We recently had an update from Fr Riccardo s.d,b who runs the Salesian ministy in Tappita, a place very close to Sean’s heart. In common with the whole of Liberia, this year has been challenging. The statement below is the last public pronouncement from George Weah, President of Liberia. This was given to the UN in September.
“Your Excellencies, Africa has been hit hard by the pandemic, although the continent has not seen the number of deaths and affected persons as has been the case in many advanced countries. We can only attribute this to the MERCY OF OUR ALMIGHTY GOD, who has made sure that predictions of massive numbers of deaths on the continent of Africa did not materialize.
In Liberia, we were able to build on our previous experience six (6) years ago with the Ebola Viral Epidemic, and I am proud to say that the Government and its development partners have mounted a robust National Covid Response that seems to have contained COVID-19 for the time being.
As a result, only about One Thousand Three Hundred and Twenty-one (1,320) Liberians have been affected by COVID-19 to date, of which approximately One Thousand Two Hundred and Thirteen (1,213) of these have fully recovered, with some 82 Liberians falling to the epidemic.
I therefore want to extend special thanks to our bilateral and multilateral partners for the strong support Liberia received to deal with the COVID-19 emergency and help sustain the Liberian economy. The Government has now developed a Post-Covid Economic Recovery Plan that prioritizes short term actions and investments in key sectors such as agriculture and tourism, as a means of reducing the impact of COVID-19 but also providing the basis for economic recovery”.
We support 120 children via sponsorship in Tappita and here are 2 recent pictures of those starting and those finishing school.
It goes without saying that your continued support of our events and your sponsorship is invaluable to these young people. Fr Riccardo summarises this as below:
The School Year 2019-2020 has been a very though and unpredictable one. And, given the harsh socio-economic reality due to the COVID – 19, something similar (if not worse) could be foreseen for the coming year 2020-2021.
The school is in a financially depressed state. The parents and students are in a disadvantaged position given the struggle they are undergoing, and even worse if we were to raise the school fees (which no matter how irrelevant it could be) has to take place.
The teachers are also victims to the fact of low wages that could barely sustain their individual families. They too need a better remuneration, more consistent with their dignity, service and commitment. In conscience and out of respect of their dignity we have to increase it!
Our greatest hope is in scholarships from our trusted friends.
Last year, through yours and other friends’ support, we were able to give 120 students scholarship. These students economic situation has deteriorated and they will be looking up to us for assistance this coming academic year 2020/2021. It is our ardent hope that our friends could extend a helping hand to these children through the school to secure for them a better future. Whatever assistance for scholarship will be highly appreciated.
