The Liberia Institute for the Promotion of Academic Excellence has launched a COVID Care Package of L$2.2 million (US$11,111) in Bomi and Grand Cape Mount to assist local communities and parents of beneficiaries under its Second Chance program, with support from its donor partner.
“Empowering local communities and parents through non-food and food support significantly contributes to building resilient communities, as they provide an opportunity to support existing efforts to ensure continuous learning at home by the Ministry of Education and partners,” said Benjamin M. Freeman Jr., executive director of LIPACE.
The L$2.2 million COVID Care Package helps contribute to recovery efforts and mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on rural communities in Grand Cape and Bomi. Beneficiary communities include Zordee, Nyamah, Jah-Konah, New Road, Tai Town, Coleman Hill, Gbargmy’s Town, Ndormagbay, Johnson Farm, Nimba Point, Ballah’s Town, Kon’s Town, Sawmill, and Medina. The exercise is expected to directly benefit 730 households, including the leadership structure across 14 rural communities.
“We’re grateful for the partnership of LIPACE and her donor partner in supporting our students and parents. This support will play a key role in ensuring every student has the tools and support needed to learn from home despite the presence of Covid-19,” said Evelyn Twum, county education officer for Bomi, at the launch of the COVID Care Package.
LIPACE’s L$2.2 million COVID Care package includes 730 bags of 25 kg rice, 30 pieces of 90 L handwashing barrels, detergents, and school supplies (copybooks, pencils, pens) to support existing continuous learning program such as the Ministry of Education “Teaching by Radio.” The COVID Care Package comes after the distribution of 1,300 literacy and numeracy workbooks for students within the Second Chance program.
“We commend LIPACE for their much-needed support to communities during the Coronavirus pandemic,” said Boima Sarnoe, the chairman of the Bomi chapter of the National Civil Society Organization, during the launch. “LIPACE has a proven record of empowering communities through education across Bomi, and we look forward to monitoring this exercise.”
LIPACE’s COVID Care Package is the beginning of consolidated efforts to directly benefit project communities. In the next two weeks, LIPACE is expected to set up 25 handwashing stations across different communities in Bomi and Grand Cape. The organization hopes to launch a media program aimed at engaging and motivating students to consistently listen to the Ministry of Education’s “Teaching by Radio” program.
