...brings many things.
Rainy season is here in full swing. There are no longer short bits of rain overnight. Instead, torrential down pours and thunder storms that last 24 hours or more cause getting around town, and staying dry, to be very tricky.
And then of course, school is closing for the year. Graduation season is here. All over town the streets are filled with kids in their graduation attire-- hats, gowns, ribbons, special hair-dos. The only difference is, most of these kids are graduating from Kindergarten.
Kindergarten graduation is a BIG deal in Liberia. Liberians say it is the first time a child has really accomplished something important. The graduation ceremonies (and gifts) encourage the children to keep working hard in school.
This week, I was honored to be chosen to present the graduation certificates to the young graduates from the Danny Feeney Memorial School that is connected to the orphanage we work with of the same name. Twelve students, seven who live at the orphanage, were honored for moving up to the first grade. They were presented with gifts and songs, the day even ended with a dance party.
Education has not always been so important in Liberia. During the years of war most of the educated people were forced to flee the country. Schools became a place for children to congregate, but uncertainty, lack of teachers and malnutrition brought book-learning to a complete halt. Many children didn’t get to start school until after the war, which explains why some of the kindergarten graduates this week were as old at twelve.
I am proud of the kids at Danny Feeney Memorial orphanage and school. A few years ago they were squatting in a old displaced person’s camp. Today they have a home of their own which seconds as the school for over a hundred children each week.
My co-workers and I at Orphan Relief and Rescue have a lot of hopes and dreams for these kids, including a new school building on their campus, but that takes us to the third thing June brings-- extremely low funds. These summer months are very lean for Orphan Relief and Rescue financially. It is difficult for us to maintain our day to day runnings let alone think about a bigger project like a much needed new school. We trust God to provide all that is needed, but would also like to ask you to consider partnering with us again during this season. Donate here today.
To all graduates, in Liberia or elsewhere around the world, I say congratulations, and keep up the hard work!
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