Learning Squared Liberia PROJECT Report: SUPPORT RURAL GIRLS EDUCATION IN LIBERIA (33068).
DATE: May 11, 2021
LOCATION: MONROVIA, LIBERIA
Prepared By: LSL-Liberia
Phone: +231(0)886828014
+231(0)776828014
Email: info@learningsquaredlib.org
Website: learningsquaredliberia.org
INTRODUCTION:
This report covers recent activities implemented under the above-mentioned project covering the month under review (January- May 2021). Activities were held in Margibi, Montserrado, Bomi, Grand Bassa, and Cape Mount counties in Liberia. This report reflects on the following:
2.0 PLANNED ACTIVITIES FOR THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW:
2.1 Learning Squared official launch in Liberia
2.2.Distribution of school materials to beneficiaries
2.3 Learning Squared Liberia honored teachers
2.3 Recommendation and Conclusion
ACHIEVEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW:
2.1 Learning Squared Official Launch in Liberia
On March 19, 2021, Learning Squared Liberia, organized an official launch in Liberia. The program brought together over 150 participants, including government officials, civil society actors, students, policymakers, civil society organizations, principals, community leaders, national and international NGO representatives. Key guests also included Nobel Laureate, Madam Leymah Gbowee, Dr. Aliou Tall (Acting Education office Director, USAID / Liberia) representing the US Government, Hon. Hassan Karneh (Deputy Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, MoGCSP) and Mr. John B.S Davies III, President & CEO, Liberian Bank for Development, and Investment. (LBDI).
The objective was to formally launch Learning Squared-Liberia within the civil society sector in Liberia. It also sought to explore possible partnership opportunities with other organizations and to create awareness about the importance of the model of Learning Squared. As it relates to creating access to quality and affordable education and improving learning outcomes for children in rural Liberia.
The launch created an avenue to highlight the significance of Learning Squared’s holistic approach to sustaining and providing access to quality and affordable education and the organization’s innovative solutions to help women fund their children’s education. On her part, the keynote speaker, Madam, Leymah Gbowee, expressed gratitude to Learning Squared’s team and reminded them of the huge task and challenges within the education sector in Liberia.
Madam Gbowee spoke about the work her foundation is also doing in Liberia with children from all over the country. She stressed the need to reinforce the education system and invest in other opportunities outside of the classroom. She urged all Liberians to move beyond just school fees payment and look at other areas of education. She also lauded the management of Learning Squared Liberia for its innovative practices that continue to put smiles on the faces of ordinary women and children in rural Liberia.
2.2. Distribution of school materials to beneficiaries
Learning Squared Liberia distributed over 400 school bags, pencils, copybooks, and textbooks to students in Liberia. Making the presentation to students and beneficiaries in rural Liberia. The President of Learning Squared Liberia Mr. Anthony S. kolaco applauded the school administration for its commitment to support education in underserved communities in Liberia. He encouraged students to take their lessons seriously by studying harder and make the required grade points.
He also urged parents to ensure that the book bags are protected for the children at all times. The package included one book bag, two copy books, and two pencils for each child. The materials were distributed to over 300 students in twelve (12) schools in Montserrado, Bassa, Cape Mount, Bomi, Margibi, and Bongs Counties. The bags were donated to Learning Squared Liberia by Mr. Anthony S. Kolaco and his family as their way of contributing to the educational sector in Liberia.
Making remarks at the Jenneh Public School in Bomi County during the presentation. A student of the 6th-grade class expressed gratitude for the continued support to the school and students. And pledged to take care of the book bag during and after school. " I am happy today for the donation and promised to study hard and make everyone proud” noted Teta. Also making remarks, a teacher at the Konjah Public School lauded the efforts of Learning Squared Liberia for their support to the school and students. He applauded the organization for its support to the education sector in rural communities in Liberia. He further urged Learning Squared to extend its support to other students that are not on the scholarship program and underserved in remote communities in the county.
2.3 Learning Squared Liberia honored teachers
During the period under review. The organization also honored and presented certificates of appreciation to twelve (12) teachers for their support and dedication to building the next generation of leaders. Making the presentations, John B.S Davies III, President & CEO, of the Liberian Bank for Development, and Investment. (LBDI), acknowledged teachers for the tireless efforts in helping to build a better future and the education sector in Liberia. He lauded Learning Squared for its commitment to support children’s education in rural Liberia. The Liberian Bank for Development, and Investment. (LBDI), is willing to work with Learning Squared in the area of a school-based feeding program, hope we can start a conversation around that, Mr. Davies noted.
