Monrovia, Liberia – August 22, 2025 — The Fatimah Project Mission, under the leadership of its Chief Executive Officer, Madam Sonia Harrison, has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering Liberian youth—both boys and girls—through the integration of life skills and sports-based programs.
Speaking during a donation ceremony held on Sunday, August 17, 2025, Madam Harrison emphasized that while she firmly believes in the power of sports—particularly football—her broader mission is to promote holistic development and inclusion for all young people in Liberia.
“My mission is outreach,” she stated. “I want to see how best children can be empowered by instilling life skills in them to better their future.”
During the event, Madam Harrison donated several footballs to the Africa New Stars Sports Academy (ANSSA)—one of Liberia’s fastest-growing grassroots football academies, founded on September 23, 2021. The donation forms part of her ongoing efforts to support youth initiatives across the country.
She stressed that the vision of the Fatimah Project Mission is to create opportunities for young people while steering them away from drug abuse and other harmful behaviors. Although sports remain a key focus, Madam Harrison clarified that the project also utilizes educational approaches to reach and empower youth with varying interests and talents.
“Not every child is passionate about sports,” she said. “So, we’re exploring different strategies—education being one of them—to ensure that no child is left behind.”
Speaking about the future of ANSSA, Madam Harrison pledged to advocate for the academy’s inclusion in international grassroots sports events, to give players exposure to broader developmental opportunities.
“I want the players to remain positive and committed to their development. Once I return, I will begin lobbying to create these opportunities for them,” she assured.
Also speaking at the event, ANSSA Supervisor Mr. Melvin T. Panton expressed deep appreciation for the donation and Madam Harrison’s vision.
“We are grateful for the gesture, the encouraging words, and the commitment to do more for the youth,” Mr. Panton stated.
He shared his aspiration to see ANSSA players one day representing elite European clubs, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Manchester City.
“Our secret here at ANSSA is commitment, hard work, dedication, mindset, and belief. We believe we can achieve whatever we set our minds to,” he added.
Mr. Panton also highlighted the progress of ANSSA players, many of whom are currently training with Liberia’s national junior teams, including the U-12, U-15, and U-17 squads.
“We are blessed as a young club to have our players progressing well in these national team setups,” he noted.
The partnership between the Fatimah Project Mission and ANSSA represents a growing movement in Liberia toward community-driven youth development, using both sports and education to build a brighter, more empowered generation.
