HELP LIBERIA FOUNDATION

Education Is The Answer

Posted by Help Liberia Foundation on August 21, 2007

Liberia, a West African country that is rich with many natural resources, is burdened with numerous problems. It experienced series of devastating civil wars for fourteen years (1989-2003), wars that have worsened its condition. For example, according to statistics, unemployment is more than 75-percent and illiteracy rate is about 80-percent. Also, about 80-percent of the population lives on less than $1 a day. The situation is horrible!

How to revise these appalling situations and give hope to all Liberians, especially the children, is one of the paramount challenges facing Liberia. The question, then, becomes: What should be done to develop Liberia on a sustainable basis?

In an effort to answer this fundamental question, some say more Liberians should be encouraged to become entrepreneurs. Others say foreign investment should be encouraged. Still, others say that the government should provide employment opportunities for all of it’s citizens. Some say a combination of all these methods will solve the problem.

While we agree that each of the points above is germane, great and sustainable development will not be achieved if education is not made the bedrock of the process. For example, Liberians may not be able to do real business when they lack the requisite education to operate in a complex business world. If foreign investors are encouraged into the country, but there are not many educated or qualified Liberians to occupy jobs offered by the foreign companies, expatriates will take over. Even if it boils down to the government providing job opportunities for its people, there must be educated and competent Liberians to fully utilize the opportunities.

So, what, then, should be done? G. W. Curtis, a thinker, once said, “The sure foundations of the state are laid in knowledge, not in ignorance; and every sneer at education, at culture, and at book-learning which is the recorded wisdom of the experience of mankind, is the demagogue’s sneer at intelligent liberty, inviting national degeneracy and ruin.” If Curtis’ statement is anything to go by, then the development of the mind – that is, the education of the individual – is the sine qua non. We must help to develop the minds of the young people through education.

Most Liberians, both the young and the old, have come to realize that education is the answer to salvaging Liberia from its present condition. Education must be provided to all, especially for the children of the have-nots. We must try to make Liberia a literate society – we must help to reduce the 80-percent illiteracy rate, if not eradicate it. If it is true that illiteracy is a disease, then most Liberians are sick, and it is this sickness that is mainly harming Liberia and its people.

While serving as guest speaker at the closing program of HLF school in the City Of Buchanan on July 29, Mr. Anthony Nimely, Assistant City Mayor of Buchanan, stressed the importance of education to the parents and students present. Speaking on the topic, “How We Can Eradicate Illiteracy In Liberia,” he pointed out, among other things, that the future of Liberia depends on how we prepare the youth of today. He also admonished parents and guardians to be willing to deny themselves of many things in order to pay their children’s school fees.

graduating kids joyously entering the program hall

Student Garby David introducing the program

The City Mayor’s point was well made, but the dilemma is this: How can the parents of a nation whose unemployment rate stands at more than 75-percent send their children to school? For how long can these parents manage to send their children to school when about 80-percent of the population lives on less than $1 a day? This is where individuals and institutions of good will must come in to assist the needy.

graduates displaying their certificates

Student with the highest grade point, Ishmael Yancy, is being honored by the school; he is being pinned by Mrs. Jones.

In a related development, the City Mayor expressed appreciation to the foundation for its effort in helping Liberia and its people, especially the children, by providing them education. He appealed to the leadership of the foundation to continue to help in giving education to Liberian children from poor background.

Also speaking at the program was Mr. Sam Suku, Chairman of the Parent-Teacher Association (P-T.A.) of the school. He thanked the administration of the school, the foundation and all sponsors of the foundation for helping their children to go to school. The parents, through the P-T.A. Chairman, indicated that there is a great need for the foundation to construct its own school building since the current building was not constructed to be a school building, and since the lease agreement with the owner will expire in 2009. The parents asked, “What will happen to the children, if the owner of the building refuses to renew the lease agreement in 2009?”

P-T.A. Chairman Sam Suku making comments at the program

An appreciative parent thanking the foundation for helping her children to go to school

The parents have a legitimate concern. The foundation recognizes the need for the school to have its own building. In fact, it has been one of our major goals since the school was established two years ago, but in the face of limited resources, it’s not possible for the foundation to put up a building now. However, we are talking with our sponsors and other individuals for the construction of a new school building for the kids.

partial view of HLF school building

At this juncture, the foundation wishes to express gratitude to all its sponsors, as well as to all those who have provided some form of assistance in giving education to the needy children in Liberia, especially the children attending the foundation’s school. Without them, the foundation would not be able to do what it is doing. We thank them very much for their assistance to the foundation.

Meanwhile, if you are out there and you are interested in helping the foundation to continuously help needy children go to school, please feel free to contact and tell us about how you would like to assist.