2.3 Recommendation and conclusion
Thanks and appreciation to our supporters, donors, GlobalGiving, local communities, and schools for the level of commitment shown towards the successful implementation of the project. Learning Squared Liberia is open to working with every child in Liberia to make sure they have access to quality education. We are also seeking partnership with others institutions and individuals to support our newly launched School-Based Feeding program.
Read more about Learning Squared Liberia from our website: www.learningsquaredlib.org
INTRODUCTION:
This report covers recent activities implemented under the project mentioned above, covering the period (September 2020-January 2021).
1.0 PLANNED ACTIVITIES FOR THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW:
1.1 Learning Squared support communities during COVID-19
1.2 COVID-19 Community School Response
1.3 Organized follow-up meetings with school
1.4 Recommendation, Constraints, and conclusion
2.0 ACHIEVEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW:
2.1 Learning Squared support communities during COVID-19
During the months in review. Learning Squared Liberia continually engaged community members and its partners. Our project team distributed over 1200 pieces of PPE, including preventive materials, to 10 communities in rural Montserrado, Margibi, Bassa, and Bomi counties. Materials distributed included masks, buckets, soaps, and sanitizers to communities as a way of responding to the spread of COVID-19. Five community response meetings organized, bringing together over 75 participants. Our team provided tips and relevant information about social distance and other safety measures to fight against the spread of COVID-19.
Our team also reiterated the importance of handwashing and social distancing to help stop the pandemic's fast transmission in the community. While presenting the items, community leaders expressed satisfaction and encouraged their members to follow all safety measures. A renowned community member, Mr. Saah, further called on other groups to follow Learning Squared's goodwill. He also encourages community members to take handwashing and social distancing seriously to help save their own lives and the lives of others in the community.
2.2. COVID-19 Community School Response
Learning Squared distributed PPE and other safety materials to schools to help fight the pandemic. Our team provided over 700 pieces of PPE and other protective supplies to 11 schools in Bong, Bomi, Cape Mount, Bassa, and Margibi counties. The items included masks, soap, and two big buckets to each school to be used by students and school administrators during school hours. A volunteer teacher Mr, Jallah said, they were extremely grateful for the materials, and it would go a long way in helping the school and students protect themselves.
The reopening of schools seems timely and costly as many families face financial hardship and are struggling to pay tuition for their kids. It has also increased the demand for assistance and support from Learning Squared.
1.3 Organized follow-up meetings with school
Upon approval by the Government of Liberia for schools to reopen in December 2020. Due to the low rate of COVID-19 and its impact in Liberia. Learning squared Liberia team began to engaged schools and local authorities to ascertained the level of hardship inflicted on communities and how we would start to restored hope among children who had to endure over six months of school closure.
Five meetings organized, bringing together over 60 participants over three days. The aim was to hear from our community about the impact of COVID-19 on students, teachers, administrators, and parents about the challenges they faced during the pandemic. Parents lamented that they had to start home schools, despite lack of internet, computers, food, and the worse of all, the restriction. And on the part of students, they complained of lack of other opportunities to continued their studies at home and recommended that Learning Squared launch a community radio school program. That will provide children at home the opportunity to continue their education without being in the classroom settings.
3.0 Recommendation, Constraints, and conclusion
3.1 Constraints:
There were some constraints and challenges during the period under review. The stay home restriction by the government to respond to the spread of COVID 19 in rural Liberia. Several calls for humanitarian relief to families, lack of technology, and other options to reopen schools during COVID-19 lack PPE and preventive materials for students and children in rural communities.
3.2 Recommendations/conclusion: Thanks to GlobalGiving and other partners for the continued support and awarding of a Microgrant. The award was immensely significant in that it helped our team reached out to schools and communities with PPE and other health supplies. Thanks to our community leaders, teachers, and volunteers. Including students and parents, for the level of commitment shown towards the fight against COVID 19.
DATE: September, 20, 2020
LOCATION: MONROVIA, LIBERIA
DATE: September 2020
Learning Squared Liberia PROJECT
Report Titled: SUPPORT RURAL GIRLS EDUCATION IN LIBERIA (33068).
Prepared By: LEARNING SQUARED -Liberia
Phone: +231(0)886828014
+231(0)777171654
Email: info@learningsquaredlib.org
Website: learningsquaredliberia.org
INTRODUCTION:
This report covers recent activities implemented under the project mentioned above, covering the month under review (June–September 2020). Activities implemented in Margibi, Bomi, Cape Mount, Bassa, and Montserrado counties in Liberia. This report reflects school monitoring, distributing protective materials to schools, response to an emergency disaster to a partner school in Grand cape Mount County, Liberia.
