FAQs
A Nigerian missionary priest ministered in St. Augustine’s parish for a year, and he communicated many things about Africa during his stay. Some parishioners from local churches were moved into action. Subsequently a 20′ x 8′ container was sent to Liberia in December 2006. The container has been followed up with this Help a Child Africa charity to make a difference by helping to send children to school.
Having visited those in need in Liberia, whilst food is scarce and healthcare is poor, education was seen as something that could make a difference for a better future for all. The children are the future of countries like Liberia, offering a chance for stability, economic growth, improved governance, and a better life for themselves, their families and their communities. Yet they will never be able to reach their full potential without an education.
Data from UNICEF about the situation of children in Liberia:
- A third of all children in Liberia are under the age of 5
- Liberia’s education system lags behind most countries, in both access and quality
- An estimated 15 to 20% of 6–14 year-olds are not in school
- Many mothers are actually teenage mothers – Liberia has a high adolescent pregnancy rate where about one in three adolescent girls are pregnant
Help a Child Africa donations mainly go to St. Patrick’s school in Grand Cess, Liberia. Here we are supporting about 100 children to get an education from the ages of 4 to 18.
Donations to Help a Child Africa are paid directly into the Help a Child Africa bank account and we also recover income tax on the gift-aided donations which adds 25% to the donation. At regular intervals monies are transferred to the in-country representatives using the safest and most cost effective method available. There are 3 representatives in the country who are involved in the collection and allocation of monies sent to Liberia for the school – the mayor of the village, the parish priest and the bursar of the school.
