Chozen Generation Sierra Leone (CGSL) has officially launched the second phase of its Basic Computer Skills Training Program, targeting 50 Mercy Ships Day Crew (National Staff).
The program kicks off this week, building on the success of a ground-breaking pilot held earlier this year.
Group 1 of the new phase began training on April 12, with Group 2 scheduled to commence on April 19. Sessions will run every other Saturday and aim to boost digital literacy among participants by enhancing their knowledge of foundational computer use, Microsoft Office applications, internet navigation, digital safety, and basic financial literacy.
The initiative follows a highly successful pilot phase that ran from January to February 2025. That phase trained 100 participants, culminating in a graduation ceremony held on February 26. According to CGSL, the pilot brought about significant improvements in digital competence and personal development.
Before the pilot program, only 9% of participants could apply formulas in Microsoft Excel. By the end of the eight-week training, that number had increased to 69%.
Additionally, confidence in using online platforms such as Google Drive rose dramatically from 2% to 63%. Notably, seven participants were able to save and purchase their own laptops through a savings plan introduced during the budgeting module.
“There was a clear hunger to learn,” said Ellis De Rooij, Project Manager. “Some participants told us that without this program, they might never have touched a computer.”
The training was made possible through a partnership with Mercy Ships, which provided laptops and a dedicated training space on-board their ship. The training approach blended theory with hands-on sessions, culminating in group projects using tools like Google Docs.
The second phase of the program introduces several key improvements based on feedback from the pilot phase. These include smaller group sizes for increased interactivity, enhanced facilitator onboarding for consistent delivery, early peer collaboration to boost participant confidence, and a continued focus on savings plans for laptop ownership.
According to CGSL, the training aligns with Sierra Leone’s broader push for digital development. Despite challenges in access, the organization believes there is immense untapped potential in the country.
“Computer literacy in Sierra Leone lags behind much of the digital world,” noted Jody Ray, a member of the CGSL team. “But I have personally witnessed a strong curiosity and eagerness to learn.If education and access were more widely available, many here would embrace and excel in the digital space.”
CGSL aims to train 1,000 young people over the next two years. The organization plans to expand the program beyond Mercy Ships staff to include university and secondary school students. An advanced course is also in development for graduates of the pilot phase.
With continued support from Mercy Ships and the potential involvement of new partners, CGSL is working toward a digitally empowered generation of Sierra Leoneans one training session at a time.
