Unlocking Africa's Economic Potential Through Digital Transformation

Unlocking Africa’s Economic Potential Through Digital Transformation

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At a Glance

  • Only 7% of African microenterprises currently use digital tools (Digital Transformation).
  • Digital technologies can drive a 2.8x increase in productivity, 6x higher sales, and nearly double the workforce size for microenterprises.
  • Barriers such as high costs, limited digital literacy, and gender disparities hinder adoption.
  • DreamDay Technology Limited, based in Sierra Leone, is empowering entrepreneurs and youth through cutting-edge tech solutions, including online platforms like DreamDay University and innovative programs like the DreamDay Technology Fellowship.
  • Closing the digital divide is critical for fostering inclusive growth and unlocking Africa’s full economic potential.

Africa’s entrepreneurial spirit is a dynamic force driving its economies forward, with microenterprises forming the backbone of economic activity across the continent. Yet, a vast well of potential remains untapped due to the limited adoption of digital technologies. A joint 2023 survey by the IFC and the World Bank across seven African countries revealed that only 7% of African microenterprises currently use digital tools. This stark figure underscores the need for a digital revolution to unlock the true potential of these businesses.

Digital technologies can do more than streamline operations—they can catalyze growth, enhance efficiency, and create jobs. This article dives into the benefits of digital adoption, explores the barriers holding microenterprises back, and outlines actionable strategies to bridge the digital divide.

The Digital Advantage: Transforming Businesses

The transformative power of digital adoption is undeniable. According to a survey involving 3,300 microenterprises, businesses that embraced digital tools reported striking results:

  • 2.8x increase in productivity
  • 6x higher sales
  • Nearly double the workforce size

For instance, microenterprises using accounting software achieved median monthly sales of $4,038, compared to just $315 for non-users. These figures highlight how digital technologies can revolutionize operations, foster innovation, and fuel economic growth.

Barriers to Digital Adoption: What’s Holding Back Progress?

Despite these benefits, significant barriers hinder the widespread adoption of digital tools. One striking finding from the survey is that 70.8% of microenterprise owners see no need for internet-enabled technologies. This highlights a critical gap in awareness about the potential of digital tools.

Other notable challenges include:

  • High cost of internet access (34.8%)
  • Lack of knowledge about digital tools (33.7%)
  • Limited availability of internet services (19.8%)

These barriers underscore the need for accessible infrastructure, affordable services, and widespread education to close the digital gap.

Actionable Strategies to Empower Microenterprises

To enable African microenterprises to embrace digital tools, stakeholders must take decisive action. Here’s how:

  1. Make Technology Affordable: Subsidizing devices and data plans can significantly reduce financial barriers, enabling more entrepreneurs to invest in digital solutions.
  2. Tailor Digital Skills Training: Practical, user-friendly training programs in local languages can empower business owners to confidently adopt and utilize technology.
  3. Promote Digital Literacy: Sharing success stories and debunking myths about digitalization can encourage hesitant entrepreneurs to take the leap.
  4. Develop User-Friendly Apps: Designing intuitive, relevant, and localized apps ensures that technology is accessible to all.

Closing the Gender Gap in Digital Adoption

A concerning gender disparity emerges in digital tool usage among microenterprises. The survey reveals that men are 3.3 times more likely to use computers and 2.4 times more likely to leverage the internet for supplier searches than women.

Empowering female entrepreneurs through targeted training, access to resources, and inclusive policies is critical to fostering a balanced digital economy. Bridging this gap will unlock untapped potential and drive inclusive growth across the continent.

DreamDay Technology Limited: Leading the Charge in Digital Transformation

At the forefront of Africa’s digital transformation is DreamDay Technology Limited, a Freetown-based company dedicated to empowering youth and entrepreneurs with innovative tech solutions since 2019. By addressing educational and employment gaps, DreamDay is playing a pivotal role in fostering socio-economic progress.

DreamDay Technology has trained over 1,000 individuals, ranging from students to entrepreneurs, equipping them with essential digital skills to thrive in today’s economy.

