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Education is #1 for Liberian youth

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  Profile:
  Liberia

Liberia
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Missionary
  Biography:
  Herbert
  Zigbue

Missionary
  Biography:
  Mary Zigbue

 Herbert & Mary Zigbue are assigned as missionaries to the Education Program in Liberia, West Africa. In a recent newsletter they shared their thoughts on the value of education to Liberian youth and told how many children are unable to afford school in the present economy.

...Education is number one on the list of priorities for most Liberian youngsters. Some engage in small business enterprises (selling cookies, peanuts, doughnuts, etc.) during school recess to raise funds to pay their school fees.

When there is no school in a particular town or village, many children travel great distances to reach one. If there is no relative in the location, they then hire themselves out as servants in households of families that can afford them a bed, meals, and school fees in exchange for household duties performed for the family.

A pastor told a story during a community bible study. He shared that, as a youngster, he grew up in a large family and sought ways to earn income to assist his father in paying his school fees. So he decided to sell palm nuts. Climbing up a tree to cut the palm nut clusters, he accidentally cut his hand. The pastor said he felt the pain, was frightened by the sight of blood, and for a moment considered quitting. But, when he weighed quitting against the chance of finding the necessary funds to pay his school fees, he knew that he needed not only that cluster of palm nuts, but many more. So he tied his bleeding hands with a palm leaf and kept on cutting. That "pastor" is today Bishop John Innis, episcopal leader of the United Methodist Church in Liberia.

Last year, at a Sunday School class, nine-year-old Melvin Yancy uttered a prayer that included: God, help our ma pay our school fees; God, help our ma buy our school uniform. Melvin's prayer was said during the time of year when school was opening and fees were due. The beginning of a school year is a very anxious time for children, most of whom know that their parents simply cannot afford fees and uniforms for all their children.

It is evident that Liberian children will do just about anything for opportunity to attend school. The least we can do is to match their determination and faith by doing all we can to help. Thanks to efforts of the church more than 400 children, youth and adults received scholarship during the 2000/2001 school year.
General Board of Global Ministries
United Methodist Church
475 Riverside Drive - New York, New York 10115
1-800-UMC-GBGM