OUR WORK UPDATE INFORMATION
EDUCATION FOR EMPOWERMENT AND OPPORTUNITY
Objective: Strengthen teaching, learning, and education systems for equitable, high-quality outcomes.
After-School Academic Enrichment Program
The Global Institute for Community Empowerment (GIFCE) After-School Academic Enrichment Program helps elementary and middle school students in Chicago succeed academically and grow into confident, responsible leaders. GIFCE provides a safe and supportive learning environment where students receive personalized academic assistance, mentorship, and life-skills development beyond the classroom. GIFCE program offers individualized tutoring and small-group instruction in reading, writing, mathematics, homework support, and study skills, helping students strengthen academic performance, build confidence, and develop a lifelong love for learning. Beyond academics, GIFCE equip students with essential leadership, communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and decision-making skills while promoting positive values such as integrity, respect, responsibility, perseverance, and community service. GIFCE believe families are essential partners in every child's success. By working closely with parents, educators, and community volunteers, we create a collaborative learning environment that supports both academic achievement and personal growth. Through this initiative, GIFCE is helping students improve academic performance, strengthen literacy and numeracy skills, increase self-confidence, and develop the knowledge and character needed to thrive in school, in their communities, and throughout life. At GIFCE, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to learn, lead, and succeed. Our After-School Academic Enrichment Program is building stronger students, stronger families, and stronger communities—one learner at a time.
School WASH Infrastructure Program
The Global Institute for Community Empowerment (GIFCE) is committed to creating safe, healthy, and inclusive learning environments by improving Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure in schools across Liberia. Access to safe sanitation is essential for student health, school attendance, dignity, and academic success. Through our School WASH Infrastructure Program, GIFCE designs and constructs modern, child-friendly, and gender-responsive school latrines that provide students and teachers with clean, safe, and accessible sanitation facilities. Our approach helps reduce the spread of waterborne diseases, improve hygiene practices, and create a learning environment where every child can thrive. In addition to infrastructure development, we work closely with 1,500 school administrators, Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), School Management Committees, students, and local communities to promote proper facility maintenance and long-term sustainability. Hygiene education, handwashing promotion, and student-led WASH clubs are integrated into the program to encourage healthy behaviors both at school and at home. Special attention is given to ensuring that girls have access to safe and private sanitation facilities that support menstrual hygiene management, helping reduce absenteeism and promoting gender equity in education. By investing in quality school sanitation infrastructure, GIFCE is helping schools become healthier, safer, and more welcoming places where children can learn with dignity, confidence, and good health. Together with communities and partners, we are building stronger schools and healthier futures for Liberia's next generation.
HEALTH EQUITY AND WELL-BEING FOR ALL
Reduce avoidable health gaps and improve access, quality, and equity for vulnerable groups.
Advancing Community Health Systems and Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health
GIFCE believes that everyone deserves access to quality, equitable, and life-saving healthcare—regardless of where they live. We are committed to reducing preventable illness and deaths by strengthening community health systems and improving access to maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) services in underserved communities. Our approach is built on strong partnerships with governments, healthcare providers, community leaders, and local volunteers to improve health outcomes while promoting equity, dignity, and inclusion. We prioritize community-based solutions that strengthen the connection between households and health facilities, encourage early care-seeking, and ensure that women, children, and vulnerable populations receive the care they need. Current Partnership Development GIFCE is currently developing strategic partnerships and mobilizing resources to launch its flagship Community-Linked Maternal and Newborn Survival Initiative (CL-MNSI) in rural Liberia. The proposed initiative aims to strengthen collaboration between community health actors, Traditional Trained Midwives (TTMs), Community Health Assistants (CHAs), and health facilities to improve maternal and newborn survival through timely referrals, community education, and stronger continuity of quality care. The project has been designed in close alignment with Liberia's national health priorities and is awaiting partner engagement and funding before implementation begins. GIFCE recognizes that lasting health improvements require collaboration. We welcome partnerships with governments, donors, healthcare institutions, civil society organizations, and communities to expand equitable healthcare access and improve the lives of women, children, and families. Together, we are building healthier communities by placing people at the center of change.
INCLUSIVE GOVERNANCE, LIVELIHOODS, AND RIGHTS
Strengthen income security and household resilience through adaptive, community-led systems.
Building Resilient Livelihoods and Stronger Communities
GIFCE is committed to strengthening household resilience by promoting sustainable livelihoods, inclusive local governance, and economic opportunities for vulnerable communities. We believe that lasting development is achieved when individuals, families, and communities have the skills, resources, and support needed to improve their own well-being. Our Resilient Livelihoods and Local Economic Governance initiative is designed to help communities increase income security through market-driven skills, micro-enterprise development, financial inclusion, adaptive social protection, and transparent community leadership. Particular emphasis will be placed on empowering women, young people, and other underserved groups to participate fully in local economic development. Current Partnership Development GIFCE is currently building strategic partnerships and engaging potential stakeholders to support future livelihood and economic empowerment initiatives in Liberia. At this stage, we are conducting community assessments, stakeholder consultations, and beneficiary identification to better understand local needs, priorities, and opportunities for sustainable impact. These activities will inform the design of community-led programs that are responsive, inclusive, and aligned with local development priorities. Program implementation has not yet commenced and will begin following the successful establishment of partnerships, completion of beneficiary selection, and mobilization of the necessary financial and technical resources. GIFCE welcomes collaboration with governments, donors, private sector partners, civil society organizations, and community leaders to create sustainable economic opportunities that empower individuals, strengthen communities, and promote inclusive development. Together, we are placing people at the center of change by building resilient livelihoods and creating pathways to sustainable prosperity.
