Monthly Archives: July 2014

Urgent Fundraising Appeal for New Annex

The school needs to raise around US$ 1,500. Can you help?


As you may already be aware, the school, having operated at the kindergarten and primary levels since its establishment in 2005, has decided to start junior high (middle school) classes this year. In other words, it will add Grade Seven – the first class of the junior high division – this September.
A cross-section of the kids and the staff on the first day of school

Children and staff outside the school

However, to do this, the school needs to build a one-classroom annex to accommodate the newly created grade level. This annex has to be built before September 1, but the school does not have the money to do this. The total cost of the annex project is around US$ 1,500.

We are therefore sending out this S-O-S appeal to all of our friends, sponsors and partners out there to please help us raise this amount. The amount, when raised, will go towards the following:

Item                                                              Amount (in US$)

15 bags of cement @ $10.00   ——————————-   150
1 small load of sand @ $75   ———————————–   75
3 bundles of zinc @ $135   ———————————–   405
20 round poles @ $1.10   ————————————–   22
20 pieces of 2-by-4-by-14 planks @ $3.25   ———–   65
15 pieces of 1-by-3-by-14 planks @ $3   —————-   45
15 pieces of 2-by-2-by-14 planks @ $1.65   ———–   25
25 packs of wire nails @ $0.50   ————————–   12.5
3 packs of zinc nails@ $13   ———————————   39
30 pieces of mats @ $3   ————————————–   90
15 chairs @ $15   ————————————————   225
Transportation   ————————————————–   50
Workmanship   ————————————————-   250

TOTAL REQUIRED   ——————————-   1453.50

Please help us raise this amount before the 10th of August, as we wish to start and complete the construction before classes can begin on September 1.

You may send your donation using the school’s PayPal account that is controlled by Lena and Anders in Sweden.

Visiting Help Liberia Foundation Community School in Buchanan Fills My Heart with Joy by Lena Marner

On April 9 this year, we – my husband Anders (his Bassa name is “Ah Bah,” meaning “our father”) and I (my Bassa name is “Ah Dey,” meaning “our mother” in Bassa) – had the opportunity to visit the school for the third time in one year. As always, when visiting the school, we felt very welcome. The children, staff and parent association greeted us with songs.

Doris Hills, Rita’s mother, making statement during the program (Photo by Lena)

Doris Hills, Rita’s mother, making statement during the program (Photo by Lena)

After the welcome songs and other activities, some parents, including Madam Doris Hills and Madam Mary Tugbeh, also gave speeches.  Doris is the mother of student Rita, a girl we are sponsoring in the school, while Mary is the grandmother of Augustine, a little boy we are also sponsoring in the school. What a moment of joy and happiness!

Along with us was a group of Swedish people whom we had brought with us to visit the school during the trip. Some of them had lived in Liberia long time ago and others were visiting Liberia for the first time ever.

Mary Tugbeh, Augustine’s grandmother, speaking at the program (photo by Lena)

Mary Tugbeh, Augustine’s grandmother, speaking at the program (photo by Lena)

At the end of the engagement with the children, the group accompanying us had the opportunity of sitting in a classroom to learn the spelling and pronunciations of their new Bassa names. This was a very special gift from the school to us Swedes, for giving something that means something is highly appreciated, and it is the most valuable of all gifts. I certainly know they were very happy about the visit to the school.

One of the most positive things with the school is seeing so many familiar faces. It is great to know that parents are involved in the school. Education and knowledge is one of the key things for a good life; another key thing for a good life is health.

Student Augustine (sponsored by us) saying a recitation at the program (Photo by Lena)

Student Augustine (sponsored by us) saying a recitation at the program (Photo by Lena)

It is amazing to see that even the small children understand the importance of education.  I observed on their part a huge willingness to learn, and this is a very, very good sign. There is a need for them to be encouraged and helped in whatever way possible.

And I understand the parents struggle to keep their children in school. It is not easy in a country that is in the process of rebuilding itself after years of civil wars when so much was destroyed.

The Swedish guests being taught their Bassa names (Photo by Lena)

The Swedish guests being taught their Bassa names (Photo by Lena)

Meeting the children, staff and parents at HLF School fills my heart with joy, and I am confident that these smart and kind children, who are the future of Liberia, will contribute to sustainable growth in Liberia, one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

We look forward to meeting them next time.  Until then, we say to them, “Study hard; have fun and take care.”

Staff member Andrew Garsuah teaching the guests their Bassa names (Photo by Lena)

Staff member Andrew Garsuah teaching the guests their Bassa names (Photo by Lena)

HLF School Holds Graduation and Closing Program

Our school had its ninth graduation program, which coincided with its formal closing of the 2013/2014 academic year, on Sunday, June 29.

A cross-section of the graduates posing for after the program

A cross-section of the graduates posing for after the program

The program brought together parents, staff, well-wishers and students, including the graduates. Seventeen students graduated from the kindergarten division, while only one person graduated from the elementary division.

Some of the graduates – the bigger boy is the lone graduate from the Sixth Grade

Some of the graduates – the bigger boy is the lone graduate from the Sixth Grade

The program was held at in the edifice of the New Life Jubilee Christian Fellowship Center, which is about one hundred yards from the school. Although there was a heavy down pour, parents, staff and students still made it to the program.

The Principal, Mr. Varney Gibson, issuing a certificate to one of the graduates

The Principal, Mr. Varney Gibson, issuing a certificate to one of the graduates

The keynote speaker at the program was Mr. Samuel Nimely, former Principal of Help Liberia Foundation Community School and pastor of the New Life Jubilee Christian Fellowship Center. Mr. Nimely spoke on the topic: “The Importance of Quality Primary Education.”

At the end of his speech, Mr. Nimely gave two scholarships to two of our students – the student with the highest yearly average and the student with the second highest yearly average.

Attendees at the program

Attendees at the program

During the program, the Director of the school, Mr. Paul Yeenie Harry, announced to the audience that the school will begin operating its junior high level (middle school) this year, that is, when the new school year starts in September. This requires that we construct an annex to accommodate the new class. We need the support of everyone in this direction. More information will be provided later.

Attendees standing outside after the program

Attendees standing outside after the program

As stated above, the new academic year will start in September; meanwhile, the registration and admission processes leading to the re-opening of school in September will begin on Monday, July 14.

It is also worth mentioning that most of the sponsored students have written letters to their sponsors. We will send these letters, along with some photos, to their sponsors.

Some gleeful parents in action outside the hall

Some gleeful parents in action outside the hall

We extend our sincere thanks to all those who helped us to have a successful school year, especially our international partners. We are all partners in progress, and we greatly appreciate this interaction.