LIBERIA - Since 2012
LIBERIA
LIBERIA
Since our inception in 2012, we’ve:
Funded the construction of a K-12 school, clinic and several small homes for teacher’s residences. We also pay the tuition for a significant number of students who would not be able to attend without our assistance. As of 2024, we’ve graduated over 430 students. In Gorlu we also built a school and clinic in 2022, and are continuing to fund a school that serves 95 students from grade K through 6. We have provided sewing machines and lessons for women in Liberia to learn a skill to support their families. Over a dozen women in Liberia are now supporting their families through sewing.
STUDENT OF THE MONTH
STUDENT OF THE MONTH
Saviour lives with her parents in Bopolu. Her mother is a petty trader and her father runs an auto-part shop. She is in Kindergarten II and wants to be a Medical Doctor to help sick people in her community. She is always beaming with smiles. At school, Saviour has lots of friends and knows how to get along.
Her parents are joyful and appreciate our methods of instruction with focus on quality using trained teachers who fit in the overall goals of the school.
AT A GLANCE
POPULATION
5 million
AREA
38,250 sq mi
0.04 physicians/1000 people
Physician Density
HOSPITAL BED DENSITY
0.08 beds/1000 people
The trip began to the community of Gorlu, which is in Lofa County. The route was from Monrovia to Gbana to Gorlu, and then back the same way. Joining the crew was Shaffa, his son, Seward Jr., and a mechanic in case of any breakdowns along the journey.
ROAD TO LIBERIA - 8/7/23
Of course, the vehicle ended up breaking down three times. Still, the road leading to Gorlu is in better shape than most rural roads in Liberia, and is being repaired and paved. Around 9:30 AM, the crew stopped in Gbarnga for gas and water bottles. This is the last established city on the trek to Gorlu. The city had numerous pop up shops that overflowed into the road, which made for some difficult driving. On the way, the team also passed by numerous villages which each consisted of 5-10 homes made of clay and tin sheets. These homes seemed to have one room, likely containing no furniture. Our crew saw men, women, and children walking down the road carrying laundry to wash in the rivers, along with other supplies. These villages and homes do not have the luxury of electricity, and if they do have the luxury of water, they must pump the community well to draw it out.
. At one point, the crew stopped in a small village to find a welder, in order to weld the muffler to the bottom of the car. This cost $5 USD and took roughly 45 minutes to complete. Shaffa said it could have been done cheaper, since welders will accept any amount of cash they are given since they are simply trying their hardest to survive.
Our Teachers are certified to
RECOGNIZE
the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structure of the disciplines, and create learning experiences that make these aspects of the subject matter meaningful for learners.
DEMONSTRATE
Demonstrate how children/learners with broad range of ability learn and provide instruction that supports their spiritual, intellectual, social, and personal development.
develop
and use a variety of instructional strategies, including the use of technology to encourage learner's development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills (especially senior high students).
RECOGNIZE
the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structure of the disciplines, and create learning experiences that make these aspects of the subject matter meaningful for learners.
Second Season of the Eric Scott Little League in photos: United Pentecostal School receives jerseys
United Pentecostal School girls team
United Pentecostal School boys team
Selma Balla Public School
NEWSLETTER HIGHLIGHTS
June 2015
The first newsletter: “These children are beginning to feel your love , support and prayers as they are experiencing the goodness of God working through the United Methodist Church. This cause of coming back to help change the lives of our people means so much to me personally and I hope your efforts of fundraising will break such barrels as illiteracy, poverty, and disease. It is only through emancipating my people from the mental slavery of uncertainty that with God, all things are possible will I be at peace. We are on the right track….Pst. Seward”
FUMC news, national exams, mission station and student interviews. “I love English and want to be a professional nurse. On completion of grade nine, I would love to continue my education at a United Methodist School if possible but the cost of relocating to Monrovia is but a dream I can not imagine.”
May 2016
July-August 2018
The 2018 graduation, details of an enrichment program, and pictures of the 2nd little league coming to a close. “When boys and girls have gone through the rainy days and hot weather, some restless evening doing assignments or studying on empty stomach to meet the threshold of promotion, then come the day to be credited.”
Honors Student
Honors Student
Esther of Grade 11 stands tall among the girls on campus. She is 19 years old, hails from Gbarpolu County, and resides with her mother. On completion of high school, she wants to go to college with Biology as her major and Chemistry as her minor. These will propel her for a career in the field of medicine.
Fulfilling a promise
A blog excerpt from 2/23/18
Fulfilling a promise is a good way to gain trust from the little ones. A promise was made to a tenth grader who obtained the highest average in the senior high division, that a new Biology book was going to be given to him.
When he received the book he was asked what the driving force behind his achievement in a community where most of his peers seem reluctant to compete coupled with life's challengers. He said, "I am focused during lectures, I copy my notes correctly and I put more time to studying. I hope to have training in Biology and Chemistry in college in preparation for Medical School where I want to study General Medicine and become a Medical Doctor."
He wants to be a doctor because of the present tropical challenges with which the population is faced. His being a doctor will help reduce health risks for his people. He believes giving back to his people this way will make the world a better place.
gRADUATION - BLOG ENTRY
When boys and girls have gone through the rainy days and hot weather, some restless evenings doing assignments or studying on an empty stomach to meet the threshold for promotion, the day finally comes to be credited. these students are processed by teachers from the Nursery through Kindergarten Two. along the way, this class of 8 has had a rewarding experience which was celebrated at their graduation on July 15, 2018 at the Bopolu First United Methodist Church with staff, students, parents and guardians as well as well wishers. During the 2018 program, the Valedictorian, Student Momo Barwor, addressed the audience on his topic - CORRUPTION:
He began by thanking God for his parents, all teachers and staffs at Eric Scott. He defined corruption as ‘’the use of something for different purpose other then what is was meant without the approval. In government, the budget always reflect projects that most times can not be seen but the money for such will be used out. In the market, market women and men will buy goods for very little money but sale it for ten times more to get over profit. This is corruption. And to our mothers, our fathers will give you money for the family food but you will take out some to buy false hair. That is corruption. As for the school, some teachers ask students for money to change their grades for tests failed. This is corruption that destroys the student, community, and the nation. So to have a better Liberia, let us all do the right things for our future and that of our children.’’ Earlier, Pastor Seward had preached the theme ‘’ The Purpose shapes the process’’ with Mark 6: 24-25
This speech was well received by everyone, amongst whom were Zinnah Norman, Lord Mayor of Bopolu City, Hon. Augustine Akoi, Gbarpolu County Development Superintendent, and Mr. Samson O. Cisco, Bopolu District Representative Chief of Office Staff. The guest speaker, Mr. Cisco, cautioned students to take advantage of every opportunity to acquire knowledge. Education is the key to progress, success and realization of dreams. The ceremony was made even more moving by both of these speakers. Shown are a mix of several graduation ceremonies.
Liberia
“Changing Our Tomorrows is a results-driven, volunteer-run nonprofit focusing on providing opportunities for those in need on an International as well as a local basis.
Since our inception in 2012, we’ve:
In Bopulu we funded the construction of a K-12 school, clinic and several small homes for teacher’s residences.
We also pay the tuition for a significant number of students who would not be able to attend without our assistance.
As of 2024, we’ve graduated over 430 students.
In Gorlu we also built a school and clinic in 2022(?) , and are continuing to fund a school that serves 95 students from grade K through 6.
We have provided sewing machines and lessons for women in Liberia to learn a skill to support their families. Over a dozen women in Liberia are now supporting their families through sewing.