Mineke Foundation

Mineke Foundation Mineke Foundation builds economic self-reliance for youth & women through skills & business training, microloans and business coaching.

We also run Damiefa School, offering affordable private education from nursery through Grade 9. Contact details: +231778158020 | +231881676657

Mineke Foundation is an NGO founded in 2009 by Tonia Dabwe to continue her parents' work. The foundation works in Liberia, West Africa, one of the poorest countries in the world. It is named after Tonia's mother who went missing during the Liberian civil

war. Mineke Foundation focuses on the economical empowerment of people in Dabwe Town and surrounding communities, helping them become self-reliant. We provide skills & business training, affordable kindergarten & primary school education, and micro loans. Our goal is to enable residents of Dabwe Town and surrounding communities to take responsibility for their own lives, development and futures. Founder Tonia Dabwe says: "Back in 1968, my parents were the first inhabitants of the area that is today known as Dabwe Town. The community that grew around them named itself after my father to honor the efforts my parents made to help develop the community. Their efforts were centred around my father's vision that a country dependent on food imports, is a country enslaved. My father dedicated his life to teaching others. First through his work at the Liberian ministry of Agriculture, and later through his 4-acre experimental farm, where he showed visitors on a daily basis what could be achieved with simple and inexpensive methods, using only what is indigenous to Liberia. Through the Damiefa primary school, founded in 1982, he taught schoolchildren elementary skills and basic agriculture, which they could use when helping their families grow their own food. In addition to this, they built roads, constructed simple bridges, introduced running water and electricity, sponsored schoolchildren, and supported small businesses. The Liberian civil war, which started on Christmas Eve, 1989, put an end to their work, and eventually, destroyed most of what they had worked so hard to attain and their family happiness. My mother Mineke was abducted by rebels and has been missing since. But now a new and peaceful era has begun. My vision is to continue what my parents started. I founded Mineke Foundation in January 2009 to pursue this objective."

"In Liberia, families face a difficult choice: overcrowded public schools or expensive private ones that are out of reac...
15/06/2026

"In Liberia, families face a difficult choice: overcrowded public schools or expensive private ones that are out of reach. 🏫

Mineke Foundation is helping to change that. Through Damiefa School—our education program in the heart of Dabwe Town—we give families a third option: affordable fees, quality instruction, and a real investment in their children's futures, and much more.

Because we believe where you're born shouldn't determine what you become.
📊 Swipe to see what makes Damiefa different.

"Empowering women. Savings clubs. Business coaching. Monthly meetings. Tier systems.💼A lot goes into running a program t...
11/06/2026

"Empowering women. Savings clubs. Business coaching. Monthly meetings. Tier systems.💼

A lot goes into running a program that supports 283 women—and we wouldn't change a thing.

This is what sustainable development actually looks like: slow, deliberate, community-centered work.

Want to support this work? Every contribution helps us do more. Link in bio.

"

"In 2009, Tonia Dabwe founded Mineke Foundation to honour two people who believed education and self-reliance could chan...
08/06/2026

"In 2009, Tonia Dabwe founded Mineke Foundation to honour two people who believed education and self-reliance could change a community forever: her parents.💚

Today, we are 283 women strong in our Women's Club. Almost 400 students are enrolled in Damiefa School. One shared vision.

We didn't get here alone. Behind every number is a donor, a volunteer, a community member who said yes. Thank you.

📌 Save this post to share our story.

From morning assembly to afternoon lessons—here's a glimpse inside Damiefa School on a regular Thursday. 📚Teachers dedic...
04/06/2026

From morning assembly to afternoon lessons—here's a glimpse inside Damiefa School on a regular Thursday. 📚

Teachers dedicated. Students focused. Community invested.

Quality education shouldn't be a privilege. At Damiefa, it's a right, and we're fighting every day to keep it that way.

🔗 Link in bio to learn more about our school.

For now, the Mineke Foundation Resource Center is primarily used by our Damiefa School students but that is only the beg...
27/05/2026

For now, the Mineke Foundation Resource Center is primarily used by our Damiefa School students but that is only the beginning. Our founder, Tonia Dabwe, has always envisioned this space as something bigger: a learning hub that serves the entire Dabwe Town community and beyond.

As we move through 2026, we are taking ambitious steps to turn this vision into a reality. We believe in building things that last, and we are excited to expand our reach.

Here is what’s coming to the Resource Center:

📖 Public Lending Library: We are working on launching the area’s first lending library. For a low fee, local children can borrow age-appropriate books and educational toys, providing access to literacy that currently doesn't exist elsewhere in our community.

