By Abdul Razack Gbla
The Orange Digital Centre in Freetown has concluded its 2025 Next Generation Camp, a month-long training program aimed at equipping children with essential digital skills for the future. The initiative, which brought together more than 100 learners aged 7-15, ended with a colorful graduation ceremony at the Centre on August 28.
Supported by the Orange Foundation, the camp provided hands-on training in coding, web development, and 3D printing, using practical, interactive sessions to introduce participants to the basics of digital creativity. The program encouraged teamwork, problem-solving, and innovation, helping children gain confidence in applying technology to real-world ideas.
At the closing ceremony, parents, trainers, and invited guests gathered to celebrate the achievements of the young learners. Highlights included a group of seven-year-olds presenting their first digital projects, and older participants demonstrating simple coding applications they had developed during the camp.
Acting Chief Executive Officer of Orange Sierra Leone, Mamadou Bousso, praised the initiative, describing the graduates as “brilliant young minds with revolutionary thinking.” He noted that the knowledge and skills acquired would help them move beyond being mere consumers of technology to becoming active creators. “The future is yours, go out and shape it,” he told the children.
Guest of honour, Madam Edleen Elba, also commended the participants, urging them to remain focused on self-improvement and to pursue their dreams with courage and determination. “You have not just earned a certificate; you have gained knowledge that will help you navigate an evolving digital world,” she remarked.
Orange Foundation manager, Desmond Spain, and trainer, Samuel Koroma, both applauded the students for their commitment and discipline, and thanked parents for their support throughout the program. Each participant received a certificate of completion, symbolizing not just the end of the camp but the beginning of a lifelong journey in digital learning.
Now in its third year, the Next Generation Camp has grown into one of Sierra Leone’s flagship youth development programs, reinforcing the Orange Digital Centre’s vision of making digital literacy central to human capital development in the country. By nurturing young innovators, the camp is helping to build a foundation for a more tech-driven Sierra Leone.
