Prevention of Teenage Pregnancy and Child Marriage

YOUTH DREAM FOR CONSTRUCTIVE ACHIEVEMENT (YDCA LIBERIA)

BENJAMIN LAMBSON SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

SCHOOL SUPPLIES DISTRIBUTION REPORT

Executive Summary

Youth Dream for Constructive Achievement (YDCA Liberia), through the Benjamin Lambson Scholarship Program, successfully provided essential school supplies to five students selected through a needs-based assessment process.

The distribution represents the first phase of the Benjamin Lambson Scholarship Program, which was established to support children who are committed to their education but face financial and family-related challenges that can make it difficult to meet basic educational needs.

Before the distribution, YDCA reviewed applications and conducted a structured assessment of applicants. The assessment considered factors including age, grade level, household financial circumstances, number of dependents, access to school materials, school attendance, educational commitment, and the risk of educational interruption. A selection committee comprising the YDCA Executive Director, staff members, and volunteers reviewed the assessment results and selected five students for the initial phase.

The selected students received essential school materials intended to help them participate in school and reduce some of the financial pressure on their families.

The distribution is not considered the end of the intervention. YDCA will continue monitoring the five beneficiaries during the academic year to understand how the support contributes to their educational participation and to identify additional needs.

Background

The Benjamin Lambson Scholarship Program was developed by YDCA Liberia to create educational opportunities for children who face financial barriers to meeting basic school requirements.

For many families, the cost of preparing a child for school can include school fees, uniforms, shoes, notebooks, writing materials, school bags, transportation, and other expenses. When household resources are limited, meeting all of these requirements can become difficult.

YDCA's approach is to identify students with demonstrated educational and financial needs and provide targeted support according to available resources.

The 2026 implementation represents the beginning of the program, with the first phase focusing on essential school supplies for five selected students.

The long-term vision of the program is to continue supporting selected students as resources become available and to follow their educational development over time.

Purpose of the Distribution

The primary purpose of the school supplies distribution was to address immediate educational needs identified during the beneficiary assessment.

Specifically, the intervention sought to:

• Provide selected students with essential school materials.
• Reduce some of the financial pressure on their families.
• Help students begin or continue the academic year with the materials needed for school.
• Reduce material-related barriers to school participation.
• Encourage students to remain committed to their education.
• Establish the first group of beneficiaries for the John Scholarship Program.
• Create a foundation for longer-term educational monitoring and support.

Beneficiary Selection Process

The five students were selected through a needs-based assessment process rather than solely on academic performance or personal relationships. YDCA reviewed each applicant's circumstances to ensure that the limited resources available were allocated responsibly and to students with demonstrated educational needs. The assessment considered the age and eligibility of each applicant to determine whether the student fell within the intended program criteria, as well as their current grade level and educational stage to understand their specific educational needs. The committee also reviewed each household's financial circumstances and its ability to meet basic educational costs, including the number of children and other dependents supported by the household. Particular attention was given to students' access to essential school materials, such as notebooks, pens, school uniforms, shoes, and school bags. The assessment further considered school attendance and continuity, including whether financial or family circumstances had previously affected or could potentially affect the student's ability to attend and remain in school. In addition, the committee considered each student's interest in continuing their education and their willingness to make use of the support provided. Ultimately, the selection decision was based on the applicant's overall educational need and circumstances, rather than on any single factor.

School Supplies Distribution

Following the selection process, YDCA procured and distributed essential school supplies to the five selected students.

The materials provided were based on the educational needs identified during the assessment and included items such as:

• Notebooks
• Pens and writing materials
• School uniforms
• School shoes
• School bags/backpacks
• Other essential school supplies

The distribution was designed to provide practical assistance that students could immediately use in their daily education.

Immediate Results

• The distribution achieved the following immediate results:
• Five students received educational support.
• Selected students received essential school supplies.
• Families received assistance with some of the costs associated with preparing their children for school.
• Students were better equipped to participate in classroom activities.

The first beneficiaries of the Benjamin Lambson Scholarship Program were formally established.

YDCA created a foundation for continued monitoring and follow-up. The support addressed immediate material needs while also establishing a relationship between YDCA, the students, and their families.

Impact of the Support

Although the intervention is still at an early stage, the distribution of school supplies is expected to contribute to several important educational outcomes for the five selected students. By providing essential items such as school uniforms, shoes, notebooks, school bags, pens, and other learning materials, the intervention helps reduce some of the financial pressure families face at the beginning of the school year and may allow limited household resources to be directed toward other essential needs. The students now have basic materials required for classroom participation, helping them begin the school year better prepared for learning. The support also contributes to school readiness by ensuring that beneficiaries have essential supplies rather than starting the academic year without some of the items required for school. By reducing material-related barriers, the intervention supports YDCA's broader goal of promoting educational continuity and helping students remain connected to school, while continued monitoring will help determine whether the assistance contributes to sustained school attendance and participation. In addition to the practical benefits, the support provides encouragement and motivation to the students by demonstrating that their education is valued and that their community and supporters are willing to invest in their future. The intervention also provides indirect support to families by reducing some of the immediate costs associated with preparing children for school.

Beneficiary Follow-Up

The distribution of school supplies marks the beginning of the monitoring process rather than the end of the intervention. YDCA will conduct regular follow-up with the five beneficiaries and their parents or guardians throughout the academic year to assess how the support is being used and whether it is contributing to continued participation in education. The follow-up process will monitor school enrollment, attendance, access to basic school materials, educational participation, general educational progress, financial challenges affecting education, emerging educational needs, and any risks that could lead to interruption of schooling. The first follow-up assessment should take place approximately 2–4 weeks after the distribution to confirm that the students have received and are using the materials and to identify any immediate concerns. Subsequent monitoring will be conducted on a quarterly basis, with additional follow-up undertaken when significant educational or family-related concerns are identified. The information collected will help YDCA document beneficiary progress, identify areas requiring additional support, and strengthen future implementation of the John/Benjamin Lambson Scholarship Program.