Hello Readers! Libby here, writing to report on my recent visit to Care Mission in Liberia. Last month, Matt and I were finally able see the school and meet the students, staff, and parents we have been hearing about since 2018. We also got the see the fruits of your donations! We met the caregivers and students benefiting from free or reduced tuition, dropped off the first batch of computers and projectors for the technology program, and (of course) played on the playground! On our first day, the school gave a great welcome with a program of songs, speeches, and the gift of traditional country cloth.
We sat down with parents and teachers who shared honest feedback on what they love about Care Mission (high quality teaching was the most common remark) and what they would like to see (a computer lab, textbooks, a well on campus, and higher salaries). We expressed our appreciation for their hard work, and promised to help with as many of their ideas as we can. I learned that many parents are sending their children to Care Mission from distant neighborhoods, having carefully selected our school from the large number of private schools in town. According to these parents, they made this choice because “the teachers at this school can really teach!”
The second day of our visit began with some time in the classroom where we heard recitations and songs from the nursery classes, then learned about gravity and friction in the third grade class. The teachers were great and the students were attentive and interactive, but the lack of books or other visual aids was a stark difference to schools in the US. We spent the afternoon attempting to partially remedy this problem with a quick training on the new laptops and projectors. Setting up in a spare room, we met teachers in pairs to give them some instruction. The teachers were all eager to learn and full of ideas for how to incorporate these tools into their lessons.
That night we stayed up late at Director Sampson Gaye’s house, going through reports and crunching the numbers to see how the various requests from parents and staff could be met. The electric company was uncooperative that night, forcing us to do most of this work by cell phone light.
The third and final day of our visit, we came to campus with a few new soccer balls, copybooks, and a current stabilizer. While all the gifts were appreciated, there was a clear favorite.
We are back home now, and most of the red dust has been washed off our shoes and bags. We are eating fresh vegetables again, but dreaming of GB and pepper soup, and eagerly anticipating an occasion to wear our new clothes. And of course, we are sorely missing all of our Liberian friends! I am so grateful that I had the chance to return to Ganta after 8 years away, and it was inspiring and energizing to see Sampson and everyone at Care Mission in action! The work they are doing has real effect on the lives of students and staff and their prospects for the future.
Since our return, the work has been continuing. Additional computers and projectors have been purchased and we are hoping to hire a full-time IT person. We have updated the Care Mission USA budget to reflect the gaps that most need to be filled and will be giving more money to support the food program and salaries. And there are many, many more ideas for the future!
Care Mission, Inc. 