FLI is a cooperative effort between the FOL, the WE-CARE Foundation, and HIPPY-International, with the goal of teaching parents of preschool children in under privileged communities how to engage in nurturing and learning activities that prepare their children for school. The goal is to prepare 3, 4 and 5-year old children for long-term academic success and help parents become more effective at working with their children. WE-CARE Foundation delivers the program in four Liberian communities.
Liberia has a literacy rate of 48.3%, among the lowest in the world. Most Liberian students enter school well over the normal age of school entry, if at all. Parents are unable to help their children because of the lack of their own skills. Children who benefit from quality, equitable, and inclusive early education are better prepared for primary school, will reach better education outcomes, are more likely not to repeat grades, and have a better chance of completing high school.
Using a home visitation model, a home visitor role plays with the parent. Learning then occurs through the modeling and dialog between the parent and child. Group meetings with other parents focus on school involvement, community improvement, child learning, and personal development. Parents develop more confidence and become more active members of the home-school-community partnership. Long term it is expected that children will have greater academic success with this parental involvement.
FLI aims to raise the participation rate in school, get children to start school at appropriate ages, and stay in school for the long-term. Because of their participation, parents will increase their literacy skills, have increased and sustained involvement in school and community, and stronger parent-child relationships. Participants will develop a love for learning. FLI aims to create a workforce of paraprofessionals trained in coaching parents to be involved in their children's education.
