Monrovia – The Ministry of Education (MOE) in partnership with the Liberia Telecommunication Corporation (LIBTELCO) and Marcia Gallant have begun a week long capacity building training for several Liberian students in Information Technology, cosmetology and basic leadership skills.
Report by Gerald C. [email protected]
The Deputy Managing Director of LIBTELCO, Checago Bright Sawo, said the initiative was part of the MOE’s universal asset program aimed at ensuring that all public schools have access to Information Technology.
“This is a universal access program, aims at spreading the vision of the government in ensuring that all public schools have access to technology,” said Sawo.
“We have opened about two computer labs in the south eastern region, specifically at the Multilateral High Schools in Sinoe County and Barclayville; and also Tubman High which, of course, they are making use of the lab there.”
He said the initiative is also part of LIBTELCO Computer Lab for the Sciences in School (CLASS) program for public schools while the Imagine- Lib project is for higher institutions of learning, which was launched two years ago by former LIBTELCO boss, Sebastian Muah.
He noted that under these programs, LIBTELCO is partnering with the Ministry of Education to provide computer labs for several public schools and universities across the country.
He said his entity will be dedicating two projects in the New Georgia and Barnesville Estates very soon.
Speaking to FrontPage Africa at the William V. S. Tubman High School in Monrovia on Thursday, the head of the Marcia Gallant Mission Trip 2017, Marcia Gallant, said that the training is geared towards educating, empowering and equipping less fortunate young Liberians to improve their lives and that of their communities.
“One of my request was to reach out to students or individuals who have not had the opportunity or not fortunate like others living here. So those are the people that I was targeting, and I am happy that I did that,” she said.
Marcia Gallant is an accomplished American hair stylist with over two decades of experience.
She dreams of transforming the lives of aspiring cosmetologists by providing an educational system using upgraded tools and cutting edge techniques, thus creating an optimal environment of eagerness to learn and professionalism, beginning in Liberia and then spreading throughout the world.
She added that her current trip to Liberia came as a result of her first visit made in 2008 when she discovered that there was a need to help the needy children, mostly orphans. who benefited from assorted educational equipment including book bags filled with school materials.
She noted that the team this year comprises of individuals from diverse background but with the sole aim of providing knowledge to ordinary people.
She said the training is yielding results as participants are being taught new skills and techniques in various disciplines, especially the cosmetology department.
“I think we have already impacted a lot of these students or individuals. This is the first time that they have done the coloring techniques. I share that with them and they were so overwhelmed,” she added.
“Some of them have never really held a scissor and didn’t know the different angles, and how to achieve a particular look that I am looking for; or a particular cut.
Knowing that I could be the first one to give them those hands on training, and see how excited they are and to me that was very strange because I have never thought something like this could ever exist,” Gallant intoned.
She however noted that one week was not enough and stressed the need to continue.
The beneficiaries thanked Marcia Gallant and the Government for the knowledge and promised to maximize its use.
“The training is good. We are learning new things in IT, Cosmetology and Leadership. For me, the 21 laws of leadership, the Laws of Influence and Empowerment are the ones that I love the more,” said Jestina Blackie, a student of the University of Liberia.
Isaacs S. Dehbleh of Cosmetology Department added: “I learned a lot about cutting, coloring and shampooing, something that I have not learned since I started practicing the profession 10 years ago. I will market these skills to earn living. This knowledge is so valuable that I will market it to earn my living and impact others.”