to embrace technology, noting that the digital kits would provide them with opportunities to explore, learn, and innovate.

She concluded her address with a call for gratitude and action: “Today, let us all rise and thank Orange for this wonderful opportunity. I want every student here to say, ‘Thank you, Orange!’ and pledge to make the best use of this opportunity.”

The event culminated in the official handover of the Orange Digital School Kits to the administration of Ansarul Islamic Primary School for Girls. The school authorities assured the gathering that they would take great care in utilizing the digital resources, ensuring their sustainability and impact on the pupils’ learning journeys.

This Orange Foundation initiative is a beacon of hope for young students in Sierra Leone, paving the way for digital literacy and contributing to the country’s educational advancement. By empowering young girls with the tools to excel in a digital world, the program supports Sierra Leone’s broader development goals and strengthens the country’s commitment to education for all.

As the initiative continues to spread across the nation, it is expected to inspire a new generation of leaders who are ready to tackle the challenges of the 21st century with knowledge, skills, and innovation.

Through collaborative efforts like these, Sierra Leone is positioning itself as a trailblazer in digital education, and the partnership with the Orange Foundation will undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy for future generations.