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Greetings from the Sweetest Place in Africa; Liberia


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The Association for the Advancement of Liberian Girls



Greetings from the Sweetest Place in Africa; Liberia
My name is Stephanie “SalaMartu” Duncan and I am the founder of an amazing organization called the Association for the Advancement of Liberian Girls (AALG). AALG is a registered NGO in Liberia established as an advocate for the advancement of Liberian females through education, philanthropy, and social activities.
The story begins back in 2006 while in the United States of America. I overheard a casual conversation in a Liberian restaurant between a group of elderly Liberian men and their sexual exploitation of young girls in Liberia. The men, most of whom I recognized, spoke so freely about sexual relationships with minor girls in Liberia. What was even more surprising, some of these men were fathers to young girls. As a Liberian, the thought was sickening. As a mother of two small girls, I was disgusted at the conversation taken place by these men. However, being disgusted and doing something about it were two different things. I decided to act on my repulsion and anger by first bringing attention to an issue that seem to be a nonchalant topic and started the Association for the Advancement of Liberian Girls Organization (AALG). Initially, I hosted round table discussions to raise awareness of this issue. Based on the discussions, I started a small scholarship program as an option for the girls in Liberia. Somehow, someway, I didn’t feel the problem was being solved or addressed adequately.
After moving back to Liberia in 2010 from the United States of America, I met an amazing young Liberian woman who shared my vision and passion for the organization’s goals and objectives, Ms. Marjean Sherman. Marjean and I first decided to help adolescent girls. This was our small way of giving back. Our volunteerism began with the SOS Children’s Village in Monrovia (capital of Liberia). SOS Children’s Village is an international organization that takes care of orphans. We started the PlayMa Mentoring program with SOS. The term PlayMa is a Liberian term used when referring to a Big Sister-Little Sister relationship between an adult woman and a young girl. This act of Big Sister- Little Sister relationships has helped many Liberian girls, as in the past stay, focused in school, while forming a long-lasting bond of friendships.
Our PlayMa Mentoring program mentors girls between the ages of 8 and 18. As exciting as the PlayMa Program was, the young children, both boys and girls, felt left out. As a way to include all children in our organization and not to mention our big compassion for reading, we decided to give all children the gift of reading. Just think, a world of free reading materials as well as fun interactive programs.
Currently, Liberia has no public children’s library (specifically designated for children). Liberia has seen its share of civil disturbance (over 20 years of civil conflict) with educational infrastructure destruction. The good news is that for the past seven (7) years, Liberia has shown great stability under the leadership of Africa’s first elected female president, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Families are beginning to rebuild their lives. Of course the women and children are still behind in terms of the “rebuilding” process. We are making strides, but we could still use some help.
Initially we wanted to build a public children’s library, since there is currently no public children’s library in Liberia. Well, after visiting several communities, we saw a major challenge the children would face: access to transportation. Yikes! So, instead of constructing a large central library, we decided to create more accessible libraries, community reading rooms or mini libraries if you would. The “mini libraries” would have a bigger impact in the communities, which the children reside and would be easily accessible to the children. Problem solved.
With the help of the Liberian community (in Liberia), we opened our first reading room in April 2013 at the Jamal Harrison Bryant H.O.P.E. Academy in Congo Town, Liberia. We named it The Jungle Reading Room! Subsequent reading rooms will have a children’s related theme. The reaction from the students and the community at the Jungle Reading Room, we knew we had made the right decision. The response we received was incredible. The children at the school as well as students from other schools in the community absolutely love the reading room, eh the “Jungle Reading Room”. Marjean and I could not get enough “Thank You” and smiles from the children and parents, which we just love. The response has been so positive that we’ve been granted four (4) rooms/spaces in other locations: a school, a community center, a church, and a City Mayor. That’s four (4) more reading rooms! This is where you come in. We need your help.
I am asking the world to help on a small project with a big impact!!!!
HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP

  • Partner with us:

    • Donate Books

    • Donate Money

    • Donate Furniture (and/or other building materials when needed)

    • Donate Computers

    • Donate Educational Materials

    • Donate Television and DVD Player

    • Donate School Supplies

    • Donate T-Shirts (the kids love t-shirts) and/or

    • Host an Event on our behalf. We love attending events that benefits children.


