Month: September 2022

The Kingdom of Hope School System during the course of the academic years held a successful career day on campus, exposing students to various career opportunities they could choose from after completion of the secondary education.

Career Day teaches students to know about various career choices and provide education on job opportunities.

Serving as Guest Speaker, the Manager of Rose Garden Plaza in Central Monrovia, Mr. Kenneth Yeo Awajil said, deciding a career path at a young age is better because after high school, students will know directly where they are heading in college.

Mr. Awajil said students must focus on careers that have job opportunities, instead of those with difficulty in finding job.

He then promised to give the school two bundles of zinc and 20 bags of cement for the completion of the school buildings.

The Monrovia College Industrial Training School has officially launched its press club on campus.

The launch held in March this year included fund raising event

to generate money to help support the club.

Other activities included cake rally and unveiling of press jackets for campus-based reporters.

Talk Show host, Julius Jeh of Okay FM served as guest speaker during the program, encouraging cub reporters to remain focus and steadfast if they are to become professionals.

Journalist Jeh, who donated 100 United States dollars to the initiative, also praised the press club members, but cautioned them to speak fluently and read well.

At the same time M.C. has broken grounds for the construction of a new school building situated at the intersection of Lynch and Benson Streets.

The groundbreaking ceremony that took place on May 3, 2022 was attended by the Presiding Bishop of the Africa Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, alumni, students and teachers of the school.

 The school administration says when completed, the institution will have a modern building with two science labs, 18 classrooms, 32 bathrooms, 2 cafeterias, 2 computer labs and a basketball court.

The bishop of the 14th Episcopal District of the AME church, Paul JM Karobee, welcomed the construction of a New Monrovia College.

Mr. Karobee said regardless of the challenges, he is happy that the longtime dream of the institution is becoming a reality.

He said God can do all things, adding that education is the only thing that stays with people forever.

Mr. Karobee noted that being a school that has been in existence for 100 year is not a child’s play, adding that the ongoing construction is an instruction from God.

Also speaking at the ground breaking ceremony, the Vice President for Administration, Rev. Odell Swen, quoting Biblical verses said, “Except the Lord builds the house, the builder builds in vain.”

Rev. Swen therefore, dedicated the new building in the hands of God.

A pro media development group, Youth media action has launched the 4th edition of the National Press Club Exhibition.

The National Press Club Exhibition is an annual news presentation challenge held every year where high school press clubs compete through news writing, gathering, and live presentation to commemorate the Day of the African Child.

First launched in June 2018, the program has helped to sharpen the media skills of cub reporters in high schools, showcase their talents and provide a platform where their stories can be heard.

Soltiamon Christian School system is the current triple title holder of the competition and will be hoping to retain the championship or be dethroned especially with the influx of new schools.

This year’s event will be celebrated under the theme, “Eliminating Harmful Practices Affecting Children: Progress on Policy & Practice since 2013,” bringing together over 200 people including students, parents, school administrators, international partners and national government from across Monrovia and its environs.

Speaking at the official launch of the program at the Liberia Broadcasting System Compound in Paynesville City, the Executive Director of Youth Media Action, Varmah Kamara said the goal of the program is that every young person uses the media to transform lives and foster media reform for vibrant democracy.

Mr. Kamara said for the second time the competition will be held in two categories namely Elementary and Senior High divisions.

He unveiled that as part of commitments to grass root media development to empower Press Clubs, the Winner of the Elementary category will be awarded a cash prize of L$25,000 Liberian dollars while the Senior High winner will be given L$50,000 Liberian dollars.

“While the aim and objective of this unique competition cannot be measured in finances, we believed that these amounts will help to upgrade press clubs at various high schools in Monrovia and its environs.

He noted that as enshrined in the competition’s rules the cash prizes won from this year’s National Press Club Exhibition will be used solely for training and equipping press club and its members.

The YMA Executive Director thanked USAID, Internews Liberia, the management of the Liberia Broadcasting system and Press Union of Liberia for the continued support while he called on international organization and businesses operating in Liberia to support this initiative as it helps to promote media reform and vibrant democracy!

 “We believe that the next generation of young journalists is paramount to creating powerful and meaningful change, providing the important means to ensure freedom of speech and vibrant democracy are justly upheld in their respective communities and working environments,” he emphasized.

“So the essence of this program is to elevate and highlight the work of these young journalists who are fearlessly inspiring others,” Kamara concluded.

At least fifty-nine (59) students of the Paynesville SDA High School have been baptized at the A La Lagoon Beach Resort in Congo Town.

