60 million girls in Liberia

It was just a hop, skip and jump from Sierra Leone to Liberia. In Liberia, as in many other countries in sub-Saharan Africa, girls are often at a disadvantage and teenage girls frequently are found in grade 1 or 2 classes. CODE’s Girls’ Accelerated Learning Initiative (GALI) supports over-age girls to accelerate their learning so they can advance to a more age-appropriate level.

Our first partnership with CODE in 2018 targeted 375 over-age girls in 25 schools. As a result of the after-school program, 22% were promoted to the next grade level and 75% advanced two grade levels. Our 2020 project with CODE built on the success of the first, again targeting 375 students. In addition, ten of the GALI school programs benefited from the use of the Mobile Learning Labs, which offered the students a rich and varied content on both academic and life skills.

Would you like to know more about Liberia?

Welcome!

Did you know that…

• 200 years ago, Liberia was founded by the United States as it was believed that Afro-Americans would face better chances for freedom and prosperity in Africa than in the United States.
• The Liberian constitution and flag are modelled after those of the U.S.
• In 1847, Liberia was the first African republic to proclaim its independence and is Africa’s first and oldest modern republic – more than 120 years before all other West African countries!

Quick facts about girls’ education

• The education system in Liberia was severely affected during the country’s two civil wars between 1989 and 2003.
• In 2014, with the outbreak of the Ebola virus in West Africa, the educational gains made by Liberia were harshly affected.
• Due to the high rate of illiteracy in Liberia, most parents in rural areas do not have enough understanding about the importance of educating their daughters.
• The cost of education presents a significant challenge, preventing many girls from furthering their education. Families are often faced with the choice of meeting the basic needs of the family or paying for tuition.

You wish to explore a bit more?

Guy Debonnet: Mount Nimba

Head for the East Nimba Nature Reserve if you want to keep hiking! Located in the northeast of Liberia, it was established in 2003 with the primary objective of preserving Mount Nimba’s unique fauna and flora. You can hike to the top of the tallest peak in West Africa and the point where Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea converge. The views are stunning and the region’s mining history, evident every step of the way, is fascinating.