Liberian Student Studying In U.S. Raised Money To Renovate Public School Margibi County

In the wake of a severe storm and heavy rain, the Yalon Town Public School building sustained severe degradation. The aftermath of the storm was a damaged roof and collapsed building which caused students to learn in an inhospitable environment. Before the storm destroyed the school, numerous challenges posed risks: students had to endure uncomfortable conditions in their classes by sitting on the floor and being instructed on a wall instead of a blackboard.

Due to the aforementioned, an undergraduate Liberian student studying at the University of Rochester in New York, USA raised $1,634 for the renovation of the Yalon Town Public School located in Yalon, Margibi County. Mohammed Bah launched a Gofundme/fundraising campaign under the name “Help Renovate Yalon Town Public School.” 

In the past through the Moijama Educational Foundation, which he Co-founded, the foundation donated benches, blackboards, and an office desk to make sure the students have a comfortable learning environment. 

Yalon Town Public School is the only school that provides primary education for young students in more than 20 rural villages serving hundreds of families and students. Mohammed, the organizer of the campaign revealed that, in addition to the crumbling school building, other issues impede students’ ability to learn: windows are broken, and students are forced to sit in the sunlight to take part in classroom activities as the roof was torn off in the storm.

“The school is run by the villagers, and it receives no other support or external funding. Reconstructing the building is a huge financial task for the school or the parents of the kids. Families of these children have serious financial challenges, and they cannot foot the bill for school fees. Neither the reconstruction of the school’s building’’ Mohammed said.

It is estimated that $6,740 will be needed to renovate the school. So far, only $1,634 has been raised. It is expected that this money will be used to build a modern school, a mini library, offices, and a bathroom. Although the full amount was not raised, the funds have been disbursed to the school and the project is expected to begin soon. The funds that were raised will be used to reroof the building, plaster the walls, and install windows and doors. Despite not being able to raise the targeted amount to aid in other projects, the raised funds will still benefit students. 

“We are grateful to everyone who contributed to this campaign by donating and sharing and making this campaign possible. It would not have been possible to reach this point without your donations. The team on the ground deserves my appreciation for all the support they have provided. Donations to Gofundme are still being accepted, and people are encouraged to do so. You can find the link here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-renovate-yalon-town-public-school

Mohammed lamented.’’ 

“We have to do everything in our power to ensure that this building is reconstructed, and its environment is conducive to achieving the goal of educating these kids. We urge you to support this project to help these kids realize their dreams of becoming doctors, lawyers, pilots, police officers, athletes, etc. No matter what amount your donation is, it all counts! Be sure to make it count!” Mohammed said

*Some of the narrations are excerpts from the Gofundme created by Mohammed Bah. It can be accessed here http://gofundme.me/8a63f11c