Support to Rural Girls Education in Liberia

                                                                                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.

• GlobalGiving_project_Report_January_edit_AK_011621.pdf (PDF)