Tri-Cities Man Works to Improve Children’s Lives in Africa

By Melissa Hipolit

Published: December 14, 2008

Sylvester Renner was born in Sierra Leone in West Africa.  He moved to the United States with his wife in 1995 to get his MBA, and found a job at ETSU.  He then returned home for a visit to the capital city, Freetown, three years ago.  “There were so many people who were asking for help, and the situation was really destitute,“ said Renner.  When Sylvester and his wife returned to Johnson City, they could not ignore what they had seen.  “This is terrible, I mean, we have to do something about it.  I mean, we live our lives here in the US and we’re isolated,“ said Renner.  So, they decided to start the non-profit “Develop Africa.  “We started out of my basement, and we outgrew that,“ said Renner.  Over the past three years, the Renner’s have raised enough money through donations to provide fifteen children in grades sixth through twelfth with scholarship money.  To find out more, click play above.