Monrovia – The Precious Pearl Ireland Foundation on April 30th commemorates its 3rd anniversary, honoring the life and legacy of Precious Pearl Ireland while renewing its commitment to protecting and empowering young people across Liberia.
The foundation was established on April 30, 2024 one year after the burial of 16-year-old Precious Pearl Ireland, who tragically lost her life to gun violence on April 13, 2021, at Cyber-Ed Christian School. Born on December 2, 2006, Precious’s life was cut short in a place meant to nurture growth, learning, and opportunity. Her death sparked a call to action that has since grown into a movement for safer campuses and stronger communities.
“Turning grief into guidance” remains the driving force behind the foundation, according to a statement released today by Precious’s mother and founder. “The Precious Pearl Ireland Foundation was born from loss but exists to promote safety through awareness, advocacy, and empowerment. Her absence is felt every single day, but her story must become a message and that message must lead to action.”
The foundation was created in response to what it describes as an ongoing crisis affecting young people. Rising violence and drug abuse continue to threaten the safety and future of children and adolescents, underscoring the urgent need for proactive solutions.
“Safety isn’t just about security guards and metal detectors,” the statement emphasized. “Real safety starts with guidance, counseling, and positive peer influence.”
Over the past three years, the Precious Pearl Ireland Foundation has implemented several community-focused initiatives aimed at prevention, support, and empowerment, including:
- The Knight Reapers Basketball Academy, providing mentorship and positive engagement for youth
- Guidance and psychosocial counseling programs, alongside child protection advocacy, awareness, and training for educators, community leaders, pastors, and parents
- Vacation life skills and peer counseling training programs for adolescents
- Empowerment programs for single mothers
The foundation stresses that prevention must begin beyond school grounds—in homes and communities where young people feel supported, valued, and guided. By creating safe spaces and offering practical tools for growth, the organization seeks to address root causes rather than simply reacting to tragedy.
As part of its anniversary message, the foundation is calling on all sectors of society to take collective responsibility:
- School leaders are encouraged to partner with grassroots organizations to integrate safety and guidance into everyday learning environments
- Parents are urged to involve their children in programs that build skills, discipline, and strong values
- Young people are inspired to pursue positive paths, support one another, and actively intervene when peers are at risk
“We honor her not with silence, but with action,” the statement concluded. “We must make campuses safe by building guidance into daily life not just reacting after tragedy. This is how we prevent the next loss. This is how we keep our children alive.” Rita-Rose Ireland, Founder and CEO of the foundation.
On April 13, 2021, 16-year-old Precious Pearl Ireland tragically lost her life in a shooting incident at Cyber-Ed Christian School in Monrovia, Liberia. Born on December 2, 2006, Precious was a student in a space meant for learning, safety, and personal growth.
The incident, which occurred on her school campus, sent shockwaves through her community and highlighted growing concerns about violence in places traditionally considered safe for young people. Her death underscored the urgent need for stronger preventive measures, youth engagement, and community-based interventions to address violence and related social challenges affecting adolescents. Precious was laid to rest on April 30, 2021, a date that would later become symbolic for remembrance and action.
In response to this loss, the Precious Pearl Ireland Foundation was established on April 30, 2024, one year after her burial. Founded by her mother, the organization seeks to transform grief into purposeful action by promoting safety through awareness, advocacy, and empowerment.
The foundation focuses on youth development initiatives, including mentorship through sports, psychosocial counseling, life skills training, and support for vulnerable families. Its mission is to address the root causes of violence by fostering guidance, positive peer influence, and stronger community support systems for young people.
As the Precious Pearl Ireland Foundation marks this milestone, it stands as both a memorial and a mission transforming loss into lasting impact and working to ensure that no more young lives are lost to preventable violence.
