Back from Liberia: Building the Next Chapter for Rilo Foundation School 🇱🇷💛

Richard and I just returned from Liberia, where we visited the Rilo Foundation School and met with all key stakeholders to shape the strategy for the years ahead.

A Wobbly Start

We landed at Monrovia airport at 6:30 a.m., only to find that our suitcases—packed with school materials—were still in Casablanca and likely wouldn’t arrive until we were leaving. But there was no time to waste: our first meeting was at 8:30 a.m. with the Ministry of Education, where we discussed their perspective on the school’s needs, opportunities for improvement, and whether any government support could be available in the future.

A Warm Welcome at the School

Next up was a visit to the school itself. We were greeted with a beautiful welcome ceremony by the children, teachers, and staff—it was really heartwarming. We then held in-depth sessions with the teachers to talk about ways to further strengthen education quality and daily operations.

Meeting the Mayor

Later that day, we met with the local Mayor, a former teacher with a clear passion for education. We were delighted to learn that he had already visited the school before we arrived and was eager to help. He promised to assist us in finding new land so the school can expand and accommodate more students.

Negotiating Stability

The following day, we met with the current landlord, who has been challenging to deal with for some time, even threatening to evict us. He expressed a wish for us to buy the property—but at a price we don’t believe reflects its value or future potential. Instead, we agreed to make an upfront payment that secures our place for now, allowing us to focus calmly on finding new land without added pressure.

Visiting Families

That afternoon, we visited several students at their homes and met their families. We brought along large bags of rice as a token of appreciation for their hospitality. Many of the children live with grandparents or in large families in very modest conditions. The Rilo School continues to prioritise children from low-income families, single-parent homes, or those without active guardians—including former child soldiers—so every visit is a powerful reminder of why this work matters so deeply.

Strategy for the Future

Our final meeting was with Morris Matadi and his local team, where we spent time discussing how to maintain and strengthen the school’s quality as it grows. Morris would love to welcome all children who apply, but we agreed that expansion must happen sustainably. Together, we outlined priorities around water supply, electricity for classroom lighting, extracurricular activities, and safe transport options for students.

Looking Ahead

The next morning, I was on a 5 a.m. flight back to London. Richard, ever resourceful, managed to retrieve three of the suitcases that had finally arrived—emptied them quickly, and checked them straight back in! One suitcase, however, remains on an adventure of its own somewhere in the world. 😉

Now back home, I’m documenting our findings and refining the strategy. There’s so much to be done, but we’ll take it one step at a time to ensure long-term sustainability.

Once we’ve secured new land, we plan to host our first Fundraiser Ball to raise money for construction—so keep an eye out for your invite!

If you’d like to help already, any donation, shipment of school supplies, volunteering offer, or creative idea is warmly welcome.

Get in touch at ihelp@riloconnect.com — I’d love to hear from you.

Thank you for being part of this journey.You’re awesome. 💛

Warm regards,

Louise & Richard