Don’t you love it when your generous giving changes a young person’s life for the better? Well, that is exactly what you did for Joseph P. Nathan!
Joseph lives in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County. Like Monrovia, it is a port city but about two hours away. He heard about our vocational training program and relocated to Monrovia last year to take the electrician course. He received his Electrician Diploma on August 1st and returned to Buchanan. Within a month, he landed a job with a company in his home city. As you can see, your generous giving does make a difference. Thank you!
September 22, started a new term for a new group of students. In fact, many of your new students asked to start their practicals during the first week. For instance, the Event Decoration Students started making bangles on the second class day and sold them to other students. Just like that, they are learning a skill while earning some money.
Your Event Decoration Students Making Bangles
Additionally, your Cosmetology Students began practicing plaiting hair at the Uniting Distant Stars Salon. In the near future, they will be working with actual people to advance their application of this valuable skill. Your students waste no time when it comes to learning a trade career.
Your Cosmetology Students Learning How to Plait (Braid) Hair.
In August, you celebrated the third group of vocational training graduates Then, we restarted recruiting for the fourth cohort. Now, we hope to start classes this month.
Last month, Kelvin Fomba (Co-Founder & Director) went on the air. He also brought two alumni who work with UDS. First, Boakai Dillion, 2017/2018 graduate, works as the electrician Instructor. Second, Myrtle Stoe (2018/2019) graduate, works as the student registrar. Without a doubt, their testimonials drew in potential students.
Left to right, Kelvin Fomba, Boakai Dillon, and Myrtle Stoe.
Another exciting development deals with scholarships. One of our sustaining donors provided a $1,500 scholarship. He asked that we recruit 20 women in auto mechanics, electrician, and plumbing. Furthermore, his scholarships reduce their tuition by half. What a wonderful opportunity!
Additionally, a local Liberian organization registered five students and paid their full tuition. They plan to register more before the next term starts. We hope this leads to a lasting partnership.
Indeed, 2020 gave us many challenges but with all your support we continue forward. Thank you for your generous support!
Liberia started re-opening schools for students in June. The seniors first came back in June and completed in August. Then the government implemented a staggered system for the rest of the students. For instance, different grade levels attend different time frames to promote social distancing.
To summarize, the Infographic below provides the timeline for the remainder of this year. It shows how each group will complete the 2019/2020 academic year. Also, it gives the date when the new year starts. Thanks for supporting your academic students!
You know your giving matters when a recipient pays it forward. During the early part of August, we started making masks for students. One of your graduates, Annita Johnney along with her instructor, Jerry Paypay, made over 500 masks. In fact, they used Kelvin Fomba’s (Liberian Co-Founder & Director) design he developed back in May.
Additionally, the funds used for this project were part of an employer matching gift. During our COVID-19 fundraiser, a $250 donation turned into a $500 matching gift. When the $500 arrived in late July, we immediately applied it to this project.
Finally, these photos show how your generosity inspired Annita to give back. The academic students started wearing theirs in August. We hope the vocational students will wear theirs later this month. Thank you for helping a graduate Pay it forward!
Your graduate , Annita busy making masks for Uniting Distant Stars Students. Your Seventh Grade Students wearing their masks made by Annita Johnney.
As we prepare for the start of the fourth vocational training cohort, you can help motivate them by donating to our annual campaign in providing the learning equipment, materials, and supplies they need to learn a valuable trade. We invite you to give either a one-time gift or become a monthly donor. Click either button below and donate at least $10 to support their learning journey.