Expanding Access to Justice and Protecting the Rights of Vulnerable Communities
GIFCE strives to mainstream gender-responsive budgeting, strengthen safeguarding systems, and operationalize Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) principles. GIFCE believes that every individual deserves to live with dignity, equality, and protection under the law. We work to promote inclusive communities where women, children, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups can access justice, participate in decision-making, and live free from violence and discrimination. To advance this vision, GIFCE has established a strategic partnership with Right To Know (RTK) Liberia, a community-based organization that provides access to justice services through a network of trained Community Justice Advisors (CJAs). Together, we are strengthening community-based protection systems and promoting peaceful, survivor-centered approaches to resolving disputes affecting vulnerable populations. Through this partnership, community members receive legal information, mediation services, psychosocial support, referrals, and guidance to help resolve family disputes, child support and custody cases, gender-related concerns, debt disputes, and other civil matters using alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms. Where appropriate, cases requiring formal legal action are referred to the justice system. Recent community interventions in Bong and Lofa Counties have helped women secure child support, strengthen family welfare, resolve child custody disputes, and improve access to community-based justice services while preserving peaceful relationships and protecting the best interests of children. The initiative has also increased awareness of individual rights and responsibilities, particularly among women and marginalized groups, while strengthening trust in community-based justice mechanisms. By working alongside communities and trusted local partners, GIFCE is helping create safer, more inclusive communities where rights are protected, vulnerable people are empowered, and every individual has the opportunity to live with dignity, equality, and hope. Together, we are placing people at the center of change by advancing justice, promoting equality, and protecting the rights of all.
CLIMATE RESILIENCE, SUSTAINABILITY, AND INNOVATION
Build disaster resilience, promote climate-smart agriculture, and drive innovation.
Community-Led Cassava Production and Garri Processing
GIFCE is strengthening rural livelihoods by supporting community-led agriculture and local enterprise development in Liberia. Through our Community Cassava Production and Garri Processing Initiative, we partner with farming communities to improve food security, create sustainable income opportunities for 98 farmers, and build resilient local economies. In Transta Community, Bong County, GIFCE is working alongside local 50 volunteers who collectively manage a five-acre cassava farm and process harvested cassava into garri for household consumption and local markets. The initiative demonstrates the power of community ownership, with women and men working together throughout the production process—from cultivation and harvesting to processing and marketing. GIFCE supports communities by strengthening agricultural value chains, promoting women's economic empowerment, improving market access, and building local capacity through technical assistance and community engagement. While challenges such as limited processing equipment, inadequate water access, and poor rural infrastructure remain, these also present opportunities to expand production and improve household incomes. Together with communities and partners, GIFCE is investing in sustainable agriculture that creates jobs, strengthens resilience, and empowers families to build a more prosperous future. Together, we are placing people at the center of change by transforming local agriculture into lasting economic opportunity.
EVIDENCE, LEARNING, AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Generate actionable evidence and scale proven solutions.
Transforming Evidence into Action for Lasting Impact
GIFCE believes that sustainable development is driven by evidence, innovation, and continuous learning. We are currently taking deliberate action to strengthening the use of research, data, and knowledge sharing to design effective programs, improve decision-making, and deliver measurable impact for the communities we serve. Our approach integrates implementation research, monitoring and evaluation, community feedback, and learning partnerships to ensure that every program is informed by evidence and responsive to local needs. By promoting a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, we aim to identify what works, scale successful approaches, and strengthen development outcomes across all our programs. Building Strategic Partnerships GIFCE has established a strategic partnership with Tougaloo College (USA) to strengthen research, academic collaboration, institutional capacity, and program implementation Fidelity. In addition, we are actively finalizing partnership agreements with several Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the United States. These collaborations will promote joint research, student and faculty engagement, implementation science, professional development, and knowledge exchange to improve community-centered development programs. GIFCE has also established a strategic partnership with Forefront to strengthen the organization's institutional capacity and resource mobilization efforts. Through this collaboration, GIFCE is enhancing its fundraising capabilities, organizational systems, and long-term sustainability to better deliver impactful programs for the communities it serves. Advancing Scientific Knowledge As part of our commitment to advancing evidence-based practice, GIFCE is finalizing the establishment of its peer-reviewed scientific journal, which will serve as a platform for publishing high-quality research, implementation experiences, policy analyses, and innovations in public health, education, humanitarian action, governance, agriculture, technology, climate resilience, rights and protection, and sustainable development. The journal will amplify African-American scholarship, encourage multidisciplinary collaboration, and provide researchers and practitioners with opportunities to share evidence that informs policy and practice. By investing in research, partnerships, and continuous learning, GIFCE is building a stronger foundation for accountable, evidence-driven programs that improve lives and create sustainable change. Together, we are transforming knowledge into action and placing evidence at the center of community empowerment.