Mercy's Scholarship Fund

Many of you know that I worked in education and gender issues in Liberia, West Africa. Liberia has one of the most challenging education landscapes in the world, where fewer than 40% of children complete primary education and 3 out of 10 Liberian girls get pregnant before age 18, affecting their chances of graduating. In Liberia, getting through high school is a big deal and aspiring to college often just a dream. But during my work and travels, I met some amazing girls (now young women) who are beating these odds, breaking down barriers and ensuring they get educated -- one of these girls is Mercy Kwenah!!

Mercy's  story are one of perseverance and resilience. It is not unlike the stories of many girls across West Africa. While her family understood the importance of education, they lacked the resources and opportunities to prioritize education for their daughters.  Mercy found her own way through primary and high school and now are fighting to continue on to University. She will be the first in her family to attend a 4-year college. This is why we are setting up this Scholarship Fund to ensure that she can go far and acheive her dreams of give back to her community and country!

Meet Mercy!
Mercy lived with me in Gbarnga while I was the Gender Coordinator for Peace Corps Liberia. We met in very extraordinary circumstances. Mercy was selected to meet with the former first lady Michelle Obama while she was visiting Liberia to talk about the challenges of girls education. I traveled with Mercy to DC for the Let Girls Learn Exchange program where her and 22 Liberian girls talked about the barriers keeping girls out of school with girls from all over the world. Mercy would later take these conversations into her own community and work alongside her peers to empower younger girls!
Mercy teaching her peers about family planning.

Mercy was born into a very poor family in rural Bong County. Both of her parents are farmers. Her mother never went to school and her father didn’t graduate from high school. Even though they were not able to put their own education first, they understood why it was important for their children to be educated. But school costs money and that is something they did not have. Mercy was sent to live with her Aunt and didn't start school until she was 10 years old. At the time, she could barely speak English or write her own name. AND she has never looked back since!

Mercy graduated with honors and second in her class from William V.S. Tubman Gray High School in Gbarnga. She was selected to participate the Ministry of Gender's Vulnerable Girls Program, where she was awarded a full academic scholarship for William Tolbert High School. When the school faced administration challenges and no teachers were coming to class, she was forced to move to Gbarnga were she was awarded another full academic scholarship to complete her secondary education

Mercy's accomplishments:
-Class President and Foreign Affairs Minister on the Student Council
- Dormitory Perfect (Head Girl) at William Tolbert High School Dormitory
- Mentor in the Rise2Raise Mentoring Program
- President of a community service project called United for Progress
-Delegate for the Let Girls Learn Exchange Program

Mercy educating other girls about gender-based violence during the Rise2Raise Mentoring Program

Mercy wants to become a nurse and further pursue a Master's degree in Public Health at Cuttington University.  She says too many girls are getting pregnant at a young age and too many women die in childbirth. She has seen how both affects Liberian women throughout her life. Liberia has one of the highest maternal mortality rates and teenage pregnancy rates in the world. This is why she want to becomes a nurse and/or midwife focusing on women’s and child’s health. She knows that Liberia will need more talented medical professionals, especially women, in the future!!!

Mercy's Cuttington University Fees 
$35 per credit hour x 18 Credits = $630.00 x 2 Semesters = $1260
Semester Registration Fee = $193.75 x 2 Semesters = $387.50
Semester Lab Fee = $31.25 x 2 Semesters =  $62. 50
Total = $1710 for One Year

*Any funds raise beyond that will be reserved for the following year's tuition. 

Not only is Mercy expected to work hard to received high marks, I am also requiring her to do a small community service project every semester. She will send me photos and updates and I will share their work with you!

Both Mercy hopes to begin her studies in January 2019!

It has been an honor to work alongside Mercy and other girls like her! I can attest to her drive,  determination and overall dedication to their education! I know she will do things great for her country and other girls in her society.

 On behalf of Mercy, THANK YOU so very much your support!!!!

-Allison