Upskill Africa Foundation

Inclusive Education for Every Child in Africa

Upskill Africa Foundation (UAF) is a youth-led nonprofit organization that advances access to education for underprivileged children, adolescents, and youth by identifying and advocating for children who are out of school or at risk of dropping out; protecting them from abuse and unsafe learning environments; connecting them to appropriate support and protection services; and helping them return to and remain in school.

We mobilize resources, monitor schools and communities, empower households with income-generating skills, and mentor students and youth through our Career and Community Youth Development programs, digital rights initiatives, leadership development, career guidance, and professional mentorship opportunities.

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Our Background

UAF was established in response to the persistent barriers that prevent children and young people from accessing and benefiting from education, including poverty, school exclusion and dropout, child neglect and abuse, unsafe learning environments, limited household support, and weak community-level systems for identifying and responding to vulnerable children. We believe that these challenges are interconnected and require practical, community-based solutions that address both immediate needs and the underlying conditions that keep children and young people excluded.

Our work is centered on the belief that every child matters and every child deserves to be seen, protected, supported, and given a meaningful opportunity to learn and thrive. We work directly with communities, schools, families, children, adolescents, youth, women, community leaders, government institutions, and development partners to strengthen pathways to education, protection, skills development, and sustainable opportunities.

UAF's approach combines community mobilization, community and schools monitoring, child identification and referral, advocacy, school reintegration and retention support, child protection, youth career development, mentorship, and household economic empowerment. We do not view school enrollment as the end of the process. We work to understand and address the social, economic, and protection-related barriers that can prevent children from entering school, remaining in school, and succeeding in their education.

Inclusive Education for All

Every child should be seen, protected, supported, and given a meaningful opportunity to learn and thrive.

Why Our Work Matters

UAF works from direct community engagement, verified evidence, and practical support so children and young people can access safe, inclusive, and sustainable education opportunities.

Every Child Deserves to Be Seen

Too many children face barriers to education, protection, and opportunity. UAF works at the community level to identify children who are out of school or at risk and connect them with appropriate education and protection support.

We Put Evidence Before Assumptions

UAF collects and documents accurate, community-level data on out-of-school and at-risk children through direct engagement, identification, verification, and monitoring.

Education Must Be Safe, Inclusive, and Sustainable

Enrolling a child in school is only the beginning. We work with families, schools, and communities to strengthen protection, attendance, retention, and follow-up.

Strategic Advocacy & Evidence

UAF shares reliable community-level data and lived experiences with NGOs, CSOs, government institutions, development partners, and stakeholders to support informed action.

UAF Pilot Program Results | 2023-2025

Since its establishment in 2023, Upskill Africa Foundation (UAF) has implemented community-based pilot programs focused on education access, child protection, youth development, digital literacy, and household empowerment. Through these initiatives, UAF has reached underserved communities and generated practical experience and evidence to inform the expansion of its programs.

14 Communities Reached

UAF's pilot programs reached 14 communities across Montserrado County and Voinjama, Lofa County, engaging children, youth, families, women, schools, and community stakeholders.

75+ Out-of-School Children Identified

UAF identified 75+ children who were out of school or had dropped out, helping bring greater visibility to children experiencing educational exclusion and informing targeted support and advocacy.

38 Children Supported to Re-Enroll

38 children were supported to return to school, with UAF and community partners providing follow-up to encourage continued attendance and retention.

500+ Youth & Students Reached

More than 500 youth and students were reached and empowered through UAF's education, youth development, mentorship, skills, and community-based activities.

35 Women Empowered

35 women were supported with income-generating and practical livelihood skills aimed at strengthening household resilience and reducing economic barriers to children's education.

55+ Youth Trained in Digital Literacy

More than 55 young people received training in digital literacy and practical digital applications, helping strengthen their ability to use technology for learning, communication, personal development, and future opportunities.

Our Programs

UAF implements community-driven programs that address interconnected barriers to education, child protection, youth development, civic participation, and household economic resilience. Our programs are designed to identify needs, create practical pathways to opportunity, strengthen community participation, and support lasting change.

No Invisible Child (NIC) Initiative

Identifying. Protecting. Reconnecting. Retaining.

The No Invisible Child (NIC) Initiative identifies children ages 5-14 who are out of school or at risk of dropping out and works with families and communities to understand and address the barriers affecting their education.

The initiative advocates for children's education rights, protection, and access to learning, supports reintegration into formal education, and provides mentorship, attendance tracking, and follow-up support.

Community Youth Development & Civic Leadership

Building Leadership. Inspiring Participation. Creating Change.

The program equips young people with leadership, communication, decision-making, and civic engagement skills needed to participate meaningfully in their communities.

Through mentorship and practical engagement, it develops confident, responsible, and community-minded young leaders prepared to contribute constructively to society.

Women & Households Empowerment Initiative (WHEI)

Empowering Women. Strengthening Families. Building Resilience.

WHEI supports women and vulnerable households with practical livelihood and income-generating skills while strengthening entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and small-business capacity.

The initiative helps families improve their ability to meet household needs and sustain children's education.

Real-Life Lessons from Experience (RLX)

Learning from Experience. Preparing for Opportunity.

RLX is UAF's career and experiential learning platform, anchored by an annual Career Development Summit.

It connects students and young people with practical knowledge, career insights, mentorship, and lessons drawn from real professional and entrepreneurial experiences.

Digital Learning Alternative (DLA)

Digital Skills. Practical Learning. New Opportunities.

DLA provides practical digital learning opportunities for young people and underserved learners who need relevant technology skills for education, work, entrepreneurship, and everyday life.

The program focuses on digital literacy, computer skills, office applications, technology use, and confidence to use technology for learning and future opportunities.

Partner With Us to Transform Lives

Together, we can bridge gaps in access, opportunity, and lifelong learning for vulnerable children and communities.

We welcome partnerships in:

Educational sponsorship and learning materials
Child protection and advocacy collaboration
Youth skills development and training
Volunteerism and mentorship
Grants and funding partnerships
Technical and institutional support

Take Action

Your partnership helps create safe learning environments and sustainable opportunities.

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“Together, we can ensure that every child, young person, and woman has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.”

— Upskill Africa Foundation (UAF)