THIS IS HOW WE MAKE IT WORK

  • The community agency (school, church, or social/community center) provides the location for the Children’s Reading Room, including, but not limited to, the cost of space, electricity, water, and maintenance.




  • AALG is responsible for designing and supplying furniture, and books. AALG also acts as the responsible party for managing all operational activities including hiring, managing of staff and volunteers, training, support and supervision, recognition, and policies and procedures.




  • Both parties (community agency and AALG) agree on the operational days and hours. Most importantly, the organization MUST allow all children other than those attending their school, church, or social/community center to participate in activities at any of the Children’s Reading Room.


THANK YOU

ABOUT AALG – LIBERIAN GIRLS ORG
The Association for the Advancement of Liberian Girls (AALG) is a Liberian registered Non Governmental Organization established as an advocate for the advancement of Liberian females through education, philanthropy, and social activities. We offer dynamic and constantly-evolving programs that advances education, self-development, and foster equality and positive societal change for children (primarily girls).
Our Mission

The mission of the AALG is to advance equity for children (primarily girls) through advocacy, education, and philanthropy.


AALG aim is to be will be an advocate and visible leader in equity and education which girls can feel free to empower to help them and their community.  
Our Objectives:

Our objectives are simple.



  • Provide a unique and safe environment in which children (primarily girls) will feel free to empower themselves

  • Create programs that are challenging, rewarding, creative, and respectful of ideas,

  • Provide mentors who will help children (primarily girls) stay focus in achieving their goals while forming a long-lasting bond of friendship.


CONTACT US:
Stephanie SalaMartu Duncan

+231 880629580



salamartu@gmail.com
Marjean Sherman

+231880915135


General Email: liberiangirlsorganization@gmail.com.
Dream, Discover, & Grow

Association for the Advancement of Liberian Girls

LIKE US on FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Liberian-Girls-Organization/406779029377608 and VISIT US at www.liberiangirls.org



"True wealth isn't about having money; it's about having options!" ~ Oprah Winfrey

2013 SPONSOR FORM - THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

 

By showing your support as a sponsor, we will recognize your contribution during the event, on our website, social media, and through email communications. We appreciate any support you would be willing to offer in this endeavor.



 

NAME: ___________________________________________________________________

 

COMPANY: _______________________________________________________________



 

PHONE: ___________________________________________________________________

 

EMAIL: ____________________________________________________________________



 

WEBSITE: __________________________________________________________________

 

 

WAYS TO HELP



 

1. MONETARY DONATIONS:

INDIVIDUAL SPONSORSHIP AMOUNT: $ _____________________

 

CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP AMOUNT: $ _____________________



Corporate sponsorships will be listed under company/organization’s name

PAYMENT TYPE: CHECK OR CASH *** Checks Payable to Association for the Advancement of Liberian Girls

 

2. ADOPT A READING ROOM IN ALOVE ONE’S HONOR or SPONSOR A READING ROOM.



If you are interested in adopting a Children’s Reading Room, please let us know.

 

3. SPONSOR AN EVENT:

Upcoming Events

AALG Fundraiser Gala, December 2013


Children’s Carnival, Saturday December 14, 2013 (City of Paynesville)

 
USA Donations made to AALG are tax-deductible through our Fiscal Sponsor Peace Development Fund (PDF). Visit www.liberiangirls.org. Click on the PayPal link, you will be taken to PayPal, our organization is listed as “Peace Development Fund/The Assoc. for the Advancement of Liberian Girls,” this allows your gift to be properly coded to our account. A PayPal account is not required. Please NOTE: As an integral part of the PDF, AALG is able to accept charitable donations and grants available only to tax-exempt organizations, and to issue tax-deductible receipts to contributors who support our work.

 


www.liberiangirls.org Email: liberiangirlsorganization@gmail.com

And yes, we’re on FACEBOOK http://www.facebook.com/pages/Liberian-Girls-Organization/406779029377608



2009 – 2013 The Association for the Advancement of Liberian Girls (AALG). All Rights Reserved



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