So far 66 Liberian youths are benefitting from semester tuition assistance in Monrovia by the humanitarian non-governmental organization, YesLiberia with headquarters in Bear, Delaware, United States of America.
Their motto, “empowering the deprived to achieve greatness,” and their name, YesLiberia, is a wake-up call, according to founder, Z. J. Jallah, to Liberians to face the challenges of the future and nation building.
Known by friends as Strive, for his unyielding determination to succeed in the midst of discouraging events when he first arrived in the United States several years ago, Jallah is a graduate of Bartram High School, and has obtained his Bachelors degree in Management Science and Information Systems from Pennsylvania State University.
“We need to give back to our society,” Jallah said in a telephone interview recently, “the disadvantages facing Liberian children have moved me, along with several friends to form this organization to ensure that our deserving brothers and sisters at home receive some assistance from us.”
Introductory Clip about YesLiberia
He said the organization is supplementing the efforts of Liberian parents, in partnership with selected educational institutions in Monrovia and has provided tuition assistance for 66 students, both males and females, from elementary to high school level.
“We place priority on responsible students,” he said, “and those eager to learn to become dependable adults. We want the beneficiaries to eventually accept the challenge to contribute for a brighter future, not only for themselves but for Liberia also.”
The organization’s website, ( www.YesLiberia.org), lists, among other things, biographies of all the eighteen college-educated volunteers, and their reasons for coming together, to serve as mentors for the youth of Liberia.
Jallah said: This is the time Liberians should let their action speak louder than their inaction,” a philosophical expression that he believes, contains the primary motivation for every Liberian to recognize the need, “to do something,” for Liberian youths.
YesLiberia Project in Liberia (Why YesLiberia needs your help)
To benefit from the tuition assistance, according Jallah, junior and senior high school students, among other things, will provide a 250-word written essay, on one of the following topics, a. What is the importance of education to you and to Liberia? b. Discuss the phrase “education is the key to success” in reference to Liberia and c. What is education and who is responsible for educating you?
He said a qualified student must have an average GPA score of 95 per cent or its equivalent or higher for three consecutive periods and the student must have attendance record of 90 percent or higher.
A selected pictorial of YesLiberia Staff
He said the organization is in need of, “action-oriented Liberians, who are interested in changing the imperfections of Liberia one step at a time.”
Jallah said he believes in transparency, accountability, and honesty, and choosing to empower the underprivileged of Liberia, noting that members comprise of young Liberians who are determined to leave the world better than they met it by donating money and services and by volunteering time and talent.
Editor’s Note: Click on YesLiberia to read more information about the organization.
|