The baptism took place in May after five days of services, prayers, and preaching on the theme, “Choose Ye This Day.”

Rev. Martinius Bernard of the Revelation SDA Church on the Japan Freeway encouraged the students to choose the forces of good over evil forces.

Rev. Bernard admonished them to make sound decisions in life, stating that now is the time to decide where they wish to spend eternity.

One of the newly baptized students, Princess Gibson, of 9A class expressed joy for becoming a new person in Jesus Christ.

Student Gibson said her decision to go thru baptism was made because she felt moved and convicted about the teachings and preaching during the five- day activities.

Meanwhile, some teachers and other support staff also got baptized as part of this year’s week of Spiritual Emphasis.

Strive Community Resource Center has launched a business start-up program intended to train young Liberians to become entrepreneurs.

According to Strive Coordinator, Angea Davis the program seeks to tackle the high rate of unemployment in the country by providing eight months training opportunity for emerging entrepreneurs. 

She said at the completion of the training participants with the best business ideas will received loans to start their own business venture.

Madam Davis also called on other Liberians with knowledge and skills in different vocational disciplines like tailoring, soap-making, pastry, computer Science et al to make use of training spaces available at Strive Community Resource Center to educate others.

Simultaneously, a computer trainer at Strive Obadiah Pannoh is also encouraging Liberian students and those seeking job opportunities to prioritize learning computer.

“In a world taking over by computer if students and job seekers want to succeed in their classrooms and offices they need to acquire basic computer skills.”

Obadiah who operates Liberia Vocational Resource Center at Strive, offering 4-month computer and other vocational education trainings, said his programs are opened for high school graduates and those seeking employment.

For her part, the administrative assistance at Strive Community Resource Center Bendu Ketteh said she was forced to enroll in  the computer program after she was denied her first job as a result of lacking computer knowledge.

FMG is a harmful practice that involves the removal or injury of external female genital organs for non-medical reasons.

While a moratorium has been placed on FGM, Liberia remains one of the three West African Countries that do not have a law criminalizing FGM despite having signed and ratified regional and international human rights instruments condemning the practice as human rights violation, including the Maputo Protocol.

Vice President Taylor said despite the challenges, Liberia remains committed to the fight against FGM and protection of girls’ rights.

“I’m still hopeful that a bill will be passed to stop FGM soon in Liberia,” Vice president Taylor asserted.

She was speaking in an exclusive interview with child broadcasters at ECOWAS Radio in celebration of the International Day of the African Child organized by Bridge Liberia in partnership with Youth Media Action, ECOWAS Radio and UNICEF.

Forty Press Club cub reporters took charge of Liberia’s major talk shows on ECOWAS Radio, Okay FM and Prime FM to discuss harmful practices affecting them in their schools and communities

Others who were interviewed include Laila Omar Gad, UNICEF Country Resident Representative, and Mr. Nathaniel B. Walker, Political Advisor/Liason Officer Early Warning for the ECOWAS Resident Representative Office.

This year’s celebration was held under the theme: “Eliminating Harmful Practices Affecting Children: Progress on Policy & Practice since 2013.”

The Communication Officer of Universal Outreach Foundation, a non-profit has admonished high school students wanting to improve their writing and reading skills to take advantage of Strive Press Club.

Madam Landis Wyatt in an exclusive interview with students of Strive Press Club said the after school program supported by Universal Outreach Foundation provides free journalism training and media exposure for students residing in Paynesville City and its environs.

She told Strive Press Club reporters that Journalism doesn’t only develop written and spoken communication but also helps students express themselves and become critical thinkers.

Meanwhile Universal Outreach Foundation country director, Cecil Wilson in a separate news conference reassured his institution commitment to empower Liberian business to deliver goods and services across the country.

 Mr. Cecil Wilson said since 2021  his    foundation has provided business development training and strategies to enable Liberians living in urban communities employ themselves.

According to Mr. Wilson his organization is also working with farmers in rural communities by providing support needed to expand their businesses.

He said his team has established partnership with communities, NGOs and other relevant institution to achieve the objectives of the different business development and empowerment programs.

The Nathan F. Reeves, Sr. Charity Memorial High School has been crowned as champions for the 2021 Inter-school Sports Association (ISSA) Zone 3 High School Competition.

The award night which was witnessed by high profile sports dignitaries and politicians, was held at the decorated Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex practice pitch in February.

Montserrado County District#6 Representative, Samuel Enders, who spoke after the competition, praised participating schools for going into the t competition to showcase their talents.

