Transforming Barriers through the Father to School Program

Philip Esau Wolova is a resident of Sackie Bomo Town Community, on the Bong Mines Road, Kakata, Margibi County in West Central Liberia.  A father of five children, four girls and a boy, Mr.  Wolova assists his wife and family carry out daily chores or activities in the home. He provides sustenance for his family through trading (retail gasoline sales to commercial motorbikes and vehicles). He also does petty trade, selling soap and other items to members of the community.

Mr. Wolova unpacks his goods to begin trading

Mr.  Wolova is a trainee of the Center for Justice and Peace Studies (CJPS) and Bread for the World Father School Program. In October 2023, CJPS certificated 75 youth and adults in Kakata, Margibi County, following months of training under the Father School Program of the Girls Empowerment Project.

The Center for Justice & Peace Studies – CJPS conducted the training with support from Bread for the World. The training enabled the young men to become supportive to their spouses and children, while also making them equitable partners to their wives. It also enabled the men to become agents of change and help them to transform negative norms, and toxic masculinity and enable them to become involved in household work and family support.

The Girls Empowerment Program works with adolescent girls and young women, boys and men to create a conducive environment that supports the education and development of vulnerable people, especially adolescent girls and young women. Mr. Wolova says following his enrollment into the program, he has become a responsible father, providing support to his wife and children through household assistance and providing guidance, and physical support to his wife and children.

“Since graduating from the program, I have assumed my roles and responsibilities in the home as a father. I assist my wife and give her all the respect as my wife,” says Mr. Wolova.

He is one of many fathers who have been transformed by the CJPS, Bread for the World Girls Empowerment Program. Many of them expressed their admiration for such training, noting that an extension to other communities would benefit many young men and adults, which could see a change in the behavior of many fathers, especially in providing care and home support to their wives and children.

Before the Father School Program, Mr. Wolova said he did not know that fathers should provide assistance to their wives and help raise the children in the home. He says he left almost all of the responsibility of raising the children to this wife.  

“Supervision was solely the work of my wife. I did not assist the home as regards supervision and monitoring the home.” Mr. Wolova recounted.

As an Agriculturist, Mr. Wolova earns money from harvesting and sales of rice and vegetables. He says he uses earnings from the harvest to help support his family.  “Women should not be the ones to do all the housework.” Mr. Wolova noted. He wants male partners to help their spouses and wives with house chores, raising the kids, and managing their homes. Mr. Wolova also helps his wife with the laundry and cooks, when his wife is busy with the kids.

“After my training, I now understand and realize that the father should support the family and direct along with his wife how the home should be run.”  He said.