MONROVIA – The Council of Patriots (COP) has launched a ‘Back To School’ Project in the country, with a call on the Government of Liberia (GOL) and other philanthropic organizations to invest and provide substantial supports to the education sector if Liberia is to be on par with other countries across the world in terms of economic and infrastructural growth and development.
The project was launched in the slum and congested Clara Town Community on the Bushrod Island, outside Monrovia over the week end.
It was launched with the distribution of educational materials, including book bags copy books, pencils, pens, sharpeners, among others to over 100 school going children residing in the community.
Speaking during the presentation, the National Youth Chairman of the COP, Mohammed S. Konneh, observed that Liberia’s future can only have a brighter future if investment in the educational sector is prioritized.
He emphasized that investment in the education of children and youths would help ensure that Liberia independently address some of the numerous challenges and difficulties faced by its citizens.
“The COP believes that when the society is educated, we will have a brighter future. You cannot have a society that will be independent when you do not invest in the kids or the next generation. Our children must be empowered educationally because, if your educational foundation is strong, you can make a better decision for yourself and your country”.
“For and on behalf of the COP Youth League, we appreciate the national leadership of the COP headed by Henry Costa for the generosity towards capacity building in our struggling society”.
Konneh further described the move made by the COP as timely in the wake of huge financial constraints parents and guardians are encountering in the nation.
He observed that nowadays in Liberia, most parents are only keen on finding daily breads for them and their respective family members, instead of engaging into extra spending on basic necessities to enhance the schooling of their children.
He disclosed that the project would help alleviate “some of the stress” parents and guardians go through prior to the commencement of the academic year.
“We have come as an organization to chip in by providing these items to the children and this is just the beginning. Take your education serious and we also want to encourage your parents to continue to strive to send you to school”.
Also speaking, Madam Qweato Bryant, National Treasurer of the COP, commended Mr. Costa and others who made contributions towards the launch of the project.
According to her, the project will help put smile on the faces of needy Liberian children residing in the various districts across Montserrado and other areas.
“Little is much when God is in it and the COP as an advocacy group and in our job line decided to help ourselves and others. We put together our resources to be able to help the struggling masses and so, we have come today to identify with the children of Clara Town”.
Madam Bryant, however, expressed the hope that other organizations and humanitarians will emanate the good example of the COP to be able to invest in the education of children and young people across the country.
“We also pray that parents will be able to get the needed financial support to be able to send their children to school and we wish you all the best. We want to say thumbs up to Henry Costa and the diaspora team for making this possible”.
Earlier on, the National Vice Chairman for Operations of the COP-Youth League, Michael Varney disclosed that the initiative was intended to amplify the ambition of the beneficiaries towards education.
He said in the wake of the challenging economic constraints and other difficulties confronting vast majority of struggling Liberian parents, the launch of the initiative signifies the COP’s willingness and commitment towards a better Liberia.