LEAD Monrovia Football Academy

Elite sports and holistic health for underserved youth

LEAD Monrovia Football Academy (LEAD MFA), is a full-time residential primary and secondary school in Careysburg, Liberia, that merges rigorous academics with elite sports training and holistic health for underserved youth. Established in 2015, the academy was motivated by the urgent need to address the severe lack of quality education and health services for children from economically challenged backgrounds in Liberia. LEAD MFA is also a partner of LEAD Edu, an international non-profit that supports and grows programmes with the aim of building a global network of ethical, empathetic, and entrepreneurial leaders.

Many students at LEAD MFA come from backgrounds where they previously received only one meal a day, and now they receive three nutritious meals daily, significantly improving their health and wellbeing. The academy’s holistic approach transcends
traditional educational boundaries by integrating physical education, nutritional meals, and comprehensive healthcare into a child’s learning experience. LEAD MFA also fosters socio-emotional growth and leadership skills through sport to support students on their journey to drive positive change in their communities.

Structured around the philosophy that health and education are interdependent, LEAD MFA’s programme includes daily sport training sessions, a balanced diet rich in local produce, and regular health check-ups. These initiatives have led to marked improvements in students' academic performance, with students performing 20% better academically than their peers. Additionally, students have shown higher levels of resilience, communication skills, and teamwork.

The academy is committed to gender equality and provides equal opportunities for boys and girls to engage in both sports and leadership activities. For example, one student from one of the most impoverished regions of Liberia became the football team captain and secured sports and academic scholarships in the United States, highlighting the transformative impact of the academy’s programmes.

Recognising the transformative power of sport and education, LEAD MFA has become a household name in Liberia, with a selection process that draws over a thousand applicants annually.

Should LEAD Monrovia Football Academy win the World's Best School Prize for Supporting Healthy Lives, the school aims to expand its impact, reaching more communities and reinforcing the vital role of integrated health education in fosteringsustainable development.