DreamDay Technology Fellowship

This flagship program supports 20 young entrepreneurs in Sierra Leone, providing digital training, mentorship, and a network for collaboration. By targeting non-profits, social enterprises, and female-owned businesses, the fellowship fosters innovation and competitiveness while creating a robust IT infrastructure for startups.

DreamDay Technology Podcast

The DreamDay Technology Podcast bridges the digital divide by sharing insights into how technology is revolutionizing businesses and communities. With episodes targeting entrepreneurs, small business owners, and tech enthusiasts, the podcast empowers listeners with tools and strategies to embrace digital innovation.

Building an Inclusive Digital Future

Digital transformation in Africa is no longer just an opportunity—it’s a necessity. By addressing barriers and promoting inclusivity, stakeholders can help shape a future where microenterprises thrive.

Investing in infrastructure, digital literacy, and gender-inclusive strategies will ensure these businesses are equipped to embrace the digital age. The result? Economic progress, job creation, and lasting social change across Africa.

Are you ready to be part of the solution?

Join the movement to bridge the digital divide and unlock Africa’s full potential. Together, we can create a future that is innovative, inclusive, and prosperous for all.

Kharifa Abdulai Kumara, Founder and Director of DreamDay Technology

The story of Kharifa Abdulai Kumara By Aurora Foundation

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Publication website: https://www.aurorafoundation.is/en/frettir/nr/the-story-of-kharifa-abdulai-kumara/

Kharifa Abdulai Kumara was part of the second cohort of Aurora Foundation’s pre-acceleration programme in 2020-2021 and has achieved remarkable milestones. Kharifa was so kind to sit down with us and narrate his experience of the programme and his journey since then, and we want to share his success story with you.

When he joined the programme he says he only had an idea of what he wanted to develop. But after finishing the programme he launched an e-learning and e-library database under the name of DreamDay Technology Limited. He is the founder and director, and it has been growing steadily, and now, he has a team of four people working for him. He says his main challenge was getting his ideas out in the market, which is something Aurora helped him a lot with, he recounts.

Kharifa registered DreamDay Technology Limited as a private company in 2020. He is currently working on creating a partnership with an HR consultancy for a recruitment system that will be an addition to the e-learning and e-library databases that DreamDay Technology Limited now possesses. Kharifa thanks the Aurora Foundation for the learning experience he had during the pre-acceleration programme, and he describes that having an idea is different from implementing, it is really not the same as he states, and he gives thanks to Aurora for the successes that he has achieved.

One of his most recent successes was earning the second prize in an ICT business plan competition held by the German company Für Sierra Leone (FSL), which operates in Sierra Leone, last December. The second prize meant that DreamDay Technology Limited received 2,000 USD and a notebook.

Kharifa strives to make the lives and experiences of university students and new graduates better by, for example, expanding their learning resources, increasing their employability, and assisting in the job search. We at Aurora take pride in working with ambitious and successful young people who want to make a social impact, like Kharifa, and we wish him all the best for a successful continuation!

Kharifa Abdulai Kumara, Founder and Director of DreamDay Technology
Kharifa Abdulai Kumara, Founder and Director of DreamDay Technology

Step by Step Free WordPress Training for Business and Individuals

Step by Step Free WordPress Training for Business and Individuals

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WordPress Meetup Sierra Leone is organized by DreamDay Technology to help Entrepreneurs and Individuals.

If you are a Blogger, Entrepreneur, or Student must have tried every platform to express yourself or your business fully and completely. And if you are in any of the categories above, you fall into either or one of the following:

  • You know you need a website, but just haven’t got the time to make that happen, or
  • You already have a website but you secretly know that it’s not what it should be.

The Sierra Leone WordPress Meetup will assist you in answering such concerns.

WordPress was first released in 2003 and has since grown to become the most popular website building tool (Content Management System), accounting for 39.5 percent of all websites and 62 percent of all websites built with content management systems (CMS).

If you’re trying very hard to figure out the best tool for developing your website for your business, or if you want to learn how to design websites as a freelancer or to help you get employment, here are a few things to keep you motivated:

  • Free of Cost:

Yes! Yes, you read that correctly. WordPress is a free platform. It is free to download, install on your website or a local server, and then do anything you want with it. Being the owner of a small company.

