Support to Rural Girls Education in Liberia

                              Learning Squared Liberia PROJECT Report:   

           SUPPORT RURAL GIRLS EDUCATION IN LIBERIA (33068).

                                 DATE:  September 2, 2024

                                 LOCATION: MONROVIA, LIBERIA

Prepared By: LSL-Liberia
Phone: +231(0)886828014

              +231(0)776828014
Email: info@learningsquaredlib.org

1. Introduction

The support to Rural Girls Education in Liberia (33068) project aims to improve access to education for girls in rural areas, specifically targeting underserved communities in Margibi and Bomi counties. This quarter (June-August 2024), the project focused on increasing school enrollment, providing educational materials, and fostering community engagement to support girls' education.

Planned Activities for the Period Under Review

2.1 Provide Educational Materials to Girls Reading Clubs  

2.2 Engage with Communities

2.3 Challenges and Lessons Learned

2.4 Conclusion

3. Key Activities and Achievements

Distribution of Educational Materials

Learning Squared recently distributed 25 sets of educational materials, including notebooks, textbooks, and pencils, to girls across five schools in Montserrado, Margibi and Bomi counties.. This initiative aims to equip girls with the necessary tools to succeed in their studies as schools prepare to reopen in September. Additionally, as part of our commitment to enhancing literacy and fostering a culture of reading, Learning Squared has established Girls Reading Clubs in rural communities. Twenty-five members of these clubs benefited from receiving materials designed to support and promote strong reading habits and improve literacy skills. Each club received sets of age-appropriate books, notebooks, pencils, and other essential reading materials, with a selection of books spanning various genres, including fiction, non-fiction, and educational texts.

Community Engagement and Awareness

Learning Squared Liberia (LSL) project team recently held five community meetings involving parents, local leaders, and educators across the project areas. These meetings saw the active participation of over 25 individuals, including local leaders, parents, and community members. During the discussions, parents expressed their commitment to ensuring that girls receive equal opportunities and support in education, just as their male counterparts do. Speaking on behalf of the parents, Kebeh, a community spokesperson for the women and a parent, assured the LSL team of their willingness to support their children's education within the community

4. Challenges and Lessons Learned

Clubs expressed the need for a wider variety of reading materials to cater to different interests and reading levels. During the rainy season, attendance at the reading sessions was inconsistent due to transportation challenges. Providing a broader range of books and materials can better engage the girls and sustain their interest in reading

5. Conclusion

The June-August 2024 quarter has seen significant progress in supporting rural girls' education in Liberia. While challenges remain, the project has positively impacted the lives of many girls and their communities. Moving forward, Learning Squared Liberia is committed to building on these successes and addressing existing barriers.

• GlobalGiving_Report_JuneSeptember_2024.pdf (PDF)
  

                                        Learning Squared Liberia PROJECT Report:   

                                  SUPPORT RURAL GIRLS EDUCATION IN LIBERIA (33068).

                                                                 DATE:  May 6, 2024

                                                      LOCATION: MONROVIA, LIBERIA

Prepared By: LSL-Liberia
Phone: +231(0)886828014

              +231(0)776828014
Email: info@learningsquaredlib.org

INTRODUCTION: 

This report covers recent activities implemented under the above-mentioned Project covering the month under review (February 2024- May 2024. Activities were held in Montserrado and Margibi counties in Liberia. This report reflects on the below: 

2.0 PLANNED ACTIVITIES FOR THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW:

2.1  Learning Squared Team Supports Reading Clubs in Schools

2.2   Learning Squared Holds Community Meetings to Support Education

2.3. Recommendation and Conclusion

ACTIVITIES FOR THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW:

2.1 Learning Squared Team Supports Reading Clubs in Schools:

During the review period, the Learning Squared team actively supported reading clubs in schools across Montserrado and Margibi counties in Liberia. This program aimed to foster a culture of reading among students and enhance their literacy skills. Specifically, the team organized five reading sessions, bringing together over 20 participants in two schools located in Montserrado County: Deacon Weh Institute and Ann Sandell High School. At these sessions, various activities were conducted to engage students and encourage them to develop a love for reading. The team organized donation drives to provide students with access to a diverse range of reading materials. These donations aimed to enrich the reading clubs' libraries and ensure students had ample resources to explore different genres and topics.

Structured reading sessions were held where students had the opportunity to read aloud, share their thoughts on the text, and discuss key themes and ideas with their peers. These sessions fostered active participation and helped improve students' comprehension skills.  Alongside reading sessions, interactive discussions were facilitated to deepen students' understanding of the texts and encourage critical thinking. Students were encouraged to express their opinions, ask questions, and engage in dialogue with their peers and facilitators. Through these activities, the Learning Squared team aimed to create an engaging and supportive environment that nurtured students' passion for reading.

2.2 Learning Squared Holds Community Meetings to Support Education:

Learning Squared organized community meetings to garner support for education initiatives in the target areas of Montserrado and Margibi counties in Liberia. These meetings served as a crucial platform for stakeholders, including parents, teachers, community leaders, and local authorities, to come together and address pertinent issues related to education. The meetings provided an opportunity to emphasize the importance of education in community development and individual empowerment. Through open discussions, participants gained a deeper understanding of the transformative impact of education on society.  Participants actively engaged in identifying the challenges faced by schools and educational institutions in the region. These challenges encompassed a wide range of issues, including infrastructure deficiencies, teacher shortages, inadequate resources, and socio-economic barriers to access. The primary focus of the meetings was to brainstorm solutions collaboratively. Participants shared their insights and perspectives, leveraging collective wisdom to develop innovative strategies to address the identified challenges. This collaborative approach fostered a sense of ownership and commitment among community members toward improving education outcomes.  The overarching goal of the community meetings was to enhance community involvement in education. By bringing together diverse stakeholders and fostering dialogue, Learning Squared aimed to mobilize community support and resources towards sustainable education initiatives. Learning Squared demonstrated its commitment to grassroots engagement and participatory decision-making in education. By empowering communities to take an active role in shaping their educational landscape, the organization laid the foundation for meaningful and sustainable change.

2.3  Recommendation and Conclusion

Given the positive impact observed during the review period, it is recommended to continue and expand support for reading clubs in schools. This could involve increasing the frequency of reading sessions, diversifying reading materials, and engaging more students and schools in the program. Sustaining community engagement through regular meetings and involvement in education programs is crucial for long-term impact. It is recommended to maintain a proactive approach to community outreach, including organizing more community meetings, workshops, and awareness campaigns to mobilize support for education initiatives.

In conclusion, the activities implemented under the project during the review period have demonstrated significant progress in promoting education and literacy in Liberia, particularly in Montserrado and Margibi counties. By supporting reading clubs in schools and fostering community engagement, the project has laid a solid foundation for improving education outcomes and empowering communities.

Moving forward, it is imperative to build on these achievements by adapting to evolving needs, expanding support for reading clubs, and deepening community involvement in education initiatives. With continued dedication, collaboration, and a strong commitment to empowering communities through education, we can achieve sustainable solutions and make a lasting difference in the lives of students and communities in Liberia. Thank you to all stakeholders, partners, and supporters for their invaluable contributions to this important cause.

• GlobalGiving_562024.pdf (PDF)