In continuation of efforts to support rural public schools, a shipment of 10 cartoons of donated textbooks and instructional materials, which recently arrived from the United States, has been presented to the Tokpaipolu Public Elementary School in Tokpaipolu, Salala District, Bong County.
The consignment of textbooks, which includes 10 battery-powered portable Leap Track System, was presented to the school on June 10, 2016. The Leap Track System is intended to assist in accelerating student learning in various academic areas, such as Reading, Math, and Language Arts. With its audio, the Leap Track machine will be a critical support to the students and their teachers in proper reading, pronunciation and diction, among other innovations that would enhance the quality of education of the children.
The donation to Tokpaipolu Public School is made by Hon. Gabriel I.H. Williams, a Diplomat assigned at the Embassy of Liberia in the United States, and his wife, Neiko Irene Williams, in partnership with the Reid Temple Christian Academy, a prestigious private school in Glenn Dale, Maryland, U.S.A.
During a visit to Tokpaipolu last year following the death of her mother, Mrs. Williams, a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) practicing in the State of California, visited the school and clinic in the town and promised to assist in whatever way necessary to improve the education and health of the people. Mrs. Williams was born in Tokpaipolu.
The recent donation of textbooks is in honor of her father, Mr. William Foday, who was the first school teacher in Tokpaipolu in 1953, and in memory of her late mother,
Mrs. Kemah Foday, who was a certificated Traditional Midwife for over three decades.
Presenting the textbooks and instructional materials to the school, Mr. Foday, a prominent elder in Salala District, said he was delighted that the flame of education that he lit in the village continues to spread through the many young people who have been educated at Tokpaipolu Public School since the 1950s.
The shipment to Tokpaipolu is the second consignment of textbooks to a rural public schools in Liberia this year. The first shipment of 15 cartoons containing textbooks, instructional materials and an assortment of other items, including backpacks and toothbrushes for children were presented to Neegbah Public Elementary and Junior School in Neegbah, Rivercess County.
Hon. Williams, who is the Minister Counselor for Press and Public Affairs at the Embassy of Liberia, was born in Neebhah. However, he was sent to live away after tragedy struck his family due to the death of his mother from childbirth when he was less than ten years old.
The next consignment of textbooks, slated for shipment in a few months, will go to Quittizohn Public School, in Quittizohn Beach, Number Four District, Grand Bassa County. Although not accessible by vehicle, Quittozohn is a beautiful rural coastal area where Mr. Williams spent part of his early childhood and completed elementary school.
The consignment of textbooks to Quittizohn Public School will be donated in memory of Mr. and Mrs. A.A. Williams, foster parents of Mr. Williams, who were instrumental in opening a school in that part of Liberia.