The Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa (GPFA) recently made a generous contribution to the Dolokelen-Barror Elementary and Junior High-Bridge School in Bong County. The foundation, led by Madam Leymah Roberta Gbowee, donated furniture to the school and covered the registration fees for 194 students, totaling L$194,000.
This donation, made in Melekie Town on Thursday, May 15, provides a more comfortable and supportive learning environment for the students. Ms. Melvina O. Bright, the Administrative Director of GPFA, expressed the foundation’s commitment to improving education and community growth in Liberia.
Madam Bright emphasized that after observing the students’ seating conditions, “We decided to not only cover the general registration Fees but also to create and ensure a comfortable and supportive learning environment as well.”
“So, we are here on behalf of the 2011 Nobel Peace Laureate, Madam Leymah R. Gbowee, and the Board of GPFA to donate these 25 armchairs and 40 benches and tables to Dolokelen Barror Elementary & Junior-Bridge School,” Madam Bright added.
The donation of school furniture, including chairs and benches, aims to enhance the learning conditions for both students and teachers.
The GPFA, founded by 2011 Nobel Peace Laureate, Madam Leymah Roberta Gbowee, operates under Liberian laws and focuses on educational initiatives through its Education for Peace and Development (EPAD) program.
Ms. Bright disclosed that one of GPFA’s Core Programmatic/ priority investment areas is the Education for Peace and Development (EPAD), adding that the program has impacted the lives of thousands of Liberian women and youth by providing educational and leadership opportunities, and what we are witnessing here, too, is surely not an exception.
She said one of the projects under the EPAD Program is Partnership Schools & Institutes (PSI), where GPFA partners with local educational organizations and institutions to work together to promote the greater good of Liberia by providing discretionary grants.
Edward Massaquoi, the Principal of the Dolokelen-Barror School, highlighted the challenges faced by students due to inadequate seating. He praised the GPFA for their donation and support in paying the registration fees for students.
“We were often asking our students to provide planks or blocks for seating, and this was not conducive for us,” he said. “This is not the kind of conditions our children are supposed to be learning in.”
He lauded the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa (GPFA) for the donation and the payment of students’ registration fees at the institution.
He noted that the donation has brought total relief to them as Administration of the Dolokelen-Barror school in the County.
The Gbarnga City Mayor, Gallah Varpilah, and the Parent Teacher Association Chairman, Cooper K. Flomo, expressed gratitude for the donation, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts in enhancing the educational system in Liberia.
They added that the donation will enhance the seating capacity of the students at the institution.
The duo, at the same time, admonished the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa leadership to extend such a unique donation to other schools in the County.
Varpilah and Flomo revealed that improvements of the educational system of Liberia cannot be left with the government alone, adding that it’s time every well-meaning individual contributes to the development of the Country.