2.0 PLANNED ACTIVITIES FOR THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW:
2.1 Learning Squared received ($1,000.) One Thousand United States Dollars Microgrant from GlobalGiving
2.2 Distribution of personal preventive equipment (PPE) to schools and communities as a response to COVID 19
2.3 Response to a school disaster emergency in Cape Mount county
2.4 Launched a month-long campaign to support children’s education in rural Liberia
2.5 Recommendation, constraints, and conclusion
ACHIEVEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW:
1.0 Learning Squared received ($1,000) One Thousand United States Dollars Microgrant from GlobalGiving. Learning Squared The donation significantly helped the organization respond to the impact of the COVID-19 in communities and schools in rural Liberia. The organization procured personal protective equipment, supplies, masks clora and buckets and distributed over 15 boxes of supplies to schools and communities.
The donated supplies containing personal protective equipment (PPE) and other materials to schools in support and response to COVID-19. The supplies were procured with the hardship grant received from GlobalGiving. We are proud to contribute these supplies to help ensure that they are protected while they do their job and to support the education sector in their response efforts," said Alvin Freeman, Country Manager. On behalf of Learning Squared, we extend our gratitude to GlobalGiving and its partners for the continued support in these critical times. The Microgrant was timely and helped us in response to the fight against COVID-19
2.0 Distribution of personal preventive equipment (PPE) to schools and communities as a response to COVID 19
Learnings Squared donated supplies containing personal protective equipment (PPE) to schools and communities in support and response to COVID-19. The handover ceremony of supplies took place in Bassa, Margibi, Cape mount and Bomi and Bong counties in the presence of students, community leaders’ district and county education authorities and the Ministry of Education. The donation of personal protective equipment will help keep students, teachers, and administrators safe.
The supplies included masks local produced, cartons of choral, soap, hand sanitizer and buckets. In total, Learning Squared donated US$600.00 six hundred dollars worth of supplies to schools and communities for COVID-19 preparedness and response as schools reopened.
The donation will help to minimize the pandemic risks to children and teachers, Learnings Squared Liberia is also supporting communities and schools to give every child the best start of school opening.
3.0 Response to a school disaster emergency in Cape Mount county
Learning Squared Liberia responded to a disaster emergency to the Konjah Public School to reconstruct its primary school building, damaged due to a massive down pole of rain in June 2020. A donation of $120.00USD one hundred and twenty dollars awarded to the school to help with the reconstruction project. With 698 students. Classes run from the Kindergarten to the 9thgrade and run both morning and afternoon sections.
Alvin, Freeman, Program Manager Liberia, Making the presentation through a symbolic check. The admonished school authorities to manage the resources properly. He also applauded school and community leaders to mobilize members to reconstruct the only school building in the community. Receiving the amount on behalf of the school's administration, Mr. Laminu A. Wise, Principal of Konjah Public School, lauded the organization's efforts for their continuous assistance to the school and community at large.
Also, making remarks was the chairperson of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA). Mr. Bashiru K. Mannah. Mr. Bashiru lauded the team for the gesture and promised to lead the workforce to reconstruct the damaged school building.
4.0 Launched a month-long campaign to support children’s education in rural Liberia
Learning Squared Liberia annual fundraising to support education in rural Liberia is begun on Tuesday, September 1, and is expected to continue until the end of September 2020. The theme of this year's campaign is "CHILDREN FIRST," and we are looking to raise funds to support our Rural Scholarship Program in six counties with 300 students in Liberia.
The primary goals of the campaign are to (1) support rural children to explore innovative ideas for tackling educational challenges, (2) provide children with the tools to build a better future and create opportunities to be successful, and (3) support our social microfinance for rural women empowerment (4) provide scholarships, learning materials, and educational support to students.
5.0 Constraints:
There were some constraints and challenges during the period under review. The stay home restriction by the government to respond to the spread of COVID 19 in rural Liberia. Several calls for humanitarian relief to families, lack of technology, and other options to reopen schools during COVID-19. Payments of fees for students during the reopening of schools in the pandemic phase, lack of PPE, and health supplies in rural communities and schools. Official closures of offices and restricted travels.
Recommendations / conclusion:
Thanks to GlobalGiving and other partners for the continued support, and especially the Microgrant awarded us. The donation was hugely significant, in that is helped our team reached out to schools and communities with PPE and other health supplies. Thanks to the community leaders, teachers, and volunteers. Including students and parents, for the level of commitment shown towards the fight to stop against COVID 19.
