Support Children Education in Rural Liberia

INTRODUCTION: 

This report covers recent activities implemented under the Project mentioned above, covering the month under review (April – July 2025). Activities were held in Montserrado County in Liberia. This report reflects on the following: 

2.0 PLANNED ACTIVITIES FOR THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW:

2.1  Business Monitoring & Mentorship

2.2  Project Field Monitoring

2.2.  Recommendation and Conclusion

ACHIEVEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW: 

2.1  Business Monitoring & Mentorship 

As part of the Microloan Program for Parents, Learning Squared Liberia continued to implement its Business Monitoring and Mentorship component. This vital phase builds upon the initial microloan disbursement and business skills training, ensuring participants are adequately supported as they grow their enterprises.

A total of eight women actively engaged in this phase, receiving targeted mentorship, regular monitoring of business activities, basic financial education, and motivational guidance. The mentorship sessions focused on encouraging accountability, business sustainability, and personal growth. These activities were designed not only to track the women’s business performance but also to empower them through practical coaching.

 Throughout the period, the mentors emphasized key areas such as reinvestment strategies, customer service, inventory management, and savings. The aim was to reinforce good business practices and help each woman align her entrepreneurial activities with both family needs and long-term growth.

2.2 Project Field Monitoring

Learning Squared Liberia also conducted the first phase of field monitoring across the selected counties. Unlike the structured mentorship sessions, these visits were implemented twice weekly by the project team to provide on-the-ground support to women-led businesses. 

The field monitoring component was essential for building deeper trust and engagement. During these visits, the team observed business operations, gathered feedback, and offered real-time solutions tailored to the individual challenges of each beneficiary. These sessions often involved informal business assessments, allowing staff to track progress, measure outcomes, and identify early signs of business vulnerability.

Technical support provided during field monitoring included:

Assistance with basic bookkeeping and record-keeping

Practical inventory tracking

One-on-one guidance for financial planning

Success Stories and Observations

Many beneficiaries reported noticeable growth in both their businesses and self-confidence.

Mary, a vendor selling rice and dry goods, reported a 35% increase in weekly sales after applying new pricing strategies and reinvesting in her inventory.

Ma Esther, a single mother of three, successfully saved enough over two months to pay her daughter’s school fees in advance.

 A group of five women in Paynesville formed a mini-savings circle to collectively reinvest and share bulk purchasing power, reducing supply costs.

Challenges and Lessons Learned:

While progress was encouraging, the team also encountered some challenges. Few participants struggled with consistent recordkeeping, due to low literacy or time constraints. To address this, we plan to integrate adult literacy and numeracy and more peer-based support in the next phase.

Some participants in the program have expressed hesitancy toward saving or reinvesting their income, often due to the pressing demands of meeting daily household needs such as food, healthcare, school fees, and other essentials. Recognizing this challenge, the Learning Squared project team has developed a multi-faceted strategy that balances short-term household stability with long-term income generation and growth. To accommodate varying income levels and household priorities, the project introduced flexible savings models, including community savings groups and informal rotating savings systems. These allow participants to save at their own pace without feeling financial strain.

1. 4  Recommendation and Conclusion

Thanks and appreciation to our supporters, donors, GlobalGiving, Local communities, and the school for the level of commitment shown toward the successful implementation of the project. Learning Squared Liberia is open to working with all children in Liberia, with a focus on underprivileged children in rural areas.

• Global_Giving_March_Report_July_2025_Final.pdf (PDF)