  • Easy to manage

Creating a new business website is now easier than you can imagine; you don’t need any programming skills, and if you can use Microsoft Word, you can use WordPress like a pro.

By downloading local servers and starting to develop for free, you may now use WordPress with or without internet connectivity. In less than 10 minutes, you’ll have your website up and running. You don’t have to start from scratch; instead, you can use pre-made templates to import into your website for free and begin customizing the content.

  • Customizable

One of the many reasons people prefer WordPress over others is because it offers Several adjustable options, including themes for changing the look of your website and plugins for adding new functionality.

And you don’t need to employ a technician or an expert to do it; you can update the information on your website and make it seem exactly as you want it to without paying a professional website developer.

You’ll be able to make video galleries and slide shows, as well as a variety of other types of designs.

  • Media Support and Mobile Friendly

It’s simple to create a responsive website design with WordPress, and it just takes a few clicks to turn your website into an application in minutes.

Conclusion

Working with WordPress is the finest move you can make to improve your business and personal skills.

You can do everything with WordPress, and I strongly suggest it to all beginners who want to establish a business website or start writing blog posts, as well as apply the expertise for employment.

DreamDay Technology is organizing a two-day free WordPress development lass for developers, entrepreneurs, and students to learn how to create websites locally and online using free and paid tools. Take advantage of the opportunity; there are just a few spaces available.

To receive free premium plugins and themes, attend both days and arrive on time.

Application Details

Friday & Saturday
18-19 Feb. 2022

Time
2:00pm – 5:00pm

Deadline: 17th Feb. 2022 – 5:00 PM

Apply Now
Kharifa Abdulai Kumara, Founder and Director of DreamDay Technology Limited on the left and Mr. Joseph Cole Jr. (Managing Director) FSL Company on the right

DreamDay Technology Limited Wins ICT Business Plan Competition

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Caritas National Office, Kingtom, Freetown: Wednesday, 22nd December 2021 – DreamDay Technology Limited, a youth-led start-up ICT Company that specializes in web design, e-commerce, mobile apps development, digital advertising, web portals, graphics, logo design, and a host of other ICT services took second place in the ICT Business Plan Competition organized by Für Sierra Leone.

DreamDay Technology is dedicated to researching various challenges in the educational sector and finding tech-based solutions to address them, with i) an eLearning component that supplements students’ in-class experience by allowing them to sign up for free online classes from lecturers and academia from the most well-known universities and colleges, ii) An eLibrary offering access to educational resources and iii) Dream Job is a recruitment management system, a site that links both candidates and recruiters, cutting down hiring time with powerful search filters and recommended matches.

The award ceremony kicked off with a welcome address and prayers led by Simeon Harding, Project Manager, FSL Business Plan Competition, 2021. He welcomed all and sundry. Before the announcement of the winner for the 2021 ICT Business Plan Competition, he encouraged all to be calm and celebrate and cheer with those who will emerge as winners, and continue to work hard to improve on the various aspects of their business plan. “You might just be the next winner,” he said.

Eighty-one ICT start-up companies applied and after the screening of the business plans summited, fourteen companies qualified for the second rounds of the competition. Following this, an interview was conducted on Wednesday, 15th December 2021. A week later, seven companies qualified for the final rounds of the competition and were invited to an awarding ceremony during which prizes were presented to the first, second, and third winners. Joseph Cole Jr., Managing Director of FSL presented letters of confirmation to the founders and CEOs of the three companies who emerged winners for the 2021 Business Plan Competition. The company which took third place, Dope Mall was awarded $ 2,250 plus a laptop computer ($ 1,750 funds + 1 notebook), second place winner, DreamDay Technology Limited was awarded $ 2,500 plus a laptop computer ($ 2,000 funds + 1 notebook), and first place winner, IFA (Kargoplus) was awarded $ 3,000 plus a laptop computer ($ 2,500 funds + 1 notebook).

Names of successful companies on display
Names of successful companies on display

Joachim Geitner, Chairman of the board based in Germany was the keynote speaker of the ceremony who joined via Skype call. In his keynote address to the seven finalists, he, first of all, congratulated the three successful companies and promised to work with them closely to ensure their companies become successful and produce other companies which will create employment for young people. He said further that besides these prizes, FSL will lay out a one-year support program for these companies beginning January 2022 to end in December 2022. He encouraged founders who made it to the final stage but didn’t emerge as one of the three winners to keep up hopes and believe that one day it will be their turn. He promised to meet with all seven companies when he comes to Sierra Leone early next year.

