Frank Town Beneficiaries Showcase Progress Under Liberian Women Empowerment Project

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ADNews-Monrovia,Liberia:  Beneficiaries of the Liberian Women Empowerment Project (LWEP) in Frank Town have showcased remarkable progress in their farming and business activities after receiving loans under the initiative.

During an engagement with the project’s leadership and sponsors on October 21, 2024, several recipients expressed gratitude and reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the project’s policies, describing the initiative as a transformative force in their livelihoods.

Mamie Jessie, owner of I.E. Agriculture Business, and Amelia Shakee, chairlady of the Welekarmah Village Savings and many others testified about the impact of the project. They said the LWEP has helped them expand their businesses and improve income generation strategies.

Jessie disclosed that her piggery has grown from two pigs to nine within a year, thanks to an initial loan of US$1,250 from the LWEP.

“I started my business with two pigs last year, but now I have nine,” Jessie said. “At first, I doubted the project because many NGOs have collected our data in the name of helping us and later disappeared. But this one turned out to be a true destiny helper.”

She added that she is now constructing a concrete structure to better protect her animals, using profits generated through the program.

For her part, Shakee said her group of 34 members, including 27 women and seven men, received an initial loan of US$4,000 out of a total approved US$8,000. She described the experience as life-changing.

“One day, we saw a car coming, and I didn’t trust the people at first because we’ve been deceived before,” Shakee said. “But after we registered and went through training, we gained knowledge that helped us turn five cents into ten cents. Our members are now progressing well in both business and farming.”

Madam Blosson Y. Hodges, LWEP Coordinator at the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, said the event formed part of a midterm field visit to assess progress and gather lessons from beneficiaries.

“Today, we are here to monitor activities as the project reaches its midpoint,” Hodges said. “We are grateful for how far we’ve come and happy to see women expressing joy and satisfaction.”

Abdulai Sheriff, Lead Service Provider Manager at Plan International, said Frank Town is one of several communities in Montserrado County benefiting from the program’s livelihoods component and SASA methodology.

“So far, we have disbursed about US$18 million in grants to 36,000 beneficiaries across various counties,” Sheriff said.

At the end of the visit, delegates toured several project sites where beneficiaries demonstrated how they are managing their businesses and maintaining their loan obligations.

The Liberia Women Empowerment Project (LWEP) is a flagship initiative of the Government of Liberia, implemented through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MOGCSP) with funding from the World Bank. The project aims to enhance the social and economic empowerment of women and girls across Liberia, particularly in underserved and rural communities.

As part of its implementation framework, LWEP works with a consortium of service provider organizations, led by Plan International Liberia and including ActionAid Liberia, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Medica Liberia, Defense for Children International (DCI), Foundation for Community Initiatives (FCI), KEEP. These partners are responsible for delivering key project components across six counties.

Their   Empowering Sustainable Livelihoods Grant (ESLG) is a transformative funding initiative designed to support women-led and community-based efforts that drive economic empowerment, resilience, and self-reliance. Through targeted grantmaking and tailored technical assistance. ESLG provides recipients with the tools, resources, and confidence to build sustainable income-generating activities and improve household well-being.

This grant opportunity extends beyond financial support; it fosters agency, inclusion, and innovation. By pairing flexible funding with skills training, mentoring, and market linkages.  ESLG helps women and vulnerable groups expand their livelihood potential in ways that are locally relevant and economically viable.