The Paleh Education Fund
Unlocking Opportunities
Facilitating Access to Learning, Skills and Jobs for Liberian Students
The Paleh Education Fund
Unlocking Opportunities
Facilitating Access to Learning, Skills and Jobs for Liberian Students
About The Paleh Education Fund
Our Story
About the Founder
What is The PEF?
In 1968 at the age of 40, Cecilia Paleh Lawrence founded and opened a primary school in Liberia called The Christian Foundation Mission School. Six years later, on a trip to visit her daughter who was studying for her MBA at Syracuse University, she enrolled herself in a continuing education program at the University to advance her high s
In 1968 at the age of 40, Cecilia Paleh Lawrence founded and opened a primary school in Liberia called The Christian Foundation Mission School. Six years later, on a trip to visit her daughter who was studying for her MBA at Syracuse University, she enrolled herself in a continuing education program at the University to advance her high school level education. She considered education a gateway to a better life and her motto was “my children will enjoy what I did not enjoy”.
In her honor, and that of both of my parents who enjoyed more than their parents did and went on to afford to their children more opportunities than they had, The Paleh Education Fund (PEF) was launched on October 10th, 2023.
In loving Memory of Bigma
October 10th, 1928 – May 22nd, 2011
What is The PEF?
About the Founder
What is The PEF?
Thanks to the generosity of the founder’s global network, The PEF will be able to contribute to reducing some of the barriers to personal advancement that are systemic in Liberia. The PEF believes that all students should have access to education opportunities no matter their geographic location or ability to pay and is based on the prem
Thanks to the generosity of the founder’s global network, The PEF will be able to contribute to reducing some of the barriers to personal advancement that are systemic in Liberia. The PEF believes that all students should have access to education opportunities no matter their geographic location or ability to pay and is based on the premise that every student brings a different understanding of complex political and social issues to the classroom and their work environment.
We offer a variety of awards designed to meet the diverse needs and interests of students. From vocational training to degrees in Mass Media Communications, our programs are designed to provide students with the skills, knowledge, and experience they need to succeed.
About the Founder
About the Founder
About the Founder
Asatu Paleh Yuane Shannon shares a middle name with her maternal grandmother, after whom The Paleh Education Fund is named. She has a BSc in International Finance with a minor in Biology from The American University, an MSc in Financial Economics from Boston University’s International Graduate Program, and an MBA from University of Chicag
Asatu Paleh Yuane Shannon shares a middle name with her maternal grandmother, after whom The Paleh Education Fund is named. She has a BSc in International Finance with a minor in Biology from The American University, an MSc in Financial Economics from Boston University’s International Graduate Program, and an MBA from University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business. Even before pursuing higher education, in high school Asatu was a Dean's List student, member of the National Honor Society and completed several Advanced Placement (AP) classes. Professionally, Asatu is a certified Investment Advisor and Investment Banker in the United Kingdom where she successfully completed the Investment Management Certificate (IMC), CISI Securities, CISI Regulations, and CISI Derivatives examinations.
Her vision is to support those who demonstrate intellectual curiosity to attain their education and professional goals.
The PEF Programs
Vocational School Scholarship
Vocational School Scholarship
Vocational School Scholarship
Education in Liberia is free at government schools, but most of those schools lack adequate learning facilities. Consequently, many parents prefer private schools, which can be very expensive for the average Liberian. The result is a dire education predicament. So, many Liberians consider vocational schools where they can quickly learn
Education in Liberia is free at government schools, but most of those schools lack adequate learning facilities. Consequently, many parents prefer private schools, which can be very expensive for the average Liberian. The result is a dire education predicament. So, many Liberians consider vocational schools where they can quickly learn hard and transferable skills to have a better chance at becoming independent. For the Vocational Training Schools Scholarship, PEF will partner with reputable Vocational Schools in different communities within Liberia to ensure it can reach talented students beyond central Monrovia, while also reducing some commuting costs to the students. For the 2023-2024 academic season, The PEF has shortlisted NVTI, LOIC, and MVTC as partner schools.
Mass Media Grant
Vocational School Scholarship
Vocational School Scholarship
Journalism in Liberia sometimes gets a bad rap, characterized as being ridden with defamation, scandal, and poor delivery. The result is that the true message, breakthrough, and knowledge sharing get clouded. Poor journalism may deter qualified professionals from entering spaces where their work can be evaluated publicly for fear that i
Journalism in Liberia sometimes gets a bad rap, characterized as being ridden with defamation, scandal, and poor delivery. The result is that the true message, breakthrough, and knowledge sharing get clouded. Poor journalism may deter qualified professionals from entering spaces where their work can be evaluated publicly for fear that it may be misrepresented. Simply put, good journalism is one of the cornerstones of development.
The Mass Media Grant could either be awarded as an education scholarship or support for professionals attending relevant industry events such as conferences or seminars that will enable them to hone their skills. Technical skill building, exposure and expanding their network are the goals of this grant.
School Support
Vocational School Scholarship
School Support
The fund will also find opportunities to bring learning institutions up to good working standards through subsidizing salaries and/or carrying out relevant renovations. There is no limit to what schools in Liberia can benefit from to truly meet the needs of their pupils and staff, therefore, a budget will be earmarked to finance small pr
The fund will also find opportunities to bring learning institutions up to good working standards through subsidizing salaries and/or carrying out relevant renovations. There is no limit to what schools in Liberia can benefit from to truly meet the needs of their pupils and staff, therefore, a budget will be earmarked to finance small projects. The PEF will work with its partner schools as well as look within its broader Liberian network to identify worthy causes that it can positively impact.
2023/2024 Partner Schools
NetLib Vocational Training Institute (NVTI)
Liberia Opportunities Industrialization Center (LOIC)
NetLib Vocational Training Institute (NVTI)
N.V.T.I. was established to empower the skilled and unskilled individual willing to achieve quality technical vocational training in order to contribute in society.
Monrovia Vocational Training Center (MVTC)
Liberia Opportunities Industrialization Center (LOIC)
NetLib Vocational Training Institute (NVTI)
MVTC was founded in 1978 and renovated in 2015. It provides vocational and technical training to Liberian youths to meet the needs of industries as well as contribute to national development.
Liberia Opportunities Industrialization Center (LOIC)
Liberia Opportunities Industrialization Center (LOIC)
Liberia Opportunities Industrialization Center (LOIC)
LOIC is the largest indigenous non-governmental skills training organization in Liberia and has operated since 1977, providing basic skills training and support services to the youth of Liberia.