Final Days to Do What You Can – Their Stories Aren’t Over!

Karen Ecklund
10 hours ago
3 min read

As we near the end of our “Do What You Can” campaign, we’re inspired by the resilience of the students we serve—and the compassion of people like you who make their education possible.

With our $60K matching grant, we only need to raise a final $7,250 so that all 127 students can secure their place at school this year!!

Have you heard of the Human Development Index (HDI)? The HDI takes into account the average achievement in key dimensions of human development: longevity, education, and living standards. Liberia ranks 16th from the bottom, putting it on-track to be one of the last countries in the world to achieve universal, basic education.

Schoolroom in Liberia with dozens of empty chairs

Liberia’s 2023 HDI value of 0.510, ranked it at 177 out of 193 countries By comparison, the US is ranked 17, with a HDI value of 0.938.

Every student has a story. YOU are helping shape these stories.

Sponsored students share many of the same challenges: poverty, single-parent households, insecure housing, loss, illness, trauma, hunger, poor transportation, and a broken education system. Yet they continue to dream, hope, and work hard.

With grit and perseverance they are doing what they can:

Yrameinna in her school uniform at school.

Yrameinna (17, 12th Grade)

After losing her mother, a nurse, at a young age, Yrameinna was raised by her single father, a retired paramilitary officer with no stable income. Life has been difficult as the family lives hand to mouth. With the support of Keyara’s Gift for the last four years, Yrameinna is now set to graduate from high school next year—and dreams of becoming an engineer.

Linda (17, 10th Grade)

Linda has been in our program for nine years. Her mother, despite immense financial hardship, never gave up. They’ve recently been forced to relocate after the government demolished their home—forcing them to now live without electricity, clean water, or access to a nearby school. Linda walks long distances, often without food, but continues to excel academically. She won’t give up.

Sametta in her school uniform at school.

Sametta (15, 7th Grade)

Raised by a single mother, Sametta has been part of Keyara’s Gift since 1st grade. Despite lacking basic supplies and often going without meals, she completed another successful school year and remains deeply committed to her education.

Maroline in her school uniform at school.

Maroline (16, 9th Grade)

Abandoned by her father, Maroline and her sister are raised by their mother, who sells sugar from a wheelbarrow in the market. They were recently evicted and now live with others. Maroline once had to drop out due to unpaid school fees, but today, she’s determined to become a lawyer.

Viola smiling and wearing a Keyara's Gift shirt.

Viola (15, 6th Grade)

Viola walks 30 minutes to and from school every day, often without breakfast or lunch. Her father, a garbage collector, struggles to provide. Despite this, Viola’s hunger for knowledge and gratitude to stay in school means she tenaciously perseveres.

Charlesetta smiling at our student meeting.

Charlesetta (15, 11th Grade)

The death of her father, when she was only four, changed everything for Charlesetta’s family. Savings rapidly dwindled and her mother, formerly full of laughter, rose silently before sunrise to sell water and fruit by the roadside. Charlesetta loved school but was bullied for wearing the same, torn uniform. With Keyara’s Gift sponsorship, she now attends school confidently and dreams of a better future.

There’s still time to help. Your donation - no matter the size - can provide school fees, uniforms, food, transportation, and a future full of promise.

$7,250 to go!