MONROVIA – Mrs. Theresa Gabiro, Peace and Development Specialist in the Office of the United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in Liberia, has challenged students of the New Hope Academy (NHA) on Peace Island in Monrovia to remain focused and committed to achieving quality education.
Serving as a Guest Speaker at a souvenir program marking the 24th Graduation & Closing Exercises of the K-II Class of the NHA, the UN Official pointed out that the attainment of education by Liberian students will not only lead to the realization of their career dreams and aspirations but also the transformation of their lives for better.
According to Mrs. Gabiro who, over the years, served the UN Peacekeeping Missions in Mali and the Central African Republic (CAR), the graduation of the kids from K-II Class is a testimony that they had laid a solid foundation for their educational sojourn. Mrs. Gabiro said she was highly impressed by the kindergarten class.
The Guest Speaker appreciated New Hope Academy’s Founder and Teaching Staff for their dedication and commitment.
While applauding the kids for their demonstrated hard work and determination to climb the academic ladder, Mrs. Gabiro, whose role in Liberia focuses on Peace-building and Political Development, further encouraged the students to continue to work towards achieving their desired future careers which would enable them to contribute effectively to the development of their families, communities, country and the world.
Turning to parents of the graduates, including nine males and 10 females, she challenged them to remain resolute in providing the necessary support for the education of their children in spite of the economic difficulties they face.
She stressed that such support to the kids who are the future leaders will make them to achieve their academic and professional dreams. “From K-II, give these children the necessary support to complete primary, junior and senior high school and onwards to colleges and universities,” she urge them.
In her Valedictory Address, student Lois Senseih described their graduation as a ‘great day not only for the graduates but parents as well.” Ms. Senseih lauded their parents and the school administration for impacting knowledge into the kids that made them worthy of graduation from the K-II Class.
“Loving parents, thank you for your parental care, love and support that you have given us,” she asserted amidst cheers from the gathering. She called on her fellow graduates and students to avoid negative influences.
Speaking on the Theme: “Learn To Impact,” student Senseih underscored the need for people who learn to provide real and long-lasting positive change to society. “Learning is the step-by-step process to know how to do something efficiently. It is also a point where we apply our best thinking to the problems that society faces for better outcomes or results,” she declared. “You can be educated but if your education cannot positively impact the lives of others, then, you have not learned anything,” she told the gathering.
Making remarks at the program, Mr. Morris Wanakandu, Development Consultant of the Church of Jesus Chris of Latter- Day Saints urged the graduates to remain focused in their strive for education.
Mr. Wanakandu, at the same time, praised the parents and the Administration of the New Hope Academy for their efforts in molding the minds of Liberian children.
During the occasion, the Board of Directors, Administration, and Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) officially appointed and subsequently certificated the Keynote Speaker, Mrs. Theresa Gabiro, as Goodwill Ambassador of the New Hope Academy (NHA), which is the subsidiary education pilot project of the Better Future Foundation (BFF), in recognition of her outstanding achievements, contributions to humanity, and commitment to education.
Presenting the award, BFF Founder and President, Augustine Arkoi, said the honor and appointment of Mrs. Gabiro by NHA/BFF as its Goodwill Ambassador to the World, serves as a greenlight for her to promote the cause of development advocacy for the educational wellbeing of students of New Hope Academy, and the Youth and Children of Liberia.
Mr. Arkoi, on behalf of the school, praised Ambassador Gabori for her support to education, peace-building and development in Liberia as demonstrated by her good work in the country.
New Hope Academy first started in 1995, as a community re-creation center in a makeshift building, teaching only martial arts and life skills to about 40-community-based adolescent youth during the very difficult days of the Liberian civil war that spanned over a decade.
Girls’ education, retention in school, leadership, and issues of their sexual reproductive health is at the core of BFF’s programs and services provided at the New Hope Academy.
Currently, the school is witnessing an increment in girls’ enrolment over the boys in most of its classrooms. Recent statistics of the school for 2014/2015 school year revealed that out of a total population of 338, there were 179 girls to 159 boys.