Our Refugee Program
OVERVIEW
Life-changing learning for refugee children
At The Central Leadership Academy, we are creating transformational learning experiences for refugee and displaced children who have long been excluded from formal education. Situated in Bokay Town, Liberia, our school is built in a community that had no access to education for over 14 years, home to many refugee and internally displaced families.
We work in direct partnership with the community, co-creating an educational model that is inclusive, sustainable, and deeply rooted in local needs. From infrastructure development to curriculum design, community members and refugee voices guide our work, ensuring relevance, ownership, and long-term impact.
As part of our long-term commitment, CLA is dedicated to scaling access to 21st-century education– including leadership, entrepreneurship, and digital literacy– to refugee learners across other underserved regions in Liberia. Our commitment remains firm: to bring relevant, accessible, and empowering education to the children who have been left behind for far too long.
STATE OF EDUCATION FOR REFUGEE CHILDREN
Redefining Refugee Education in Forgotten Communities
Globally, over 43 million refugee children face barriers to education. Yet only half are enrolled in formal schooling. For those who are, overcrowded classrooms, limited resources, and low learning outcomes remain constant challenges.
In Bokay Town, where thousands of displaced and refugee families have settled, there was no school for over 14 years. Children grew up without access to basic literacy or safe learning spaces. The Central Leadership Academy was created to change that.
Our model offers high-quality, inclusive education tailored to the realities of refugee and under-resourced communities. Through 21st-century skills training, leadership development, and hands-on learning, we ensure that children, many of whom are learning for the first time, gain the tools to build brighter futures.
While traditional refugee education is often supported by short-term emergency funds, CLA is built on a community-driven and sustainable approach. It prioritizes long-term impact, local ownership, and educational resilience.
We believe that every child, regardless of their origin or status, deserves the right to learn, lead, and thrive.
"It is fundamental that children who have been uprooted by war and violence are not left behind even further."
Filippo Grandi (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)
REFUGEE PROGRAM IMPACT AT A GLANCE
Children Served
450
Programs
7
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