F-SHAM of Faith Girls Academy

Introduction

F-SHAM of Faith Girls Academy is an all girls school which is located in the Soul Clinic Community, Paynesville City, Monrovia. About five hundred girl students attend the school between the ages of one and eighteen years. The school was founded in 2000 and was the idea of five women educators.

F-SHAM runs from nursery class to eleventh grade, ie from elementary, junior high and senior high level. It runs both academic and vocational training programs. The vocational training program allows other women (i.e. non regular students) to enroll for special skill training.

Background

Over fourteen years of civil conflict cracked the educational system of Liberia, increasing the high illiteracy rate of women as compared to men.

Prior to the war, there were only a few schools exclusively for girls and these schools were all damaged during the war. There exists a ratio of about 3 girls attending school for every 5 boys in Liberia. Girls stay in school for a shorter time and when they drop out, often end up on the street.

There are a number of problems our students face which has contributed to high rate of female students either dropping out off school or performing poorly. These include the over working of students who are living with people who are not their own parents, and students being supported by some other friend or relatives who may run out of funds.

It is against this background that the need for the establishment of F-SHAM all girls’ school became necessary. F-SHAM is the only all girls school in the Paynesville City Community.

The teaching staff of F-SHAM are all either trained from the teacher training colleges or from the university. The are very competent, dedicated and do their work diligently. N.B. The picture does not include all the teachers in the school.

F-SHAM has a computer laboratory, a sewing lab and typing pool as well as a catering department. The school’s pastry/catering department get contracts from outside the school and girls are paid as they help in the department to do these contracts.

The Liberian Education System

The Liberian educational system is divided into three levels. The first level being the elementary or primary (this level includes nursery, kindergarten and first to sixth grades), the junior high level (this level is from seventh to ninth grades), and the senior high level (this level is from tenth to twelfth grades).

There are two semesters in a year in the Liberian school system, namely; the first semester runs from the fourth week of September and ends in the second week of February while the second semester runs from the first week in March and ends in the fourth week in July.

In Liberia most elementary schools have problems withtheir buildings and usually use old and unfinished buildings. F-SHAM is in the process of completing its building.

Project Manager

Mrs. Sarah Taylor, holds a B.Sc. in Education/Math and Science. She is one of the founding members of F-SHAM. Prior to opening the school, she also served as a principal for various reputable academic institutions in Monrovia.

Mr. George Dayrell is the volunteer coordinator for this project. He will assist you with your booking, orientation and arrange your stay and leave in Liberia and help communicate between you and Sarah Taylor

What you can do beforehand:

Check out the ideas in the Treasure Hunt and think of as many creative things that you can do.

You could try to find a school in your home country to "adopt" an African school such as F-SHAM and as well as class pen friends and letters being exchanged, they could also fundraise. For example we need books for our library, equipment and chemicals for our laboratory and funds for our ongoing projects.

If you don’t have much experience teaching and if you have some free time, it would benefit you to get some experience planning lessons/units, teaching, and working with kids. Also the coordinator can help you out if you have any doubts about your suitability or how to fit into the classroom.

Accomodation

Your accommodation may be located in the principal’s home (pictured above) with her family or within the premises of the board chairman’s house. You will get to choose. The chairman's house is a hostel-like flat with a large bedroom and bathroom. It is located on the second floor in a three story building that houses several families in their respective apartments.

There is no electricity and running water presently in the Paynesville City community but a small generator is usually used while buckets are taken to the well or hand pump for water.

Accomodation and Food Costs:

The Environment

Soul Clinic, Paynesville City is located 10km away from Monrovia, and 5 kilometers from the airport. It is a new community and most people moved here after the crisis.

The roads are dusty and most buildings are either incomplete or built in haste. There are small stalls erected alongside the road.
Both residences where volunteers will stay are within 15 or 20 minutes walking distance of the school. The residences are located in a community called Wood camp. It is quiet and free from the hustle and bustle of Monrovia.

The closest vicinity, called Redlight (one of the biggest market joints in Liberia), is within walking distance. Supermarkets with Western items are located on Broad Street in the center of Monrovia.

Who do we need?

We are looking for both male and female volunteers who love working with children and have a flair for creativity. You will teach small classes in either our nursery or the upper classes. Qualified teachers and general volunteers are all welcome.

We need:

• Enthusiastic, self-motivated, and patient people who have completed high school or university or any from of tertiary training
• Anyone who is broadminded and ready to live a simple lifestyle.
• Couples as well as small groups are welcome, likewise either gender.
• Both long and short term volunteers.
• Qualified teachers are especially encouraged!!

Volunteers are encouraged to start their own initiatives and be involved in sustaining the project once they have finished volunteering. We welcome your participation and ideas!

School hours are 8.30 am to 2.30 pm.

The project also has more information at their recently created website