Class is in session. The children in the photo are in Whybo, where Markson Farley, a member of the Dougbe River School Local Board, has begun teaching them to read and write to prepare them for the opening of the school. Whybo is one of the three villages within walking distance of our campus, so these kids will be able to attend the school as soon as it opens, before we’ve raised the money for dormitories.

Meanwhile, construction of the second classroom building continues. Thanks to Eric Waylee of BADRA, the construction firm, and Sonnie Morris of the United Nations Mission in Liberia for these photos. As always, you can click on the photos for a closer look.

Barway on our new motorcyle. Click to enlarge.

Barway Garlo is a guy who does a lot for our project in Liberia. He keeps tabs on construction, he talks about the school on United Nations radio news broadcasts, and he’s a key communications link between our board in the United States and the school site in Twarbo Region. (There is no electricity or cell-phone service in Twarbo, but Barway lives in Zwedru, where there is.)

In late December, Barway had a serious accident on the school’s motorcycle while returning from Twarbo to Zwedru. The motorcycle was totaled, and Barway suffered a serious chest injury. Somehow he got to the hospital in Zwedru, but it was understood he needed to go to a newer hospital in Tappita, in Nimba County, to the northwest. We sent money from Ohio to facilitate the move, but it takes a while for our money to get to Zwedru, and we were worried.

U.N. staff members had visited Barway in the hospital in Zwedru and were aware of his condition. Before our money got there, Jacques Adegbidi of the U.N. Mission in Liberia realized that a U.N. helicopter that was about to go from Zwedru to Tappita had space on it for Barway, and arranged for him to be transported to the new hospital.

Barway has recovered, returned home and returned to work.

A few of the children of Twarbo Region.

We’re starting a drive to buy a truck for the school, because we have become convinced it’s necessary to the school’s operation. Transportation is extremely difficult in Twarbo Region, both because roads and bridges are in poor condition and because a lot of the vehicles are, too. We think it will take about $20,000 to buy a good used truck, with a high clearance, that will suit our needs. 

Any contribution you can make toward the purchase of this truck will be greatly appreciated. We’re also exploring grant options, but so far this mission has moved forward with small donations and grants from individuals and partner congregations. With a reliable truck, we believe we can open the school this fall and begin accepting students from Sayuo, Buway and Whybo, the villages within walking distance. Checks can be made out to Dougbe River Presbyterian School and mailed to Noble Road Presbyterian Church, 2780 Noble Road, Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44121. The church is a 501(c)3 organization and donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. (That language courtesy of my wife, Ann, a CPA.)

Peace,
John Luttermoser
Secretary to the General Board
Dougbe River Presbyterian School

Isaac Monah and Dirk Raateland of German Agro Action in front of the principal's house.

Isaac returned December 19 from a trip to Liberia to show the school site to a representative of German Agro Action, a non-profit that is working to help the people of southeast Liberia. Dirk Raateland of German Agro Action (or Welthungerhilfe, as it is known in Germany) gave us a lot of positive feedback and spoke with a radio reporter for the United Nations Mission in Liberia about his organization’s interest in the project.

German Agro Action plans to build latrines and hand-pumps for wells on our campus, and help with the roads and bridges between Twarbo Region and Ziah Town. The organization has a particular interest in constructing living quarters for teachers, having learned that this is a critical factor in sustaining schools in rural Africa.

Meanwhile, we’re close to finishing the two classroom buildings and the principal’s house/guest house.

A worker on the roof of one of the classroom buildings.

A good look at the zinc roof of one of the classroom buildings.

Scott and Isaac at the event in Des Moines

Over Labor Day weekend, Isaac Monah and Dougbe River board member Scott McGraw traveled to Des Moines, Iowa for a gathering of the Grand Gedeh Association in the Americas. It was a valuable opportunity to promote the project among people from Grand Gedeh County, and Isaac was presented with a certificate of appreciation.

Grand Gedeh County is in eastern Liberia, and has a border with the nation of Ivory Coast (Cote d’Ivoire).  The Dougbe River Presbyterian School is in Twarbo Region of Konobo District, the easternmost of three districts in Grand Gedeh County.