Worldreader wins the US Library of Congress 2023 Literacy Award ➤ https://bit.ly/4825npJ

Sierra Leone

People Reading on Mobile Phones in Sierra Leone: 3,457

People Reading on E-Readers in Sierra Leone: 1,000

Book Languages Available: English (source: Ethnologue)

Sierra Leone Population: 5.7 Million

Sierra Leone GDP: $5.4 Billion

Languages Spoken: Temne, Mende, Krio, Bassa, Bom, BullomSo, English, GolaShow More, Kisi, Klao, Kono, Krim, Kuranko, Limba, Loko, Maninkakan, N’ko, Pular, Sherbro, Susu, Vai, YalunkaHide (source: Ethnologue)

Adult Literacy Rate in Sierra Leone: 48%


Learn about our e-reader programs in Sierra Leone:


FAWE Primary School for Girls
FAWE Primary School for Girls

Location: Freetown, Sierra Leone

Sponsoring Organization: Klintworth Family Foundation

Launch Date: May 2015

Approximate number of students and teachers: 450 students and 19 teachers

Number of devices: 50 Wi-Fi Kindles

Students’ grade level: Primary

Types of books: Storybooks, Textbooks, and Reference Materials

Deployment model: School Library

Students take devices home: NO

The Story: FAWE Primary School for Girls was established in 1995 during the civil war in Sierra Leone. The school was set up to provide education for displaced and under-privileged girls. In May 2011, Develop Africa, in partnership with the FAWE (Forum for African Women Educationalists, Freetown Branch) set up a fully-equipped, multimedia computer lab at the FAWE School for Girls.

The Raining Season Orphanage School
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Location: Freetown, Sierra Leone

Sponsoring Partner: Shawn Xing

Launch Date: September 2015

Approximate number of students and teachers: 105 students and 8 teachers

Number of devices: 25 Kindle 7’s

Students’ grade level: Primary

Types of books: Storybooks, Textbooks, and Reference Materials

Deployment model: School Library

Students take devices home: No

The Story: The Raining Season Orphanage School was established in 2009. It now has approximately of 105 students – from pre-school classes to grade 6. It is a non-profit orphanage school and charges no fees, relying on donations. This project has brought thousands of e-books to the orphanage. With e-readers, students have a great opportunity and resource to supplement their education.

Bumbuna Resource Center
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Location: Bumbuna, Tonkolili District, Sierra Leone

Sponsoring Organization: Street Child

Launch Date: October 2015

Approximate number of students and teachers: 156 students and community members

Number of devices: 25 Kindle 7’s

Students’ grade level: Lower Primary

Types of books: African Storybooks, Math and Science Textbooks, and Phonics Materials

Deployment model: Community Library

Students take devices home: No

The Story: Bumbuna is a rural village about 2 hours drive down a bumpy track from Makeni in Northern Sierra Leone. It sits in a beautiful location near a waterfall and nestles in the verdant Loma Mountains. The Bumbuna Resource Centre is in the midst of the school district: a short walk from 3 primary schools. This project aims to improve educational attainment and inspire a love of reading through the provision of thousands of e-books to primary school students.