HELP LIBERIA FOUNDATION

Ignoring Traditions To Help Educate The Poor

Posted by Help Liberia Foundation on November 04, 2006

People take different decisions for different reasons. Sometimes those reasons are meaningless; sometimes they are meaningful. A case in point about people taking laudable and meaningful decisions has to do with two young citizens of Poland.

The two people are Alicia Kopacz and Peter Malecki (now, Mr. & Mrs. Peter and Alicia Malecki). Alicia is the first and only daughter of Mrs. Anna Kopacz, the Assistant Executive Director of the foundation. Alicia and Peter got married on 7 October 2006 in the Church of Saints Philip & Jacob in a beautiful little village called Sekowa, near Gorlice, the residence of Alicia’s parents.

The Executive Director and other guests standing in the open prior to the commencement of the ceremony. Standing on the right (foreground) is the groom-to-be, anxiously waiting for his bride-to-be, thinking that somebody has kidnapped her.

It’s a very strong tradition in Poland for guests, relatives and friends to give flowers to the couple after their marriage, especially right after the church ceremony – and almost everyone attending a wedding ceremony braces himself for this traditional duty.

But in the case of Alicia and Peter, they decided to ignore this age-old tradition. But why? The answer is simple, but essential – to help educate poor African children in Liberia. This what they did. Long before their marriage ceremony, they discussed, agreed and informed their parents that, instead of people buying flowers for them, they would like for the people to donate the money to the foundation for the education of Liberian children attending the Help Liberia Foundation School in Buchanan.

The couple standing in the church before the Priest. Look at the bride’s smile. It’s true that the odor of love always smells in the air, but only those whose olfactory nerves are arranged by the goddess of love can smell it. The Priest, Father Dziedzic, can only look on.

In order to emphasize the importance they attached to their decision and, in order to serve as a constant reminder to their guests, friends and relatives of their decision, Alicia and Peter printed the information on the official invitations before sending them out. It was an unprecedented decision, but it turned out that almost everyone receiving the invitation appreciated the move.

At the end of the day – after the guests had given their donations – a total of PLN1,140 was realized. Two days later, they deposited the amount into the foundation’s bank account.

the couple and their parents: Peter and his parents on the left, and Alicia and her parents on the right

Mr. Paul Yeenie Harry, Executive Director of HLF, who officially represented the foundation at the ceremony, presented a special statement to the couple on behalf of the foundation. He affirmed that the leadership of the foundation appreciated (and still does) Alicia and Peter’s philanthropic gesture towards the children of Liberia. He furthered that it was the foundation’s prayer and hope that the couple would continue to think about the foundation’s school in Liberia. He also wished them God’s blessings in their marriage and that God grant them their hearts’ desires.

Following the church ceremony, the guests went to the restaurant in the Glinik Hotel for refreshment and party. It was one of the most wonderful days ever, not only because there was a lot of food, great entertainment, friendly people and nice weather, but also because it was the day on which Alicia and Peter got married. Their faces continuously beamed with smiles, smiles which were caused by great internal joy. May God be praised!

Note: All those who want to cooperate with the foundation or help the foundation’s school in Liberia may contact us, using our mailing address, or write us at office@help-liberia.org

Additional photos:

If you thought the Executive Director could not dance, then you made a big mistake.

Oh my God! But who told you that the groom cannot get excited, especially when the music is tempting and nonstop?

Mother and daughter – what a joyous occasion!

Wait a minute! You thought the mother would not shake her body?

If you thought it was only dancing, and no eating, then we feel sorry for you. See for yourself.

Other guests at the Glinik Hotel