The Child Sponsorship Program is one of the core initiatives of the Charitable Fund for Community Development (CFCOD), designed to address pressing community needs and empower the most vulnerable populations—children, women, and youth—in Sappimah community, Gbarpolu County, Liberia. Our work began in 2021, following an in-depth community assessment. The assessment revealed critical gaps in Nutrition, Education, Community Development, Health, and Sanitation, as well as extreme poverty. At the time, Sappimah had no community school, no health facility, no water or sanitation infrastructure, and most families lived on less than 150 Liberian Dollars (LD) per day. Many went without food for days, with the primary livelihood being cassava farming. Women, youth, and children were bearing the brunt of this hardship, producing and selling garri (a product of cassava) to survive.

Despite past efforts from other NGOs, poverty remained entrenched. These organizations often leave after short-term engagements, leaving the community’s core issues unresolved. It was against this backdrop that CFCOD decided to focus on children, knowing that improving access to education could be a key driver of long-term change. Our vision is to create a lasting impact through education, job creation, and economic empowerment, laying the foundation for a better future.

Project Achievements to Date

When we first entered the community in 2021, there was a single dilapidated school building, with only one government-paid teacher. Families who could afford it sent their children to school in Bopolu City, a 45-minute walk away, but most children had no access to education. We profiled 50 children for our Child Sponsorship Program, and through persistent outreach to friends, partners, and our board, we began securing the resources necessary to renovate the school, hiring five volunteer teachers to support the existing government teacher and provide basic school supplies.

Today, the Child Sponsorship Program has grown significantly. We now support 250 children in school, have 10 volunteer teachers alongside 3 government-paid teachers, and employ 2 cooks to run a school feeding program. Each year, we provide school materials, instructional supplies, and daily meals for the children. This holistic approach has led to a 25% increase in school attendance, improved academic performance, and a noticeable enhancement in community morale and well-being.

Use of Funds

With additional funding, CFCOD plans to continue scaling the Child Sponsorship Program by enrolling more children, expanding the school feeding initiative, and continuing to support volunteer teachers. We will use the funds to enhance the educational infrastructure, ensure the provision of school materials, and improve community health and sanitation services. The goal is to ensure every child in the community has access to quality education and that the broader community can break the cycle of poverty through sustainable livelihoods.

Our focus on providing quality education, job creation, and economic empowerment has been critical in bringing hope to the community. What began with just 50 children and minimal resources has now blossomed into a program that touches the lives of hundreds, demonstrating the profound impact that education and sustained support can have on a community.

Demonstration of knowledge of crypto

We are learning to use cryptocurrency and accept cryptocurrency donations through our membership in Bloom Network, a global DAO that began in 2008 as a peer-to-peer network of grassroots communities. We have begun reporting our impact there, participating with their cryptocurrency grants program and contributing nonprofit network leadership skills to fellow Bloom members. They have a professional technology trainer on their team, and we will use Capsule Wallet to convert funds to Liberian Dollars. https://bloomnetwork.earth/liberia

Why We Are the Right Team

The Charitable Fund for Community Development is deeply rooted in the communities we serve, and we have proven our ability to drive sustainable changes. Our approach is community development and well-being through strong partnerships with local leaders, schools, and families. Since 2021, we have grown from a small initiative into a transformative force, and our track record speaks for itself. We are dedicated to continuing this work, expanding our reach, and making a lasting impact on the lives of the children, women, and youth we serve.

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