Kharifa Abdulai Kumara, Founder and Director of DreamDay Technology Limited on the left and Mr. Joseph Cole Jr. (Managing Director) FSL Company on the right
Kharifa Abdulai Kumara, Founder and Director of DreamDay Technology Limited on the left and Mr. Joseph Cole Jr. (Managing Director) FSL Company on the right

DDT Communications Office

Telephone: +232 76 111668 / +232 77 310220
Email: saidu.sesay@dreamdaytech-sl.com

Job Readiness Grooming - Sierra Leone

Job Readiness Grooming – Sierra Leone

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More than ever before, there is a huge skill gap between students’ qualifications and the requirement needed by hiring companies or employers. The Job Readiness Grooming is being organized by Leaders’ College, and the workshop is designed to get final year students, recent graduates and youth leaders ready to acquire jobs with all the relevant skills needed by employers.

The workshop will target and connects a maximum of 50 participants to a community of supportive peers at Leaders’ College and its partners for an ongoing career development programme, in the field of tech, leadership and entrepreneurship. It provides opportunities to actively practice skills like building an effective résumé/CV and preparing for a technical interview, entrepreneurship, leadership, effective communication,/public speaking and presentation skills, and other soft skills etc.

It will also include the launching of two online platforms by DreamDay Technology Limited that will provide a different yet digital approach to free education for students in Sierra Leone.

DreamDay Technology is a company that is dedicated to solving different challenges in the educational sector using ICT, as the country mostly relies on a traditional method of learning. Therefore, getting a quality education with access to educational materials is a challenge in Sierra Leone.

The online platforms includes;

  1. A web-based online learning management system (DreamDay University)
  2. An advanced online library (Salone Repository), launched in November of 2020.

The program is 100% free to attend and will run from 27th to 29th May 2021, starting at 09:30 am- 1:00 pm to 1 pm daily… The program is designed in such a way that participants will Learn-By-Doing (LBD) through completing assignments, presenting and participating in group works. Desktop computers will be available to all participants for use throughout the program at the Leaders’ College lab facility.

Upon successful completion of all requirement of training, participants will be issued a “Certificate of Training” by Leaders College a minimal fee payment will be required to receive hard copies of certificate and accreditations to prove that completion of training.

Contact: +232 79 587818 / +232 76 111668
Venue: Leader’s College Campus, 20 Alpha Terrace, K-Step, Calaba Town, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Partners: Life After University Graduates Forum, & Leaders’ College

Salone Repository (E-Learning)

Interview with Cordcord Times Newspaper About the Launch of the First Online Library in Sierra Leone

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Publication Link: http://slconcordtimes.com/first-salone-online-library-to-be-launched-today/

Founder and Director, DreamDay Technology, Kharifa Abdulai Kumara, has told Concord Times that he will today officially launch the first ever electronic library in Sierra Leone.

He said his platform – ‘Salone Repository, is an e-library that will give people the opportunity to publish and collect learning materials including dissertations from Sierra Leone that can positively contribute to other students and institutions.      

Speaking in an exclusive interview, Kharifa Abdulai Kumara,said they have developed an online platform that aims to solve solutions in the educational sector in the country.

He said they currently have two projects- DreamDay University, which is an electronic learning platform that allows university students and busy workers to attend lectures online.

He said their second project- Salone Repository’ is an online library allows people to do publications online so as to attract more readership.

He said the online library also allows people to access books, published dissertations from universities across Sierra Leone.

He observed that Sierra Leone is behind in terms of Information Technology (IT) in which the world is moving, noting that the emergence of COVID-19 has taught Sierra Leone a lesson that the country should go digital.

Kumara continued that their e-learning and online library will create significant impact, stating that it is difficult to find any dissertation from Sierra Leone online, even though they are valid with a potential to solve problems for other students and institutions.

He called on the government and other organizations to come on board and support his initiative for the benefit of the country.

