Liberia is one of the poorest countries in the world, with many families unable to afford school fees for their children. 

Fatu* is a 40-year-old single mother living in the western region of Liberia. After the Ebola crisis took her husband in 2014, Fatu and her four children began to rely on the kindness of others for survival. With a focus on meeting her family’s basic needs, affording school fees never seemed like a reality.  

This changed when Fatu began participating in the caregiver program of the ‘Education for Every Child Today (EFECT)’ project, implemented by Street Child in partnership with Education Above All Foundation’s Educate A Child (EAC) program.  

'I can't put into words the joy I feel thanks to Street Child's help in my life and my children's lives,' she says. 'I was once unable to even provide a simple meal for my family.'

As part of the project , Fatu participated in business training that included lessons on savings, business management and customer service.

The training has truly helped me manage my business better,' she says.  

Fatu was among the first group of caregivers to receive a grant of US$110, which helped kick-start her business after she invested in a variety of goods, including biscuits and rice. Her business selling food products thrived, bringing her newfound joy and financial stability.  

'Getting that grant was unbelievable,' she says. 'My business is growing now, and my family and I will always be thankful.'  

She began saving money each week and was able to double her initial investment in just over 20 weeks. This enabled her to plan for her children’s education for the first time in a long time. Fatu used this income to buy her children learning materials and send them to school.  

All four of Fatu's children are currently attending school, and she is determined to continue supporting their education in the long term. This was evident when Street Child Liberia staff recently visited, checking in with her business and her children’s education.  

Fatu, like most Liberians, is no exception to the current economic slowdown in Liberia. She’s seen a reduction in business; however, she’s been able to adapt by adjusting her savings and business plan. 'Now, due to low sales, I restock every other Saturday instead of every week,' she explained, showing her resilience in the face of economic challenges. Her business continues, and her children remain in school.  

The training may have set her on a new path, but it's Fatu’s perseverance and determination that continues to drive her forward. 

The EFECT project aims to place and retain 96,000 school-aged children in quality elementary education across Sierra Leone, Liberia and Nigeria by 2026. The project focuses on building schools, enrolling students, training and recruiting teachers, and supporting caregivers like Fatu to send children to school. The first year of the project has reached five hundred caregivers and their beneficiaries in Liberia alone.  

*name changed for safeguarding