Goal
It is expected that this project will target at least 500+ children in Morovia, Liberia and its environs by sheltering them in approved orphan homes where they will regain hope through our educational, counseling and hot meal programs. The organization’s long term goal is to cater to the urgent needs of children and families dealing with crises such as homelessness, major health care needs, abuse, neglect and lack of education due to the 14 years of civil war and the Ebola crisis in Liberia, West Africa.
Project Description:
The Ebola pandemic and Liberian civil war left hundreds of our most vulnerable children virtually homeless and without access to basic health care services and education. This project, “Life After Ebola” (LIAFE) aims to immediately provide shelter for the children who need it, and over the long term, improve their living conditions.
The VCIL’S long-term goal is to foster a commitment to young children that will promote pro-social friendships, strong interpersonal skills, and reassert a sense of hope in the future. Only through personal relationships can a sense of individual responsibility be reestablished that will give youth the commitment to follow paths to adulthood with a sense of pride and accomplishment. Through repeated failures in the classroom and the development of destructive habits, at-risk young people have lost faith in the possibilities that would have awaited them if they had been successful in putting their lives together. To accomplish this goal, young people must be in a caring, inclusive learning environment that promotes their best efforts and reinforces personal respect. “Life After Ebola” (LIAFE) is a program that is in direct response to the growing number of young people that are either falling through the cracks at school or are already entangled with the juvenile court system.
The method of the program is to identify children who are going to have a turbulent transition to adulthood and offer a positive support system to avoid the pitfalls that can derail their lives.
The focus is slightly different at each age or grade level, but the method remains the same; empower the young person to make positive changes in his/her life. VCIL will focus primarily on middle school youth. It is projected that within three years, 50% of the system's eligible students will be enrolled in middle school. This age group is particularly vulnerable and it is a perfect time for mentoring to be effective. VCIL Youth's mentoring programs will pair a youth with a mentor for 12 months. During that time the two will participate in weekly planned activities to strengthen the relationship between the two and improve the young person's confidence and hopefulness. Mentors will receive continuous training throughout the year and will participate in monthly meetings to review and report on the young person's progress. Over time, VCIL will create a learning environment that will be an invaluable resource to young people, aspiring mentors and the community at large. This quick impact project will last two months (July 2015-August, 2015).
VCIL’S Target Segment Strategy
The target market for “Life After Ebola (LIAFE)” will be young people ages eight to 16 who have developed destructive habits that will lead down a path of hopelessness. VCIL has created a series of mentoring programs that pair the young person with a trained mentor who will assist him or her in developing the habits and perspective that will lead to success and hopefulness in the future.
Fundraising Strategy
Vision for Children in Liberia funding sources include private donations, federal and state contracts, grants from private foundations, school districts and business sponsorships. The Program's Fundraising Coordinator has established a number of contribution options that a supporter can select from.
• Cash Donation: From $1,000 to sponsor a youth for a year to $30 to fund the Outdoor Challenge course that all participants take part in.
• Gift of Appreciated Stock: a gift of appreciated stocks, bonds, or mutual funds can both support the program and provide tax savings to the donor.
• Legacy Gifts: a planned gift in a will, trust, or other estate plan.
• Corporate Giving and Sponsorship: Businesses can provide cash or grants. Businesses are also encouraged to participate in the LIAFE fundraising events that take place throughout the year. These events include Fun Runs, Bike Races, and Raffles.
Beneficiaries:
Our beneficiaries are children within Paynesville, Monrovia (specifically those in Jacob Town and 72nd communities that were highly hit by the Ebola virus).
Aim/Objective:
Our aim and objective is to facilitate the reduction of extreme poverty and homelessness, address health care needs, hunger, and social injustices, and empower children through sustainable transformation and income generation in Liberia.
Duration/Timeline:
The overall “LIAFE” project will last for three years (July 2015-August, 2018).