Liberia Trip 2019

You can find Angie Broglio’s journal of the Liberia Trip of 2019 under Newsletters. The following is information from Angie concerning this trip:

A few notes before you read this journal about my trip to Liberia in August 2019. This is a document from my point of view, so please don’t take these words as the absolute truth, as this was just my interpretation of the experience. Also, please remember we went during the rainy season, so this impacted travel during the visit. If I reference the cost of something, it is in USD. I also don’t know if my dad and mine’s presence affected the local people’s behaviors, as we were outsiders coming to look at their way of life. I hope you enjoy reading about this truly incredible experience. Angie Broglio

Attracting Staff

Over the years, we have been involved with the development of the infrastructure that facilitates the learning process along-side recruiting qualified instructional staff. We soon realized that the teachers we hired were being lured over by the government and other NGOs with higher salaries. They were offered additional incentives such as housing and transportation. This put us into a circle of having to recruit staff two years or so.

Now with staff housing underway, teachers who will be recruited will no longer have a fear of where to lay their heads. Your gifts to the staff housing project will help us retain staff in the coming years.

Journey for Quality Christian Based Educations

In 2014, we started this journey of providing Christian-based quality education and gradually we have made progress on recruiting qualified instructional staff while enrolling students desirous of achieving some level of progress that will make a difference in their lives and that of their families, the community and the nation of Liberia.

So families entrust their children to our care to provide opportunity and nurture them in a way that will bring pride to the students, parents and school. One thing remains clear and appreciated – your gifts are making a difference.

Graduation at Bopolu United Methodist Mission Station

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.

For our Early Childhood Division the students are so full of energy and are eager to learn what makes learning easier. At this stage of the learning process, the students always say "my teacher said".  This is a great saying which infers that the teacher is the one setting the agenda and the pace of what is good, correct, necessary, appropriate and right. so one who possesses such an influence ought to have the requisite skill sets and trusting God to shape these very young minds.

In so doing, 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 program, the Valedictorian, Student Momo Barwor, addressed the audience on the topic - CORRUPTION. He started 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.’’

This speech was well received by all in attendance 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.

For the guest speaker, Mr. Cisco, cautioned students to take advantage of every opportunity to acquire knowledge. Education is the key to development, progress, success and realization of dreams.

Earlier during the baccalaureate, Pastor Seward, preached on the theme ‘’ The Purpose shapes the process’’ with Mark 6: 24-25

THE FIELD TRIP

One conquers on adventure and learns from mistakes which form part of the experience that make up life. Our field trip was certainly an eye opening adventure. we had made a couple of phone calls to pre-arrange the trip before writing the formal communication to all of the schools involved. The games began and were played under a very peaceful atmosphere. Our Eric Scott Broncos won the kickball game but lost the quizzing and football games. Our students said the food was good. The downside, according to the Eric Scott girls, was that the girls of the Pidgeons weren't friendly. 

If you have had a first time trip into the city, you'll understand: the pointing, looking and excitement plus the fun on the buses. The school's principal and staff were welcoming.Our students were amazed at the structure of the campus: the fence, wall fans in the classrooms, flat screen television, the lockers, library, the gym, and the school bus. 

The games went well as the Broncos won the kickball, lost to the quizzing and tied in football. The Broncos did not play the basketball game as they do not have an opportunity yet to learn or a playing space at home.

We thank the Almighty God for this opportunity to have our students experience travel, foodand behavior.

Story condensed from Newsletter by F. Shaffa Seward, Pastor-in-Charge

School News

Our teachers are certified to be able 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 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).
• Organize and plan systematic instruction based upon knowledge of the subject matter, pupils, the community, and curriculum goals.
• Interpret and use formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and ensure the continuous intellectual, social, and physical development of the learner.

With all of these characteristics as expectations, we are striving to have a learning environment that will enhance learning. We are hoping that upon completion of the infrastructure development, and , on adding more qualified and competent instructional staff, we will enjoy the benefits of investing in education.

Fulfilling a Promise

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.