1.0 INTRODUCTION: This report covers recent activities implemented under the project mentioned above covering the period under review (February –May 2020). Due to the COVID-19, most of the activities were canceled in March, April, and May 2020. Activities held in Margibi, Bomi, Cape Mount, Bassa, and Montserrado counties in Liberia. This report reflects activities carried out in February and March 2020.
2.0 PLANNED ACTIVITIES FOR THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW:
2.1 Commenced Payment of School Fees for Students.
2.2. Learning Squared President Visits Liberia.
2.3 Commenced Distribution of School Materials:
2.4 Staff and Volunteer Training.
5.0 Learning Squared joins the fight against COVID-19.
ACHIEVEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW:
1.0 Commenced Payment of School Fees for Students:Learning Squared Liberia provided $365.00USD (70,810.00 LRD) for thirty students in Bomi and Cape mount Counties. The payment made towards tuition for the academic school year 2019-2020. The President of Learning Squared Liberia. Mr. Anthony S. Kolaco presented the checks to the schools and noted the commitment to assisting children's education. Mr. Kolaco encouraged parents to take advantage of the opportunity and monitor their children's progress report during and after school. A total of 30 students (18 female & 12 male) benefited from the scholarship in Bomi & Cape mount Counties Liberia. The Principal of the Kingdom Builders community school Mrs. Massa Karneh expressed gratitude to the Learning Squared family for the assistant to the students and the level of work done in the county. Mrs. Karneh also appealed to individuals and organizations to assist with their school building. As the structure is in deplorable condition and the rain will be up soon. She noted.
2.0 President/CEO visits Liberia:The President of Learning Squared Liberia. Mr. Anthony S. Kolaco paid a courtesy visited Liberia and the program team in February 2020. While in the Country, Mr. Kolaco launched the book bags distribution campaign in Kakata, Margibi, and Klay, Bomi Counties, Liberia. During the welcoming program held in his honor in Kakata city. Mr. Kolaco thanked community leaders, school authorities, parents, and students for the work and partnership so far. He also urged parents to take the opportunity provided them to improve their livelihood. While in the country, Mr. Kolaco also visited other community leaders, NOGs, and local authorities to strengthen partnership and collaboration.
3.0 Commenced Distribution of School Materials:Learning Squared Liberia continues the distribution of book bags, and other school materials to students in all five counties in Liberia. Presenting the materials to some students in Kakata, the President of Learning Squared Liberia Mr. Kolaco encouraged students to make good use of the book bags and take their lessons seriously. He further warned parents not to sell the bags given to their children. That their children should use it for the intended proposed, for her part, student Naomi Paygar of the 3rd grade class of the ROSODAN School System expressed her gratitude for the support and materials.
4.0 Staff & Volunteers Training:Learning Squared Liberia hosted a two-day in-service training on February 24, 20120. The training was for staff and volunteers. Furthermore, is a part of the ongoing in-service training program for 2020. The training brought together 6 participants (four female & two male) three volunteers and three staff members. The training focused on the following topic
· Overview of Learning Squared Liberia
· Report and Proposal Writing
· Roles & Responsibility of a Volunteer in Learning Squared
· Child Protection Issues (Keeping Children Safe in the community) Financial management
The Head of the Program in Liberia Alvin Freeman and Administrative /Finance Assistant Bendu M. West facilitated the training session. Presentations made on the overview of the organization, including past and present projects and programs. The mission and vision statements and core values of the organization. The organization's financial management system and child protection issues and policies within the organization. Volunteers and team members expressed gratitude for the training and pleaded with management to continue such training monthly.
5.0 Learning Squared Liberia joins the fight against COVID-19. Safety First During COVID-19:Our team sends out biweekly mobile test messages, and community radio announcements to our communities and partners in making sure our beneficiaries and community members are staying safe during these challenging times. Messages are approved by the National Public Health Institute of Liberia
6.0Constraints: There were few challenges that the project team encountered during the period under review, closure of our office and all schools, and restricted movement due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. The lack of vehicles for local transportation, which constrained staff to travel with public vehicle/motorcycles. In most cases, they faced constraints getting to communities on time. Lack of funds to carried out massive awareness campaigns about COVID-19 in communities and beyond. Lack of hardship fund to support staff and volunteers.
