Liberia 
"I tell people interested in assisting us that we do not want scholarships to send our children to their schools. Help us to build our schools so our children can go to school here."
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia
14 years of civil war in Liberia has had a devastating impact on children. Virtually nothing of the education system remains as the majority of schools in the country were destroyed and teachers were displaced.
Many children have not had access to education and are now too old to return to primary school. Former child soldiers face being excluded from education as teachers fear they will disrupt lessons.
Girls' education has been especially affected. Rape and sexual violence were frequently used as weapons of war and, coupled with a tradition for early marriage, there are now a large number of young mothers who are unable to go to school.
- 75% of Liberia's schools were destroyed during the conflict
- Children's literacy rates are even lower than the adult literacy rate of 37%
- Only 26% of young women aged 15-24 can read
- 25% of school dropouts among girls are due to pregnancy at an early age
Children in Crisis in Liberia
Children in Crisis is working with local organisation Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) to rebuild schools and train teachers in the capital, Monrovia and the counties of River Cess, Monserrado and Sinoe.
Vocational training centres with crèche facilities are also being set up to enable girls and young women, who would not otherwise go to school, to attend literacy lessons and vocational training courses where they will learn skills to increase their employment possibilities.
Over the next four years:
- 300 teachers are being trained in basic teaching methods, with a focus on providing psycho-social support and promoting girls participation. 10,500 children will benefit from the improved skills of these teachers
- 400 young women will receive literacy and vocational training