He said the platform is too light and one doesn’t need to spend much mega bite to access and download from their website.

According to him, they have written to mobile companies operating in the country and government ministries so that they could partner, but that they were yet to receiving any reply from those companies.

He said they are officially launching the online library which will officially be opened to the public and that anybody who has material can share it on the platform.

Our Contacts:
Email: info@salonrepository.sl 
Company Website: https://dreamdaytech-sl.com/
Tel: +232 76 111668 / +232 77 422504 / +232 31 027842
Official link to the Library:  https://salonrepository.sl

DreamDay University

A Boost to the Educational System in Sierra Leone – DreamDay University

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A smart statement from my distant mentor, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), whom I have never met.

“They like to say the future of Africa is in the youth. I disagree. The now of Africa is in the youth, in particular if you are a female. Our expectation is that we have to transform Sierra Leone. We as the youth, we are the problem-solvers, we are the entrepreneurs, there’s nobody who’s coming to save us. It’s us. So, let’s look within and get it done.”

This is completely true, but how will we achieve it if we don’t have the necessary rules in place and young people with creative ideas don’t have access to funding or a listening ear?

No matter how large the idea is, it’s worthless if you don’t have the necessary connections in Sierra Leone. eg: DreamDay University

A web-based online learning management system. As the first and only free online learning management systems (distance learning) in Sierra Leone, we will work with universities, colleges, and academia on course creation and delivery.

DreamDay University is not a fully functioning university, but the idea is to complement the Government’s “free quality education” theme as well as to help promote the educational services using the

internet as a better and easier solution that will allow students to take free online courses, anywhere and at any time. As the most effective option for students that gives them more flexibility and access to courses and course materials at any time and place of their choosing. It will increase the student retention rate by 60% compared to 25% in the traditional method of learning.

DreamDay University will target:

  • Students that are preparing to enter university or college;
  • Students who cannot afford college fees but still want to take classes on their dream course;
  • Continue students that want to understand their courses better by taking courses from other lecturers in other universities;
  • Workers who want to improve their knowledge but are too busy to attend daily classes;
  • Host training courses for companies and organizations for staff to access

i.e., HR companies creating courses on HR-related and entrepreneurship etc. or Associations or Societies e.g., the National Youth Service (NYS) can create training courses for youth nationwide or the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) can create courses for all journalists throughout the country.

We will be able to reach these students regardless of geographical location, financial status, religion, tribe, and political limitations.

SALONE REPOSITORY

It’s a repository, library, and archive all rolled into one. It’s an institutional repository that can also serve as an archive for gathering, maintaining, and disseminating digital copies of institutions’ intellectual output, especially research institutions.

Institutions all across the world have begun to transform their paper papers into electronic formats like HTML or PDF, which individuals may browse online and print if necessary.

Prof. Joe A.D Ali, for example, has spent decades working to reform Sierra Leone’s educational system through his writing; presently, a few of his books and papers may be found in libraries and bookstores, but how long will those libraries and bookstores maintain the tangible copies?

With Salone Repository, students can:

  • Students can use the repository to publish their theses/dissertations
  • Writers can host their books, articles, journals, poems, and other works
  • Educational news will be published and documented
  • Scholarship publications can be made
  • Users have 24/7 unlimited access to the library

CONCLUSION

This idea is meant to complement the government’s “FREE and Quality Education” initiative by promoting educational services via the internet as a better and more convenient option, allowing students to attend free online courses from anywhere and at any time.

For Sierra Leone, as a developing country, the internet offers a wide range of opportunities.

This will aid in the promotion of education from an online perspective for higher educational institutions, tertiary and other academic institutions, and stakeholders, and it will be a step forward in bridging the gaps between the traditional educational system and internet-based educational services.

DreamDay University does not only allow students to take courses online but will also allow them to research and publish their dissertations, books, articles, magazines, journals, and more through DreamDay University’s online research center (Salone Repository).

We cherish and appreciate any sponsorship, partnership, or assistance that will help us achieve our visions and goals of providing 100% free online access to everyone.

