ANIKE FOUNDATION HELPS BIRD-LIBERIA SECURE GRANT FOR SCHOOL BEFORE MARRIAGE PROJECT

INTRODUCTION

Childhood marriage can have harmful, life-lasting consequences for young girls. Physical and mental health issues, difficulty remaining in school, and increased exposure to poverty and violence are only a few of the many negative effects that these early marriages can cause. Encouraging young girls to delay marriage and finish school can help them to avoid the damaging impacts of childhood marriage.

Anike Foundation assisted Brighter Initiatives for Revitalization & Development (BIRD-Liberia) obtain a grant from Mundo Cooperante for their School Before Marriage project, which sought to improve the lives of 5,000 adolescent girls in Monrovia, Liberia by educating them on the dangers of early marriage and highlighting the importance of completing their schooling. The project took place from July 2023 to April 2024. 

WHO IS BIRD?

BIRD-Liberia is a nonprofit organization that works to raise awareness and advocate for marginalized and deprived communities. Founded in 2014, BIRD-Liberia has been working to bring these poor communities from a state of dependency to a state of self-sufficiency through ecological sustainability and the empowerment of youth and girls.

SCHOOL BEFORE MARRIAGE PROJECT

To achieve the goals of the School Before Marriage project, a peer-mentoring program was established in which 100 adolescent girls from ten partner schools were selected to become peer mentors. These girls attended a three-day training led by the program coordinator at BIRD-Liberia, Nyemade Newton, and five peer mentors trained during two earlier grant-funded projects-- Girls not Brides (2021) and GAIA Initiative (2022) Throughout the duration of the training, the 100 students learned how to mentor their peers on issues such as the benefits of finishing school, the dangers of early marriages and pregnancies, menstrual hygiene management, methods of family planning, and the truth about cultural traditions and myths, including FGM. 

“Education is the greatest weapon a man can use to change the world.” - quote by Nelson Mandela, repeated by Nyemade Newton during training.

To put the plan into action, the peer educators met with teacher coordinators to plan four bimonthly activities that worked towards their goal of ending childhood marriage. These activities included role plays, debates, peer discussions, role model guest speakers, poster contests, and more. Peer mentors also acted as role models for other students by demonstrating how life can improve through avoiding early marriage and focusing on education. They were also available for any questions or concerns the students had throughout the project.

In addition to peer mentoring, the School Before Marriage project also selected 40 vulnerable girls to receive student tuition compensation, another 40 vulnerable girls to receive school supplies, and another 100 vulnerable girls to receive reusable menstrual pads as an incentive to delay early marriage and stay in school. 

RESULTS

The School Before Marriage project was able to successfully educate thousands of young girls on the dangers of early marriage and pregnancies, the benefits of remaining in school, menstrual hygiene, family planning, and the truth about cultural myths and traditions, including FGM. 

Through this project, vulnerable girls were provided with role models who had once been living in poverty like themselves but worked to complete their education while avoiding early marriage and pregnancy. These girls are now able to make informed decisions regarding their bodies and education, which will positively impact their futures. Many of the beneficiaries have enrolled in Bird Educational Empowerment Programs (BEEP) to avoid environments promoting early marriage and receive vocational education in different areas.

LESSONS LEARNED

Many valuable lessons were learned as a result of the School Before Marriage project. First of all, early marriage and pregnancies are extremely difficult for adolescents who are not mature enough to bear the responsibility that comes with having a family. They cannot afford to buy their children food or send them to school, perpetuating a never-ending cycle of poverty. Another lesson learned is that many female students believe in cultural myths and traditions surrounding menstruation and family. If these myths are not debunked, they can lead to harmful practices.

Finally, child marriage and living in poverty are common in Liberia. Programs such as BEEP that provide free technical and vocational education to young girls and women can truly make a difference in their lives.

CONCLUSIONS

Thanks to support from Anike Foundation and Mundo Cooperante, as well as the hard work of BIRD-Liberia, the School Before Marriage project was successful and young girls in Monrovia now have an increased awareness regarding the importance of finishing their education and avoiding early marriage. However, there are still many other schools across the country that need help educating their students on these topics as well.

Please consider donating to support Anike Foundation and BIRD-Liberia in their efforts to raise awareness about childhood marriage. You can contribute by clicking our “Donate” button at the bottom of this page.