Support to Rural Girls Education in Liberia

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 Project Report (DOCX)