Liberia: Yes For Girls Education Foundation Donates School Supplies to Over 100 Students in Margibi

Margibi County—A Liberia-based nonprofit organization, Yes For Girls Education Foundation, has launched a back-to-school initiative with the donation of educational materials to more than 100 students in Kakata, Margibi County.

---

By Yawah Y. Jaivey

---

The beneficiaries, predominantly girls, received school bags, copybooks and other writing materials aimed at supporting their education and encouraging them to remain in school.

Speaking at the launch of the initiative over the weekend in Kakata, Miss Hannah Gizzie, Founder and Executive Director of the foundation, said the idea of establishing the organization originated in Biliborkree, a small town in Sinoe County, southeastern Liberia.

She said the foundation was established with a simple but powerful vision: to ensure that every girl has the opportunity to learn, lead and succeed.

Miss Gizzie disclosed that over the years, the organization has worked in underserved communities across Sinoe, Grand Gedeh, and River Gee Counties, establishing girls’ clubs to educate and empower young girls on issues including teenage pregnancy, gender-based violence, menstrual hygiene, early marriage, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and climate justice.

“We have also expanded our programs to Margibi County, where we have established girls’ clubs with 200 girls as members,” she added.

According to Miss Gizzie, the foundation has supported school fees for 20 girls, provided educational materials to 33 girls, distributed sanitary pads to 100 students, and conducted practical skills training for young people, including teenage mothers.

She also acknowledged that the organization’s work has not been without challenges, citing limited funding and difficulties reaching rural communities as major obstacles to sustaining and expanding its programs.

She emphasized the importance of partnerships and donor support in helping the foundation fulfill its mission and reach more vulnerable children.

Miss Gizzie also recognized and appreciated her team for its dedication and commitment to the organization’s vision, despite limited resources.

“Building an organization with limited resources is not easy, but their commitment, time, and willingness to serve have helped us continue pursuing our mission. To every team member who has contributed, worked behind the scenes, mobilized our participants, and supported our programs, thank you,” she said.

The foundation’s executive director described the back-to-school initiative as more than a distribution of educational materials, noting that it serves as a reminder that every child deserves an opportunity to learn, regardless of their family’s financial circumstances.

“A school bag, a copybook, or a pen may seem small, but to a child who needs it, it can represent hope, encouragement, and a fresh beginning,” Gizzie noted.

She expressed gratitude to the foundation’s donors and partners for their continued support and encouraged them to remain committed to the organization’s mission of creating educational opportunities for children.

“Thank you for believing in our mission and helping us make a difference. We encourage you to continue standing with us as we work to reach more children and create lasting opportunities for them,” she said.

Gizzie also encouraged the students to remain focused on their education, reminding them that their backgrounds should not determine their future.

She urged them to work hard, believe in themselves, respect their teachers, and continue pursuing their dreams, stating that they are capable of achieving great things.

“As we celebrate today, let us remember that educating a child is an investment in the future of our families, our communities, and our nation. Together, we can build a Liberia where every girl and every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed,” she urged.

Meanwhile, the beneficiaries expressed excitement and gratitude to the Yes for Girls Education Foundation for the donation, describing the initiative as ‘timely and helpful’.

Annie G. Kollie, a senior student at the Lango Lippaye High School and one of the recipients of a school bag, thanked the foundation for the gesture, stating that the educational materials would encourage them (students) to remain in school and concentrate on their studies.

“We were not expecting to receive such a package, so we are really excited to get these materials. These materials will motivate us to stay in school and focus,” Student Annie said.

Similarly, Linda Cordia, a student at the Booker Washington Institute (BWI), welcomed the donation, noting that many students struggle to begin the school year without basic educational supplies.

“Some of our friends started school without these basic schooling materials. So, getting these school items is really helpful to us,” Student Cordia said.