7.0 Recommendations / Conclusion:Thanks, and appreciation to our supporters, donors, GlobalGiving, local communities, and schools, to commit to the successful implementation of the Project. Learning Squared is open to working with all children and women in Liberia. Mostly the under privilege in rural Liberia. Learning Squared Liberia wishes to recommend a few things. We have suspended most of our activities due to COVID-19. We wish to send out an SOS call to GlobalGiving, and other partners for support in the fight against COVID-19, as our limited resources have supplemented hardship funds to staff and volunteers.
Learning Squared Liberia
PROJECT Report: SUPPORT RURAL GIRLS EDUCATION IN LIBERIA (33068).
DATE: January 21, 2020
LOCATION: MONROVIA, LIBERIA
Prepared By: LSL-Liberia
Phone: +231(0)886828014
+231(0)776828014
Email: info@learningsquaredlib.org
Website: learningsquaredliberia.org
INTRODUCTION:
This report covers recent activities implemented under the above-mentioned Project covering the month under review (November 2019 –January 2020). Activities were held in Bomi, Cape Mount, Bassa, Margibi, Bong and Montserrado counties in Liberia. This report reflects school monitoring of sponsored children and the selection one new school in Bong county, central Liberia.
2.0 PLANNED ACTIVITIES FOR THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW:
2.1 Monitoring of sponsored children at the various schools on academy activities;
2.2. Launch and distribution of 300 back packs to sponsored students;
2.3 Organized community and stakeholders meeting in Bong County;
2.4 Phase one payment of sponsored children tuition in Margibi County.
ACHIEVEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW:
School Monitoring:The Support to Rural Girls education project continue its second year of support to students in Margibi County through a regular monitoring at all school activities and students. Schools and students were visited at home and at the schools during the period under reviewed. Parents were encourage to always send their children to school on time and give them time to study their lessons after school, at the school, teachers and other school authorities were also encourage to provide a child friendly space for children to be able to learn with an open mind. Schools visited during the monitoring process included the below listed:
Distribution of 300 back pack: Learning Squared Liberia received a donation of 300 back packs and some children cloths for distribution to students in all five project counties. This process officially begin in all five counties with over 300 school going children receiving back pack, used cloths, pens, pencil, and copy books at all 11 project schools in Liberia..
During the distributions, students receive free school supplies, interact with Learning Squared Liberia staff, volunteers and other partners in the field. This year’s school supplies distributions brought significant value in working with children of Liberia. We envision every child having the best learning opportunities possible, beginning with the tools they need to succeed in school.
This distribution process which took place for two weeks in the country was supported by staff, volunteers and other partners of Learning Squared Liberia. The total of three back packs were provided by sponsors in the USA through the effort of the president of the organization LSL.
The back pack distribution provided the underserved students with the supplies they need to succeed while in school. Learning Squared Liberia was able to supply over 200, 1- 6 grade students with backpacks.
Community & Stakeholders Meeting: Learning Squared Liberia facilitated three stakeholders meetings in Bong County our newly selected county. These meeting which included one community members meeting and two stakeholders meeting was well attended by the County Educational Officer CEO, District Educational Officer DEO and other policy makers in the county. During these meetings, Learning Squared Liberia provided full information on its Rural Girls Educational project and how to become a partner to the organization.
These meeting which was very interactive was facilitated by Learning Squared Liberia program team with support from other participants including stakeholder, question and answers were held and the acceptance of the project in the county were highly accepted by the citizens and stakeholders of the community
Phase one scholarship payment: Payment for the 2019/2020 school year begin with the total amount of USD $ 541.00 paid to 35 students in two schools in Margibi County, Liberia. These students are between the ages of 7-17 years and from the 1st to the 6th grade classes in St. Effa community school and the Manor community school located in Kakata, Margibi County.
These students are orphans and less fortunate children living in the communities, these payments represent the full tuition for the first academic semester of this new school year. These amount are presented to schools authorities through its bank account at the school’s account.
The Rural girls Educational project provides support to under privilege school going children living in the community, they also benefits from other school distributions in the county.
4.0 Constraints:
There were few challenges that the project team encounter during the period under review, the lack of vehicle for the official use of the organization is leaving the staff constrain to travel through public vehicle/motorbike which most time delay before reaching the project site. The high demand for the project implementation in the community is also a high challenge. The increased in schools tuition fees at all schools is a major challenge in the community leaving parents with no options but to keep their children away from school.
5.0 Recommendations / conclusion: Thanks and appreciation to our supporters, donors, GlobalGiving, local communities and schools for the level of commitment shown towards the successful implementation of the project. Learning Squared Liberia is open in working with all children of Liberia, mostly the under privilege children in rural Liberia.
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