The Sarnor Charitable Foundation has donated a huge consignment of assorted items to students at the Liberian Schools for the Blind and Deaf in the Township of Virginia, outside Monrovia, with a call on the Government of Liberia and other philanthropic organizations to provide aid to needy Liberians as part of efforts to rebuild the nation.
By Obediah Johnson
The schools were founded to provide education and psycho-social counseling to visually impaired and deaf and dumb young Liberians.
The group presented a consignment of clothing, shoes, sneakers, education materials and toys, worth several hundred United States dollars to the students at their respective campuses in the Mango Town Community in district # 17 on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.
Speaking during the donation, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Founder of the foundation Mr. Vaikai Sarnor disclosed that the gesture was intended to show love and compassion to the students during these difficult times.
According to him, the move was also in fulfillment of religious obligations to always provide for those who are in need.
He said the items donated were made possible by him and several other partners residing abroad.
Mr. Sarnor noted that his foundation, which was established in 2017, remains committed to extending helping hands to needy Liberians and organizations in the country.
He observed that it is good to give, with no expectation of getting something in return in the future.
“We want to first say thanks to God for the blessings he has given us. We have been doing this since 2017 and we remain committed to doing more. We are not rich, but the little that we earn we want to take something from out of it to be a blessing to other people. On behalf of my donors and me, we want to say that we are proud of you and we are all Liberians.”
“There is a popular saying that it is not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country. We came from here with nothing; we came from grass and we move to another level by the grace of God. And so, we have come again to extend God’s blessings to you people and other institutions that are in need. Everybody here will at least take home something. I want to take this time to say thank you to our donors and other members of our team.”
Speaking further, Mr. Sarnor disclosed that the foundation was established in honor of his fallen mother to provide assistance to less fortunate and underprivileged citizens.
“For us, we don’t see your disabilities. Together, we are all one. We are here to celebrate and share the little we have with you so at least you can know that there are people who are thinking about you.”
For their part, the beneficiaries commended Mr. Sarnor and his partners for thinking about the less fortunate and under privileged Liberian students.
Receiving the donation, the Director of the Liberia School for the Deaf Agatha Karvonzeah, recalled that the latest donation to the institute is not the first of its kind from the foundation.
“We want to say to you we are grateful because this is not the first time for us to receive donation from this organization. We are not surprise of your good heart towards us. May God bless you and everyone who contributed towards putting smile on the faces of the children.”
According to her, the gesture will give hope and further inspire the beneficiaries that there are people are thinking about them regardless of their conditions.
Also speaking, the Director of the Liberian School for the Blind Jackson Suah used the occasion to call for adequate support to the institution.
“The Bible says when I was naked, you clothed me. So, this donation comes at the time we are in need of it. I want to extend my thanks and appreciation to you. Please, if you go back don’t forget the Liberian School for the Blind. These kids need your support.”
Mr. Suah pointed out that parents of students who have completed their studies at the school and got promoted to the secondary division do not have the hand to pay their fees at various high schools in the country.
As a result of this, he added, that many of them are out of school.
“Upon their completion of the 9th grade here at the Liberian School for the Blind, they will need scholarships for them to continue their education. My appeal to the CEO and all members of the Sarnor Foundation is to put smile on the faces of these kids by helping to provide them scholarships.”