DAKAR, SENEGAL

WASHINGTON FELLOWSHIP 2013-2014

SIDI DENG Sidi Deng has over five years of experience working directly with communities focusing on education and empowerment for girls. As the Communications Officer for Community Africa he frequently travels to the rural communities of Western and Eastern Uganda conducting interviews with the program stakeholders for fundraising purposes. This has enabled him to identify with and analyze the challenges of education and livelihood in the grassroots communities. Sidi is also the Founder and Chief of Party of Dakar Empowerment Foundation, an NGO that focuses on girls, women and children through dynamic programs that directly involve, empower and benefit rural communities in Eastern Senegal. Having been educated by an American family, he is helping the rural girls in his community attain education by connecting them with sponsors and mentors from across the globe who educate and nurture their dreams. He is also a youth Minister for his tribal community in Eastern Senegal, a community of over 700,000 people. He is skilled in fundraising, technology and communications, including multiple social media outlets. Sidi holds a BS in Information Technology from Makerere University, a Diploma in Satellite and Internet Delivery of Educational Television and Multimedia from U.S. Telecommunication Training Institute, and a Certificate in New Media, Citizen Journalism and Empowerment by World Pulse, an online action media network powered by women from 190 countries. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Community Africa, Uganda (3/2011 Present) Communications Officer, Dakar, Senegal Responsible for photography, videos, editing and production of fundraising tools, and website update and maintenance Coordinates the collection and distribution of letters, photographs and updates from Ugandan schools which are linked to schools in the UK Works with the UK fundraising team and local program staff providing support in acquisition of online and offline tools for fundraising Supports the development and implementation of Community Africas Communications Strategy in line with local, national and UK priorities Taps into the national and local media to increase Community Africas visibility in Senegal using the most appropriate and targeted approaches Handles social media marketing (Facebook, Twitter, Skype, blogs, YouTube) Produces communication materials (brochures, leaflets, stickers, etcetera) to profile Community Africas work in Senegal Administers the online resource center including writing reports

Dakar Empowerment Foundation, (11/2011 Present) Founder and Chief of Party, Dakar, Senegal Coordinates all of the programs and ensures steady progress Connects rural Senegalese girls to Mentors from across the globe through social media and networks, and has connected 66 girls who are now attending secondary and tertiary institutions Coordinates and maintains positive relationships between the Mentors and the Mentees and all donors Responsible for financial management and accountability Oversees the operations and human resources management Publicizes and campaigns using social networks Global Health and HIV/AIDS Initiative Senegal (3/2008 2/2011) ICT and Media (Public Relations) Officer, Dakar, Senegal Maintained and updated ICT Equipment and Help Desk support Led workshops and trainings on ICT and Public Relations Management Designed, updated and maintained website Marketed through use of internet communication systems and social networks such as Facebook, group emails, blogs, Twitter, YouTube, etcetera Managed media publications (television, radio, newspaper) COMMUNITY OR VOLUNTEER WORK (non-paid) English Teacher, Dakar Grand Mosque, 2011 - present Work in small groups to assist students with English language skills EDUCATION & TRAINING U.S. Telecommunication Training Institute (USTTI), Washington, DC, United States, (12/2010) Diploma in Satellite and Internet Delivery of Educational Television and Multimedia Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal, (1/2008) BS, Information Technology (BIT) AWARDS & HONORS Employee Recognition, Community Africa, December 2012, Dakar, Senegal Received a recognition award for exceptional performance as Communications Officer. SKILLS Languages: French (Native), Wolof (Native), English (Advanced Proficiency) Computer: Microsoft Office applications, Web design, online networking, Hardware-Software Maintenance, Experience with Windows NT, Windows 2000/2003/2007, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Linux, Windows 8