Provide a quality education for girls in Liberia

We are very excited to update our supporters on the progress we've made over the past few months, despite the challenges of the global pandemic. When Liberia was pronounced to be coronavirus-free, the Government of Liberia declared that all school activities should resume so students could complete the academic year. Rather than wait for the next academic year to begin, the Jennifer Albee Enrichment School (JAES) launched its first vacation program for girls in the elementary division on September 9, 2020.

Classes began with four girls and over a period of just a month and a half, increased to 22 students. The girls range in age from 10 to 14 years old and for fifteen percent of the students, this is their first time ever being enrolled in school.

The girls are taught basic reading, spelling, writing, English, and phonics, as many Liberian children have poor reading habits and skills. In addition to basic academic lessons, the girls are being taught craft-making, such as turning beads into fashion and other waste items into reusable household products.

As a GEM-Liberia program, JAES gained recognition when the girls participated in Liberia's International Day of the Girl Child celebrations. GEM-Liberia and JAES, also celebrated their own Day of the Girl Child on October 16, 2020 at the school's campus with parents in attendance. 

JAES will begin registration for the academic year by November, while we wait for the government to declare the official date for the opening of all schools for the next academic year. Starting with vacation school classes helped generate interest in the school and excitement from the girls and their families. We are all looking forward to starting a full school year soon!