Hello again! I’m excited to be writing a new batch of updates on Care Mission in Liberia and sharing some news! I hope everyone reading this is well. I so appreciate all of the continued support for Care Mission as they enter their sixth year of educating youth in Ganta! As always, donations can be made on our website and we have a new(ish) monthly giving option if you prefer to spread your support throughout the year.
The school wrapped up another busy year with 171 students instructed by 11 teachers and assisted by five support staff. Five teachers continued to participate in our Teacher Training Program, taking classes from local institutions to gain their next level of certifications. Graduates were celebrated last month and now everyone is on “summer” break before classes resume in September. As a side note, like lots of countries in the tropics, Liberia doesn’t have four seasons, so really this is more of a “mid-rainy season break”. The weather is a little cooler with the rain compared to dry season which spans October to May.
The Big News!
Our big news (which I am delayed in announcing) is that we have purchased an acre of land just outside Ganta City on which to build our very own school building! Though we have lovingly improved, expanded, and electrified our current building, the rental situation we are in has become somewhat uncertain. Since we cannot buy the current building or rent something similar on better terms, we decided to work towards a place of our own to ensure the continuation of our school.
The land we purchased comprises four lots on high ground covered in a mix of palm and forest trees. We anticipate that transforming this land into a new school will be a long-term project and plan to remain in our current building for the next four years as we work towards land preparation, design, fundraising, and construction. That being said, the first few stages are already underway! A large area has been cleared and planted with cassava and rice. This not only helps get the area ready for construction, but the harvest will be used for school meals during the year.
Local community members have been hired to help with land clearing and planting, as well as several teachers and students connected to Care Mission. The farm they are making- while typical for Liberia- looks pretty different from those in the US. And without any motorized equipment it is truly hard work! The brush is cleared by machete and everything is planted and weeded by hand.
Some of the next steps for the new land will be designing the first building and making bricks on-site. We are very excited about this new challenge and the freedom and stability it will bring to Care Mission. To help us in this new venture, make a donation here.
I’ll keep sharing news- and possibly more details on Liberian farming- as I learn them (-; Stay well!
Care Mission, Inc. 