To Dr. Sengeh and anyone ready this, I believe that the feature of Africa can only be the youth if we have the necessary resources to develop our ideas. We are seeking to expand our reach and goals of access to the greater students and viewership if we have the necessary support needed.

Published by:
Kharifa Abdulai Kumara
Founder & Director
DreamDay Technology Limited

Why Distance Learning

Why Distance Learning?

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The popularity of distance learning is beginning to grow. However, when it comes to using it, most are still hesitant.

Distance learning has long been associated with the idea that it is just for those who cannot afford to attend higher institutions. It is no longer targeted at a certain social, ethnic, economic, or racial group, and its popularity has grown in recent years among all of these groups.

Let’s look at a few reasons why distant learning can help you study and reach your goals.

What Exactly is Distance Learning?

Lectures are disseminated via correspondence in distance learning. All of the material, assignments, and study aids are available online or by mail. Except for when you write tests, you don’t need to travel to a campus. This implies that you have complete control on when you study and complete your assignments. You’d have due dates for these assignments and specified exam dates, but it’s entirely up to you when you study and work. Because with distance learning, you can learn from the comfort of your own home regardless of your age, race, ethnic group, or income.

Given up on a Qualification?

It is not uncommon for someone who wishes to study to be unable to do so due to a lack of transportation. It could be due to family circumstances (sick parent, children, career, protective parents, finances, etc.) or the physical distance between the higher institution and the student. You won’t have to worry about any of these concerns with distant learning. You could do it from a little town where few people go if you wanted to. You’ll be able to keep yourself and your family pleased in this manner.

You may believe that without the structure of classes, you are not committed enough to self-study and work. Perhaps you have an inherent aversion to distance learning. But here’s the catch: there’s a twist. Most long-distance learning institutes have tutors and lecturers on hand to answer your queries and encourage you on your distant learning journey.

Benefits of Distance Learning

Perhaps you think you’re too old or haven’t studied in a long time and can’t remember how to study, let alone pass a qualification. Perhaps you believe you simply aren’t a ‘study person,’ that you simply cannot do it, that people move too rapidly for you, or that you become bored easily. So, pay attention. Distance learning allows you to perform the following:

  • Re-watch the same video or reread the same paragraph a million times until it is forever etched into your memory
  •  Slowly ease into things and find your bearings or take as many breaks as you need to get through your work without losing motivation or getting bored
  • Decide your own style of learning and studying. Distance learning is not the same as classroom learning and offers much more freedom
  • Study at home in your own time without incurring extra costs such as traveling expenses
  • Work and earn an income while studying at home after work hours
  • Gain experience while working. Companies often pay for studies through distance learning if you work there as it increases their value. 
  • Achieve all of your goals simultaneously. You do not have to wait to start your career and lose time.
  • Improve your results with distance learning as an alternative or as a gateway to a better education
  • Work at your own pace. You do not have the pressure to keep up to pace as students who attend lectures do, and therefore you can understand your work better.

Convinced, Now What?

Distance learning institutions all around Sierra Leone are stepping up their game to make it easier for you to make the right option and achieve your goals. DreamDay University, for example, offers highly educated and experienced tutors who provide prompt feedback. As the first online learning management system in Sierra Leone, DreamDay University seeks to give the best distance learning education possible.

Distance learning is no longer as frightening as it once was. They are well-equipped and provide services to a wide range of people. It could be the solution to all of your problems. It’s a win-win situation for everyone who wants to work and study without sacrificing too much of their time.

So as you can see, it really is Important

Distance learning, as you can see, is just as vital as any other type of postsecondary or tertiary education. It may be more essential because it reaches out to a bigger audience. As previously stated, distance learning has numerous advantages and can make or change your life. So, rather than believing the cliché, conduct your homework first and make your own conclusion.

Now you know it all!

Don’t dismiss distant learning before giving it a shot. It may not be for everyone, but it just might work for you; you never know how you’ll react unless you’ve been in a position before. If it does not work out, you will have gained expertise in your chosen profession and will be able to assist others in making well-informed judgments about distance learning. DreamDay University correspondence provides a wide range of courses to meet your needs, as well as excellent service and support. 

Call them and see if they can assist you. 

Tel: +232 76 111668
Email: info@dreamdayuniversity.sl