MONROVIA – A local charity group operating in Liberia has donated a huge consignment of back to school packages to over 40 honor roll students and others attending the Garden of Life Elementary School in the township of West Point in Monrovia.
The group under the banner: Olive’s Project International (OPI) distributed book bags, copy books, pens, pencils and toys, among others to the beneficiaries.
The presentation was made at the school’s premises in the densely populated township over the week end.
Speaking during the presentation, OPI’s Chief Executive Officer, Madam Yonger Morris pointed out that the gesture was intended to buttress the efforts of struggling parents who are experiencing difficulties as a result of economic constraints.
She stated that most parents, especially marketers cannot afford to keep their kids in school and also purchase the schooling materials needed due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic.
“This is our first back to school in Liberia as an organization. We know children are coming back to school this year and we have come with some pre-packaged book bags. We call this a back to school plus because in this package, we have toys, tooth brush, tooth paste, snacks and others for the kids. Globally, we know that the Coronavirus has negatively impacted and we have come to help parents out”.
She said in the wake of huge economic constraints in Liberia, it is prudent that support be given to less fortunate students and others who are in need.
She maintained that the provision of adequate support to students, particularly those residing in slum communities, will encourage them to go to school and stay in the classrooms.
Madam Morris noted that though her organization seeks to impact the lives of many citizens in Liberia, “no one person can change anybody”, but collectively genuine and sustainable changes can be made to benefit a good number of people.
“We are hoping that this will put smile on their faces. I see this as an incentive to motivate them to be in school. Eventually, we will be able to increase the number for others to benefit”.
She further underscored the need for heads of institutions and other groups in Liberia to ensure that materials and others donated to less fortunate Liberian students and others reach the targeted beneficiaries.
When this is done, she pointed out that people and institutions desirous of extending helping hands will do so without fear or skepticism.
Madam Morris added that government cannot do all alone and as such, Liberians should rally around to identify with citizens who are faced with challenges.
“We have lot of challenges and one of them is integrity. It’s hard to get honest people in the work we do and we solicit funds from our partners. As Liberians, I am encouraging us to think how we can impact that one life”.
Scores of students in Margibi County and Todee in rural Montserrado, have also benefited from the distributed of back to school kits from the Olive Project International (OPI).
Authorities of the school expressed appreciation to Madam Morris for the initiative.
According to them, the donation was the first of its kind since the establishment of the school several years ago.
They want government and other humanitarian organizations operating in and out of Liberia to see reason to extend helping hands to struggling schools that are making efforts to keep their doors open in a bid to mold the minds of Liberia’s future leaders.