MONROVIA, Liberia – Over two intense and productive weeks in August, the FAWE Regional Secretariat has been on the ground in Liberia, working hand-in-hand with the FAWE Liberia Chapter to build institutional readiness for the transformative FAWE–Mastercard Foundation Phase II Program. From supporting the recruitment of key staff to providing hands-on financial mentorship and community engagement training, this mission is about more than preparation—it is about building lasting capacity that will serve Liberia’s marginalised youth for years to come.
The mission, which brought together technical experts from across the FAWE network, focused on multiple dimensions of institutional readiness. The Regional Secretariat team—Beatrice Muiyuro, Senior Finance Manager; Grace Wambua, Senior Human Resource Officer; and Emily Gumba, Senior Programmes Manager—provided technical support across finance, human resources, and programme implementation .
A significant milestone was the support provided to the recruitment of three key positions: Finance Manager, Programme Coordinator, and Communications & Advocacy Officer. These roles are critical to establishing the human resource capacity required to deliver the Phase II programme effectively and sustainably. The team also assessed the Chapter’s readiness for student recruitment, reviewed institutional systems and documentation, and worked with the Chapter to strengthen its Action Plan and overall implementation readiness .
A highlight of the visit was a strategic courtesy call to the Office of the Second Lady of the Republic of Liberia. The engagement underscored the importance of institutional anchorage, national ownership, and alignment with national priorities in advancing girls’ education, skills development, and equitable access to learning . This high-level engagement reflects FAWE’s understanding that sustainable change requires strong partnerships with government institutions and national leadership.
During the mission, FAWE Liberia held a powerful induction session on Advocacy Priorities under the Mastercard Foundation Phase II Program. Led by Catherine Asego, Senior Advocacy & Partnerships Officer from the FAWE Regional Secretariat, the team aligned on a clear roadmap to expand access to higher education and dignified work for marginalised young women and men in Liberia .
– Securing NCHE Endorsement: Working with the National Commission on Higher Education to secure endorsement of the bridging curriculum, ensuring that the programme meets national standards and receives institutional support.
– Finalising MoUs: Formalising agreements with partner institutions for guaranteed transition slots, creating clear pathways for scholars to progress from bridging programmes into degree courses.
– Strengthening Multi-Stakeholder Coordination: Enhancing collaboration through the Bridging Steering Committee, ensuring that all partners work together effectively to support scholars.
This induction session represents a critical step toward launching Liberia’s bridging pathway—targeting 650 scholars in 2026, with the goal of achieving ≥95% completion and transition into STEM degree programmes .
On 21 August, the mission reached another milestone with the successful completion of an intensive Safeguarding Orientation, held from 20–21 August 2026, as part of the new FAWE Liberia Staff Induction under the Phase II Program.
Over two focused days, the team strengthened its knowledge of safeguarding standards, staff obligations, unequal power dynamics, reporting pathways, survivor-centred approaches, and practical risk mitigation—with special emphasis on safe scholar recruitment and onboarding.
The training was guided by expert facilitation from Crispus Malenya Natala, FAWE Africa Safeguarding Officer, and Jacqueline C. Greene, FAWE Liberia Safeguarding Officer. Their expertise ensured that participants understood not only the policies but also the practical application of safeguarding principles in their daily work.
The sessions were enriched by valuable peer learning from FAWE Uganda, whose team—Calvin Okello and Doris Amaniyo—participated actively, exemplifying the spirit of cross-chapter solidarity that makes the FAWE network truly formidable. Their contribution reinforces the collective strength and shared commitment to advancing girls’ education across Africa.
Beyond recruitment and training, the mission provided practical capacity strengthening across multiple areas:
– Financial Mentorship: The Programmes Accountant received hands-on mentorship to strengthen financial management and stewardship of programme resources.
– Community Engagement Training: Programme staff and field staff were trained on sensitisation and community engagement to ensure that hard-to-reach and marginalised youth apply for the bursary .
– Staff Induction: The new staff received comprehensive orientation on policies and procedures, including the FAWE Gender Policy Strategy, Safeguarding Policy, Mentorship Manual, Extended Orientation Program Manual, and Alumni Strategy .
FAWE Liberia Executive Director, Millias Z. Sheriff, expressed deep appreciation to the FAWE Regional Secretariat team and FAWE Uganda colleagues who stood with the Liberia team throughout this intensive process. He noted:
*”In the history of FAWE Liberia, each of your names will prominently feature for standing with us during this period.”*
He challenged the team to uphold teamwork, cohesiveness, and unwavering commitment beyond the onboarding week .
The capacity strengthening mission is preparing FAWE Liberia for the implementation of the FAWE–Mastercard Foundation Phase II Program, a 7-year initiative (2024-2030) being implemented in 10 countries across Africa. The programme aims to support 10,550 young people aged 15–25 years from the most marginalised communities—with a specific focus on young people with disabilities and refugees—to transition into tertiary education and later into entrepreneurship and/or employment .
For Liberia specifically, the programme aims to reach 1,100 young people directly—including 600 TVET trainees and 500 bridging programme participants—across 21 universities and 35 vocational institutions . This initiative aligns with the Mastercard Foundation’s vision of enabling 30 million young people, particularly women, to secure dignified and fulfilling employment by 2030 .
As the mission concludes, FAWE Liberia is now better positioned to advance student recruitment and move into full implementation of Phase II. The institutional anchors that have been strengthened—from financial systems to safeguarding protocols to strategic partnerships—will support the chapter in delivering transformative impact for Liberia’s youth.