ANNUAL UPDATE 2020-21
HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR SCHOOL YEAR
Worldwide, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have an impact and Liberia is not immune. Despite these challenges, our staff and students have continued their work and are making positive progress both on campus and in the wider community.
WHAT’S HAPPENED AT LREC THIS YEAR?
DAYCARE LAUNCHED
The Project launched a daycare for children aged 2-3 years as part of our early years program.
The brainchild of Ms Elaine Cole, now our Head of Academic Affairs, the daycare program provides young learners from the community with a safe and structured space to introduce them to school.
With this introduction the children are being better prepared to enter into nursery and kindergarten with a strong foundation.
TVET WING COMPLETED
Fully supported by the DEAR Foundation and with generous support from the community, our TVET wing opened in December 2020. This three-classroom building adds to our senior high school buildings and provides dedicated space for trades training, with custom built spaces for electrics, auto-mechanics, plumbing and masonry.
All LREC students at high school level complete TVET training as part of their studies, with many going on to use these skills to earn an income, either full time or to support further studies at tertiary level. We were delighted to welcome back some LREC alumni who contributed their skills as part of the labour force to build the new TVET wing.
NANCY SELECTED AS VP FOR ADOLESCENT GIRLS
12th grade student Nancy attended a three-day Gender Awareness conference in Monrovia, hosted by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection.
Nancy is a well-spoken, confident young woman, and it was no surprise to us when she was selected as Vice President for Adolescent Girls in Liberia.
TEACH FOR LIBERIA
This year LREC has two fellows from the Teach for Liberia program placed in the school. Teach for Liberia, a model used in many other countries worldwide, recruits first degree holders and provides them with additional training to become exceptional teachers, before placing their fellows in schools around the nation to enhance teaching quality. Fellows not only teach directly, they also work within their schools to train others and improve teaching quality overall.
LREC Biology teacher, Mr Lionel Jyepah, underwent additional training through their program prior to the academic year’s commencement. A new trainee was also placed with us who is teaching elementary math, assisting in the preparation of a new afterschool match enrichment program, and collaborated with the principal to provide a teacher’s workshop on grief management when the former principal of ten years passed away.
MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
A 12th Grade Mentorship Series was started in June 2021 to help to motivate and prepare the student’s mindsets for graduating from high school and entering the “real world”.
The topics of discussions include using your time wisely, attitude, how to invest in yourself, sacrifice, failure, developing healthy habits and boundaries, commitment, perseverance, and determination.
The topics will be presented by the principal, teachers, class sponsors, alumni, and volunteers
ECO-STOVE & OVEN
Thanks to local craftsmen and funding from The DEAR Foundation, our kitchen staff received a cleaner, more fuel efficient cookstove and oven with which to prepare school meals for our students. Every year, our fabulous kitchen team prepare more than 80,000 meals to develop healthy bodies and feed growing minds!
In the recent past three years, breakfast was added to encourage student timeliness and combat the fatigue, lack of attentiveness, and sluggish behaviour the students were presenting. Teachers have reported a drastic change with student’s ability to learn when they come to school.
DONATIONS
TVET MATERIALS – EMPIRE BUILDING
Dave and the team at Empire Building materials (Duazon) generously provided training tools and materials for use in our new TVET wing. Empire Building have been a fantastic supporter of the school since opening their premises, and we are delighted to have such a wonderful business in our local community.
HAND-WASHING STATIONS – W.O.R.L.D
Women Organize Resources for Liberia’s Development Incorporated provided a timely and much needed hand-washing for our front gate so that students can wash their hands upon entering the school premises. This contribution has helped LREC to maintain the prevention measures pertaining to COVID-19.
ALUMNI
Our first class of seniors graduated as recently as 2017, but they’re already out taking their place in the world. Here are just a few of their many achievements these past twelve months.
HANNAH
Alumni Hannah Tokpah (class of 2019) has completed the initial level of her nursing degree and was “capped” with her whites at Monrovia Bible College. Hannah’s ongoing studies are supported by the Universal Outreach Foundation, who have partnered to provide scholarships to several of our alumni, as well as sponsoring current students at LREC.
EPHRAIM
This year, a second member of our alumni association obtained an Associate Degree. Ephraim Neblett from the Class of 2017, graduated from LICOSSES Teacher Training College, adding to his Monrovia Vocational Training Institute (MVTI) qualification as a refrigerator technician.
LORENA
Lorena (class of 2020) was accepted into the Mabel McComb school of nursing. Lorena is also the recipient of a scholarship from the Universal Outreach Foundation. She joins fellow alumni Hannah Tokpah (Class of 2019) and Felecia Crawford (Class of 2017), who are also pursuing this degree.
FLASHER
Flasher (class of 2020) obtained an advanced certificate in Computer Hardware from the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI). He’s also an avid budding photographer and videographer!
STAFF ALUMNI
Our thanks and best wishes to long-serving staff members Richard Jackson and Zinnah Bombo who have decided to move on from LREC. Both Mr Jackson and Mr Bombo were well respected by the school community and made positive contributions throughout their years at LREC. We look forward to welcoming them back and learning of their new endeavours.
STAFF WHO SKILLED UP
Congratulations to these LREC team members who achieved their own educational successes this year.
NEW TO THE TEAM
This year we welcomed two new members to our team. Thanks to your support we’ve been able to give these fantastic individuals job security. By providing employment opportunities, you’ve enabled each of them to plan for the future, invest in furthering their own education, and provide for their families. In return, they bring their skills, enthusiasm and big hearts to the table as we work together to give young Liberians the best outcomes possible.
ALPHA SUMO, TEACHER
Mr Sumo joined LREC in a voluntary capacity over 12 months ago, supporting in the teaching of social studies at junior high school level whilst completing his teaching qualifications at a local teaching college. Having shown a true talent in the classroom and completing his “C” certificate, Mr Sumo has now joined the LREC team as the 6th grade homeroom teacher.
ABRAHAM FLAHN, TEACHER
Mr Flahn, an LREC alum (class of 2019), has now returned to the school and is teaching physical education across all ages. Well known in the Duazon community, and with a younger sibling at LREC, Mr Flahn is an enthusiastic and valued member of the team.
FAREWELL TO A FORMER LEADER
It was with great sadness that we learnt of the passing of Mr Henry Wolokolie, who served the school for eight years, leaving in 2020 to pursue new projects. Henry was well loved by staff and students and continued to pursue educational projects in the Duazon community after leaving his post at LREC.
“The ability to read, write, and analyze; the confidence to stand up and demand justice and equality; the qualifications and connections to get your foot in the door and take your seat at the table—all of that starts with education.”
OUR FINANCES
When you gave us your money, you gave us your trust to implement educational programs as effectively and efficiently as possible. We want to repay that trust by sharing with you how that money was spent.
