Monrovia, Liberia, 23 January 2026 — SOS Children’s Villages in Liberia is supporting government efforts to increase primary school enrollment by 20% and reduce out-of-school children by 40% through the “Enhancing Access to Quality Education” project initiatives. The project is targeting over 500 children in 7 public schools in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County.
As part of the project initiatives, SOS Children’s Villages in Liberia, in collaboration with key partners, distributed urgently needed school supplies aimed at increasing school enrollment and retention.
Children from Lower Hardlandville Elementary school and Kpanay Town Elementary & Junior School were among the beneficiaries, receiving items that may appear simple but carry life-changing significance. Uniforms, bookbags, copybooks, pencils, 15 United States Dollars for shoes and basic learning tools became symbols of inclusion—reminding every child that their education matters, regardless of where they live or the challenges they face.
Liberia is currently facing low school enrollment. The data suggests that over 300,000 or 20 percent of school-going children are out of classrooms, placing the country among the countries of the World with higher out-of-school children. According to some school officials, the country’s economic hardship has compelled parents to cut educational expenses, leading to lower student enrollment.
For many students, these supplies mean more than readiness for class; they represent confidence and possibility. “Before today, I used one set of uniforms for school throughout the week, shared copybooks with my friend,” said Maxwell**, a Grade 8 Hardlandville Elementary school. “Now I feel proud to have two new sets of uniforms and a bookbag.”
The initiative reached 7 schools, extending its impact beyond individual classrooms to entire communities. By easing the burden on families and supporting teachers, the project helps create learning environments where children can focus, participate, and thrive. It also reinforces a simple but powerful message: quality education should not be a privilege—it is a right.
“When children have the tools they need, their attitude toward learning changes immediately. You see it in their confidence, their participation, and their desire to succeed,” shared Nehmah Yeanay, Program Development Manager at SOS Children’s Villages in Liberia.
More than a distribution exercise, this intervention reflects a deeper commitment to equity, dignity, and opportunity. It addresses barriers that quietly push children out of school and replaces them with support that pulls them forward. Each school bag handed out is a step toward closing the education gap and building a stronger future for Liberia.
Back to the Classroom:
As the students walked back to their classrooms, school bags on their backs and smiles on their faces, one thing was clear: when we invest in education, we invest in hope—and when hope is placed in the hands of children, the future becomes brighter for everyone.
The Ministry of Education announced the official reopening of schools across the country on September 1, 2025, marking the start of the 2025–2026 academic year.
This year’s academic calendar runs until July 2026, and SOS Children’s Villages in Liberia paid all other fees for the project beneficiaries, including registration fees and national examinations, among others, to ensure affordable learning for every child.