Representative Enders, who described the young Liberian players as shining stars, encouraged them to remain focus as they strive to make a difference for the country.

Former student Alphanso Cole won the “Most Valuable Player Award” while Coach Terry Sheriff won the “Best Coach Award”, respectively.

Both award winners are members of the Nathan F. Reeves Sr. Charity Memorial High School in ELWA-Rehab.

Meanwhile, new disciplinary measure has been introduced by the administration of Nathan F. Reeves, Sr. Charity Memorial High School for late comers in the school.

The measure seeks to disallow students coming late being sent home.

Speaking to hundreds of students during the school’s regular devotion, the Vice Principal of the institution, Ishmael Collage, disclosed that any student coming late to school will no longer be sent home.

He said the student will have to go through new disciplinary measures of either hauling water or cutting grass before being allowed in class for the rest of the academic period.

Mr. Collage said it is incumbent upon every student to be on campus by 7: 45 a.m. so that he or she can participate in devotion.

He urged students to cultivate the passion for waking up early to come to school if they must be punctual in achieving their future goal.

At the same time, Principal of the school has called on students to dressing decently while in school.

Mr. Jerry F. Saah said as students, proper dressing is required, adding that his administration will not relent in taking actions against indecent dress code on campus.

Mr. Saah noted that the school has a prescribed dress code that every student must follow to avoid coming in conflict with the school’s handbook.

At the same time, the Vice Principal for Instruction, Ishmael Collage, warned students against bringing cell phones and electronic gadgets that serve as hindrance to lesson presentation and classroom management.

VPI Collage stressed that if any electronic device is caught from students, it will be returned after ninety (90) days. 

Besides, students of Nathan F. Reeves Memorial School are to benefit a modern auditorium.

The auditorium is expected to have a sitting capacity of more than five hundred (500) persons, thereby making it the biggest private and campus based High School auditorium in Montserrado County.

According to engineers, the auditorium if completed, will contain offices, kitchen, DJ booths and five bathrooms.

Addressing Inside Charity Update recently, Program Chair Singbeh Saysay, praised the project and described it as a milestone in the history of Charity.

Saysay told the campus-based reporters that his office is developing series of programs that will witness massive use of the auditorium.

He named Chapel Service, Charity Gets Talents, Debate and Quizzing among others as some of the programs to be reintroduced.

He urged students to become prepared for various programs that will enable them showcase their talents.

The School of Prime Systems (SPS) this year proven supremacy in a 2-day basketball championship when its basketball squad defeated William Booth High School 21-14 points in an exciting basketball fixture.

United Methodist High School also suffered defeat at the hands of SPS Basketball squad 29-12 points and Effort Baptist School was also narrowly crushed 39-38 points to wrap up the two days basketball fiesta at the Effort Baptist Basketball Gymnasium in Paynesville.

The Principal of the School of Prime Systems, Debbie Scott Caranda welcomes the victories of her school, which she describes as a warning for other schools wanting to challenge SPS.

Meantime, SPS celebrated its 44th Gala Anniversary early this year in a grand style.

January each year is usually celebrated as SPS gala month that allow students and teachers to participate in various extra-curricular activities on campus.

This year’s program focused on Game Day where students played several board and outdoor games for grades. During the exercises, students have fun and games with various classes on campus   compete for the championship.

The celebration also included Carnival Day, Installation Program, Spelling Bee, Science Trivia, History Challenge and Math Master Skills, amongst others.

The Principal Debbie Scott Caranda hailed the students for the level of discipline exhibited during the gala month celebration.

An ARTS and Craft instructor at Effort Baptist School in Paynesville has encouraged students to develop interest in arts.

Mr. Geneka Gibson said arts and crafts help students to be more creative and studious.

He said if students are empowered through arts and crafts, they will positively contribute to the development of their homes and society.

The Effort Baptist Arts and Craft instructor was spoke when the school added arts and crafts to the curriculum for 4th, 5th and 6th graders.

At the same time students of the Effort Baptist School have expressed joy over their recent visit to the National Museum on Broad Street in Monrovia.

Visiting the important national heritage for the first time, the students said it was a great moment to see how their forefathers lived.

Kissi money used by our forefathers, the Mafua, a spiritual stone that takes the shape of a crocodile from Grand Cape Mount County and the dining table of late President Joseph Jenkins Roberts, Liberia’s first President, among others were sight experience for the students.

Also 9th graders toured Wulki’s Farm in Cayresburg, Montserrado County.

Held on the theme: “Captivating Learning in the Field”, the trip provided an opportunity for students to see and experience what they have learned in the classroom.