The Challenge

The education system of Liberia lags many other African nations, due to the country’s prolonged and brutal civil wars and the outbreak of the Ebola virus. Schools are overpopulated and many children, especially orphans, the poor, and the less fortunate lack access to education. According to USAID, the Primary School Net Enrollment Rate, the percentage of primary-age students attending elementary school grades, is 44 percent. With only 44 percent of school-age children enrolled in primary school, there is a massive need to support underprivileged children and orphans’ education.

Approximately 80% of Liberia’s population resides in rural communities with limited access to primary education. Children who complete primary school often have no means to continue their education unless they move to urban areas, which is financially unfeasible for their parents. As a result, many of these children, who represent the next generation, are left with few options other than becoming farmers or marrying and starting families at a young age.

Access To Education

For the past six years, the Delano King Foundation has been dedicated to helping underprivileged children and orphans access education. This effort is realized through the Delano King Foundation Orphans Scholarship, which empowers orphans and less fortunate children by covering the costs of their elementary and secondary education. Our ultimate goal is to integrate these children into the community and inspire them to become future leaders.

Our Efforts

For over six years, the Delano King Foundation Education Project has been dedicated to supporting Liberian students, advocating for education rooted in Godly principles to help youth and their families thrive for a better future. Our scholarship recipients include orphaned and less fortunate students who demonstrate academic excellence and strong potential for success. The scholarship also provides physical and spiritual mentorship, aiming to support students in their studies and help them establish a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We work to increase access to quality education for marginalized children, particularly adolescent orphans living in fragile and conflict-affected settings.

Our programs provide tailored solutions to students facing multiple barriers to education to acquire relevant skills, creating opportunities for positive transitions to secondary school and dignified livelihoods. Our integrated approach is based on extensive research on what works to increase marginalized orphans’ learning outcomes, retention, and well-being.

We prioritize orphans and less fortunate children in our programs, creating a supportive environment for them both in the community and at school. On an individual level, the Delano King Foundation helps sponsored students develop their academic skills, leadership abilities, and life skills, boosting their confidence and amplifying their voices. At the community level, we collaborate with parents, traditional leaders, and religious leaders to challenge negative gender and social norms that impact educational outcomes, thereby increasing support for children’s education and their active participation in school.

Our Stories Of Aid

Children can become lifelong learners and transform their communities and experience life in its fullness by firstly understanding their purpose of existence along with access to quality education.

Marthalyn Nyanneh’s story is one of resilience and hope. Despite being visually impaired from a young age, Marthalyn has not let her disability define her limits. At the age of 12, she faced a life-altering challenge when she lost her sight due to an unfortunate incident involving caustic ingestion.

At the height of the Ebola epidemic in Liberia, 12-year-old Tetee Williams watches as the ruthless virus ravages her mother and 15 other family members. Her mother was known for her generosity in providing for their family and helping others in need. Tetee was heartbroken when her mother died because she thought she would not have further her education.

Each year, the Delano King Foundation distributes school supplies which include but are not limited to erasers, pencils, crayons, and notebooks to over a thousand students across Liberia.

There are more vulnerable and less fortunate children and families across the globe today than ever before. Circumstances such as poverty, disease, and armed conflict threaten family stability.

Many orphaned children in Liberia lost one or both parents to the Civil War and the deadly Ebola Virus. These children are at great risk of exploitation, emotional, and physical abuse.

IMPACT LIVES

Thank you for your faithful support that allows us to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need. Because of you, we can boldly proclaim the unconditional love of God to a generation that is in desperate need of a Savior.

May God richly bless you for all that you do for His Kingdom!