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HLF School Reopens

Our school in Buchanan, Help Liberia Foundation Community School, has reopened for the 2015/2016 school year. The school reopened on September 21, 2015.

Cross-section of students in devotion in September

Cross-section of students in devotion in September

As you may recall, the school should have started classes on September 14, but it did not happen because of some circumstances beyond our control. For instance, the enrollment was too low. Besides, we did not have some the necessary resources to commence.

Grade-four kids in their class

Grade-four kids in their class

Although the enrollment is still low, it is much better than it was on September 14. At present, there are about forty-five (45) students in the school, but we are hopeful that additional students will register. Many parents are complaining that they don’t have money and, therefore, they are unable to register their kids. Frankly, there are many poor children who are still out of school because of this problem.

Kids sitting in the 5th grade class

Kids sitting in the 5th grade class

Because of the low enrollment, we reduced staff but, still, the greatest challenge we are facing and will face this year is how to pay the few teachers we have employed. The salary is about US$25 per person per month, and we have eight (8) staffers. This means, we need about US$200 (two hundred United States dollars) per month to be able to pay our teachers, and we are unable to realize this from the fees paid by parents, as they are very low.

A teacher standing in front of the students during devotion

A teacher standing in front of the students during devotion

In view of this, we will very highly appreciate any assistance from any individual or institution, as we wish to have a smooth academic year.

Some k-3 students in their class

Some k-3 students in their class

Pictorial of Some Classroom-related Activities at HLF School During the Past School Year

Pictorial of Some Classroom-related Activities at HLF School During the Past School Year

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Update on Annex Construction – Part 2

We wish to inform all of those who contributed toward the construction of the two-classroom annex that the project is nearing completion. Special thanks to Mike Nilsson and Marijke Silander who raised and sent the balance funds needed for the project’s completion.

Carpenters roofing the building

Carpenters roofing the building

This is what we have been able to do since our last update in March:

  1. We bought and laid the remaining blocks, including those above the leanto.
  2. We bought and laid the colomos at the windows.
  3. We bought planks and roofed the structure.
  4. We put carbolin on the planks to prevent them from being eaten by bugs.
  5. We bought zinc and zincked the annex
  6. etc.

The floor and the plastering are being done.

Annex being zincked

Annex being zincked

Click on any of the pictures below to see a larger version.

HLF School to Reopen this Month

We wish to inform all friends and well-wishers of Help Liberia Foundation Community School that the school will be reopening this month for the 2015/2016 academic year.

Cross-section of kids and staff on the first day of school

Children and staff on opening day in March 2015

As you may recall, the school year that started in March of this year abruptly ended in July as a result of a pronouncement from the government. The government termed it “condensed school year” because the ten-month school year was not exhausted.

Registration is ongoing at the school, and classes will start on Monday, September 14, if all goes well. The school year, which is beginning this month, will end in July of 2016.

As we start this new school year, we wish to thank all of you who helped the school and the kids during the condensed school year. We would also like to encourage you and others to stand with us as we strive to give the kids a better future.

HLF Closes for 2015 Academic Year

In keeping with the Liberian Government’s pronouncement that all schools close on July 31, 2015, our school officially closed on the announced date, although we had already ended academic activities before that date.

Parents receiving grade sheets from teachers

Parents receiving grade sheets from teachers

We promoted some of the students based on their averages, while others are told to repeat their respective classes. The promotion was based on an average of at least 75%.

The registration process for the 2015/2016 academic year begins this week and will end early September, as classes may be starting by the second week of September.

We wish to take this time to profoundly thank all of you our sponsors, donors, and friends for your support during the condensed academic year, which started in March and has just ended as a result of government’s impromptu pronouncement that all schools in the country should close on July 31. We were able to go through it because of your involvement. Thank you very much!

Kid reading in class in early June

Kid reading in class in early June

We also thank the staff, the students and the parents for their role in the running of the school during the period under review.

Special thanks to Lena Marner and Anders Marner, our hard-working international contact persons and dedicated fundraisers; to David Turner, a true friend and sponsor of the school and the kids; to Mary Smith, our innovative and caring partner and webpage administer; Mike Silander and Marijke Silander, the late Tauno Silander’s siblings who have raised the needed funds for the completion of the annex and have promised to continue to help the school and the kids.

As we plan to start a new school year in September, it is our prayer and hope that other good-will individuals and institutions will think about helping the school and the kids, as the school mainly cater to under-privileged kids.

Kids sitting in class before the close of school

Kids sitting in class before the close of school

Most importantly, we are grateful to the Almighty God for carrying us through the period, as it was not an easy time, especially when it came to getting money to pay our teachers. But we’ve made it through His mercy and grace.