African Girls Leadership Initiative

PRÉCIS

And...we're back! Liberia is back on its feet after experiencing one year of the outbreak of the deadly EBOLA Virus Disease (EVD). Life is returning to normality with students hastening to recover from the major setbacks in school activities. In mid-2014, fear and trauma took over the lives of all in Liberia. Students could not go to school due to fear of group gathering, which was one of the easiest ways of contracting the EVD. Not only were schools shut down, but the entire educational system and process was grounded. Now that Liberia has been declared EBOLA-free, other ancillary school/extra-curricular activities are beginning to resume. Due to this progress, the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa (GPFA) has also recommenced its full assembly of educational programs – after engaging in EBOLA related interventions.

Since Liberia was declared EBOLA-free, GPFA has gotten involved in a host of activities geared towards de-traumatizing the students of the harrowing effects of the EVD. During this period, we brought together several of our beneficiaries under the African Girls Leadership Initiative (AGLI). The essence of the gathering was to formulate new ideas for development and progress for the post-EVD era. Our beneficiaries exchanged views on the kinds of school activities they would like to see in the post-EVD era. The girls also shared views of the challenges they faced during and after the outbreak of the EBOLA virus. Also, other issues affecting their growth and development were highlighted during the discussion.

GPFA RECRUITS NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

GPFA’s flagstaff main focus is to empower women. In so doing, we also provide educational, financial, social and relevant opportunities to especially, vulnerable women and girls across Liberia.  We prepare women and girls for both local and international opportunities in different field of studies and careers. In April this year, the Dublin City University (DCU) in Dublin, Ireland, established a Master’s Scholarship opportunity in honor of Nobel Laureate Leymah Gbowee, for a female student to enroll into either their Masters of Arts degree in International Security and Conflict Studies, or, in Development Studies.  Several motivated young Liberian female students applied to be considered for the scholarship.  After 3 competitive rounds of interviews that included a Skype interview process with DCU Officials, a successful candidate was finalized upon.  Tennen, the fortunate candidate holds a Bachelor Degree in Mass Communication from the African Methodist Episcopal University and dreams of working to enhance the state of women and war affected people in the world, especially considering her childhood life in a refugee camp. For Tennen this dream will soon become a reality having been given the opportunity to pursue a Masters in International Security and Conflict Studies at the DCU in Ireland.

INTERNSHIP PLACEMENT

Georgia, our international Master Program Scholar at the University of Arkansas - Clinton School of Public Service is back in Liberia to carry out an approved internship over the summer break. In so doing, Georgia is fulfilling the part of her responsibilities as a contracted GPFA beneficiary that speaks to giving back to the community through service. Also, during their scholarship period, beneficiaries are required to volunteer or intern with GPFA. Georgia, who is pursuing her Master in Public Service, is interning with GFA and the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS), carrying out Programmatic Impact Assessment for both entities.

AGLI 2^nd MALE STUDENT COMMENCES INTERNSHIP AT GPFA

Prince, GPFA’s second male student on the AGLI program commenced his first semester studying Accounting at the Cuttington University in Bong County. Prince spent his first semester break interning at our head office in Congo Town and proved very valuable to the Program Department.

PEACE THROUGH FAIR PLAY (PTFP)

GPFA is preparing to host its Peace through Fair Play (PTFP) Annual Youth camp, after one year of postponement due to the Ebola outbreak. PTFP is one of GPFA’s development programs which bring together young people between the ages of 10-16. These youths come from many diverse backgrounds. The goal of PTFP youth camp is to promote respect, integrity and accountability as basis for fostering peace among youth in Liberia. The 2015 youth camp is expected to bring together 40 young people for a four-day Day camp.

APPRECIATION

We are very grateful to all our many partners who continue to support us even during our difficult health crisis. Every support given makes a great difference in the life of our beneficiaries and your donations have contributed to getting us where we are as an organization today. Additional value and hopes have been given to the lives of our beneficiaries, all because of the benevolent donations through partners like you from our GlobalGiving family. Since the reopening of schools, the Foundation has placed a total of 30 students in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in and out of Monrovia. We would love to hear back from you as to your thoughts on the work we are doing and how best we can continue making impact in the life of our target demography. Thanks ever so much for believing is our mission.