Monrovia – Twelve Liberian students are expected to depart the country to further their education in several top universities in the United States and Europe.
Report by Christopher C. Walker, [email protected]
According to the Executive Director of Smart Liberia, Marvin R. Trawally, the program to expand the knowledge of the next generation of Liberian leaders, will help improve the education sector following their return to the country.
Smart Liberia is an organization (social venture) that’s equipping promising young Liberians with the skills and opportunities to create social change and lead meaningful lives in their communities and beyond.
Speaking at the closing exercises of its 2017 class, Trawally said the educational sector of the country is challenged and needs leaders who are focused on bringing the necessary changes Liberians desire.
“We believe that Liberia’s future depends on a generation of young leaders, who are well educated and passionate.”
According to him, Liberia’s vices, including failed education, food insecurity, human trafficking, youth unemployment, drug abuse, extreme poverty, etc., are so vast that the nation can’t afford ordinary leadership.
The Smart Liberia Executive Director encouraged his students to be good leaders for the greater good of their people and not just themselves.
He believes that entrepreneurs create jobs to fuel the economy thereby solving some of the problems face by the society.
He further stated that SMART Liberia is all about creating the space for those young people, who have the courage to lead – to be developed into the leaders and entrepreneurs.
“Tonight we bid farewell to 12 young leaders, who have been with us for a year. For some, 12 young people might seem like a drop in the bucket for what’s required to change Liberia. Our conviction of why this is significant is rooted in Margaret Mead’s famous quote: ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.’ Too many examples around us on how the vision, courage and commitment of one individual has shaped the course of societies and cultures.”
For her part, the speaker of the class, Ms. Mary Appleton, said the program has added value to she and her colleagues.
She thanked Smart Liberia for given them the opportunity to acquire international education outside Liberia.
“I have always dreamed of going to college outside Liberia and with Smart Liberia, my dream has been made a reality,” Mary stated.
She called on other Liberians to follow the example of Smart to invest in the educational sector of the country.
Young Mary, who will be studying Economics, at Illinois College, wants Liberian youths to believe in whatsoever they want to do after high school and be determined to achieving it.
Those expected to leave the country are Santo Sumo, Computer Science, Ohio Wesleyan University; Patience Koening, Environmental Science, Wells College; Fatu Kaba, Biology and Chemistry, Manchester University; Wentoe T. Wentoe, Public Policy, Mt. Saint Vincent University; Emmanuel Chea, Aeronautics, Wells College; Musa Kamara, Economics, Gannon University; Theophilus Nelson Corporte, Communications, Lycomin College; Etta Brooks, Civil Engineering, Augustana College.
Others are Ruth Farkollie, Political Science and Law, Lycomin College; Juta Wowoe, Environmental Engineering, Illinois College; Rudolph Ballah Economics, Manchster University and Mary Appleton, Illinois College