Damiefa School Liberia: A Legacy Born from Love and Land
In the early 1980s, a Liberian man named Charles C. Dabwe Wiah and his Dutch wife, Mineke Muilerman, began their life together in Liberia with a simple yet visionary idea: an experimental farm that would sustain both body and mind. From this grew Damiefa School – the name itself a beautiful blend of DAbwe and MIneke Experimental FArm. Their mission? To provide affordable, high-quality education combined with practical agricultural skills for children and adults in Dabwe Town and surrounding communities.
The Shadow of Civil War in Liberia
Like so many institutions across Liberia, Damiefa School was forced to close during the country’s devastating civil war (1989–2003). Buildings fell into disrepair, communities were torn apart, and generations of children lost access to consistent education. The dream paused, but it never died.
The Revival: A Daughter’s Determination
In November 2021, the story took a beautiful turn. Tonia Dabwe, daughter of the original founders and now the driving force behind the Mineke Foundation, reopened the school doors. What began with just 17 students in the 2021/2022 school year quickly grew: 53 the next year, 69 after that, and nearly 400 students by the 2024/2025 school year.
This rapid rebirth was fueled by renovations, door-to-door outreach, community trust, and a commitment to blending the Liberian national curriculum with innovative extras like art, agriculture, digital skills, and reading programs.
Hands-On Learning: Bringing the Founders’ Farm Vision Back to Life
True to its roots, Damiefa School integrates practical skills into education. Students grow vegetables in school gardens, learn basic agriculture, create art that sparks creativity, and build digital literacy, all while preparing for national exams.
A Bright Future and a Call to Action
Today, Damiefa School stands as a beacon of hope in Gardnersville, Liberia, deeply rooted in its community, inclusive through scholarships (capped at 20% to ensure sustainability), and ambitious to grow into a national model school. With plans for new facilities, expanded programs, and full financial self-reliance, the revival is just beginning.
This is more than a school – it’s proof that education can rise from ashes, heal communities, and shape Liberia’s future.
Stories like Damiefa’s show what’s possible when hope and community come together. If this journey inspires you, we’d love for you to be part of the next chapter. Visit www.minekefoundation.org to learn more about the school and ways to get involved, whether that’s following our updates on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn, exploring volunteer opportunities, or contributing in whatever way feels right to you. Together, we can keep building brighter futures in Liberia.