The administration of one of the oldest public primary learning facilities in Grand Bassa is lauding ArcelorMittal to for its intervention into a critical renovation need.
The Buchanan Demonstration Elementary School has for years struggled to attain a modern outlook with windows, doors and nearly all of its key facilities torn apart, as it grappled with lack nearly all facilities that qualify for learning since the end of war.
With hundreds of students enrolled annually at the Bassa Demonstration Elementary School in Buchanan, the school dangerously operates under the falling and leaking roof, placing students, teachers and administrative staff in clear danger.
But last year, its principal, an influential son of Grand Bassa County, Emmanuel Wragboe, launched a community assistance drive aimed at soliciting money to carry out renovation at the once famous elementary school.
After engagement with several businesses and individuals in the county, ArcelorMittal Liberia on October 5, 2022 presented a cheque for US$7,500 (seven thousand five hundred United States dollars) for the renovation of the Bassa Demonstration Elementary School following a request for assistance from the school.
AML’s Corporate Services executives said the amount was “part of the company’s contribution to supporting the provision of quality education to all Liberians, especially the children who are the leaders of the future”.
On Thursday, the Principal, Emmanuel Wragboe, told reporters in Buchanan that the school overwhelmingly appreciates the AML contribution.
He vowed that the administration will use every cent of the gift presented by ArcelorMittal to the “fullest benefit of the students”.
“Let me begin by saying thanks to ArcelorMittal for this timely gesture. We appreciate the amount, and we can assure the company that the donation will be used for the purpose it was requested, and a utilization report will be given to her,” the principal stated.
“I also want them to continue with their kindness to the schools so as to help improve our education facilities,” he maintained.
Wragboe decried that lack of support to the school by the government, but said he is aware that the “government is challenged, and to see ArcelorMittal doing this, I am impressed”.
He admitted that school-going children have been under the rain, “but with this donation there will be some relief to the students and school’s administration”.
The money donated by ArcelorMittal, said the principal of the Buchanan Demonstration School, will go towards reroofing, repairing doors and windows, fencing and painting the school to give it a deserving outlook.
ArcelorMittal has continued to support the advancement of education in Liberia, with vast support to high schools, universities and colleges.
Last year, the company distributed education supplies to forty-eight schools in communities nearest its operation to help support the education of students and ease the financial burden of parents when it comes to the purchase of school materials for their children.
Early 2022, ArcelorMittal Liberia launched a new education support initiative known as the Community Scholarship Program. The scholarship program supports twelfth graders, as well as students in accredited public colleges and specialized tertiary educational institutions in Bong, Grand Bassa, and Nimba counties.
Meanwhile, relatives of a young Liberia woman, Linda Poquee, have extolled ArcelorMittal’s contribution of US$5,000, presented last week Friday.
Poquee, a 37-year-old Liberian and student of the University of Liberia, is said to be suffering from eye cancer, and has used friends and family members to solicit funds on her behalf.
AML made the US$5,000 intervention following an SOS call on OK FM in Monrovia to enable her access advanced medical treatment in India.