📱 Ed-Tech Innovation: We are exploring low-bandwidth digital solutions, including tablets pre-loaded with educational software to reinforce classroom learning in a practical, modern way.

💻 Digital Skills for All: We are preparing to relaunch our computer lab to offer digital literacy lessons for local high school students, youth, and adults, helping them compete in a digital world.

The Resource Center is designed to stand on its own, growing responsibly to serve a wider group of learners beyond our school gates. It’s an ambitious journey that will take time to refine, but the impact on local education will be transformative.

👉 Find out more about our Resource Center key features through this link: https://minekefoundation.org/all-projects/resource-center/

The Women’s Club at Mineke Foundation is more than a programme; it is a pathway to dignity and financial independence. W...
22/05/2026

The Women’s Club at Mineke Foundation is more than a programme; it is a pathway to dignity and financial independence. We are thrilled to share that our community has grown to 283 members!

To support this growth, our founder Tonia Dabwe and the team have implemented new, professional systems to ensure every woman succeeds. We’ve introduced a Membership Tier System that groups women by their stage of business development, allowing us to provide hyper-focused training and coaching.

Alongside this, our Special Credit Fund now uses a tiered loan cycle where promotion is earned through business growth and repayment diligence. While we professionalise our systems—including enhanced oversight of our Savings Club and completing our latest financial audits—the heart of the Club remains centered on:

🧵 Vocational & Life Skills: Practical training in, for example, soap-making and tailoring paired with confidence-building and health education.

📈 Business Coaching: Hands-on guidance through home and business visits to help women overcome real-world challenges.

🤝 Peer Support: A strong network of solidarity where members stand by each other during both hardship and celebration.

We believe that when women have the right systems and a supportive community, there is no limit to what they can achieve.

What other key component do you believe is essential for women’s empowerment? Leave your comment below! 👇💭

Following the     on May 5, we want to share about the roots of Mineke Foundation. To understand our work today, you mus...
14/05/2026

Following the on May 5, we want to share about the roots of Mineke Foundation. To understand our work today, you must understand where we started.

In 1968, Dabwe Wiah and Mineke Muilerman were the first residents of the community that was later named Dabwe Town, Liberia. Dabwe was a visionary who founded Damiefa School together with Mineke in 1982, believing that self-reliance and education were the keys to freedom.

In 1992, during the civil war, Mineke was tragically abducted and never found.

To honour them, their daughter and our founder Tonia Dabwe established Mineke Foundation in 2009. We carry forward their legacy through:

🔵 Education: Growing Damiefa School to serve the next generation.

🟢 Empowerment and skill-building: Supporting women in building sustainable businesses.

Dabwe passed away in 2024, but his vision lives on in every student.

👉 Read our full story: https://minekefoundation.org/about-us

Originally founded in the 1980s by our leader’s parents, Damiefa School was built to give the children of Dabwe Town a s...
07/05/2026

Originally founded in the 1980s by our leader’s parents, Damiefa School was built to give the children of Dabwe Town a strong start. Though the war forced its closure, our mission never died. In 2020, the Mineke Foundation began the work of rebuilding.

Today, we bridge the gap in Monrovia, providing affordable, high-quality education for families caught between overcrowded public schools and expensive private ones.

As we celebrate our 44th Anniversary, we invite you to join us for:

🎊 Damiefa School – Gala Day Week

When: May 11 – May 14
Time: 08:00 - 17:00 Daily
Where: Damiefa School, Dabwe Town, Monrovia

Our commitment remains unchanged:
✅ Affordable fees for local families.
✅ Academic support through our vacation school.
✅ Investment in teacher quality and student safety.

📖 Learn more about Damiefa School on our webpage https://minekefoundation.org/all-projects/damiefa-school/

Faces of Mineke Foundation — Jonathan J. SulontehJonathan’s journey with Mineke Foundation is one of dedication, growth,...
30/04/2026

Faces of Mineke Foundation — Jonathan J. Sulonteh

Jonathan’s journey with Mineke Foundation is one of dedication, growth, and service.

Since joining in 2016, he has taken on multiple roles—starting as a volunteer, then supporting operations, and later stepping into leadership within Damiefa School. Today, he is guiding students and staff with commitment and purpose.

Holding a BA in Political Science, an Associate Degree in School Administration, a Diploma in Journalism, and several additional certifications, Jonathan brings both knowledge and passion to his work.

His impact lies in his dedication to education, community service, and developing opportunities for others.

Because true leadership is built through consistency, service, and a belief in the future of every child.

Address

Damiefa School Compound, 12th Street, Dabwe Town
Gardnersville

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
Friday 09:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+231778158019

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Mineke Foundation posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Mineke Foundation:

Share