By Fanta L. Keita & Onesimus S. Garway
MONROVIA, July 21 (LINA) – Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor has inspired Liberian girls to take education as their first priority so that they may help contribute to the development of their society.
She was speaking when she engaged the Jewel Starfish Foundation beneficiaries in Harbel and Grand Bassa County at the weekend.
The exercise was intended to follow up the performance and behavior of the beneficiaries and also turnover to them forms that will need filling for the next school year requirements.
At the engagement ceremonies, she stressed that education is the bedrock of any nation, adding: « if we miss it, I do not care what we do, it is like we ran a race of going back instead of going forward. »
Madam Taylor added that education is about understanding the time and season that will prepare one for the future, citing that « if we provide equal opportunity for all of the children, a lot can happen. »
The Vice President emphasized that if everyone in government can take on the initiative of educating a child, Liberia will get to its intended destination, pointing out that when few people are involved in the process, it becomes a burden.
According to her, the foundation is holding on working for women and girls because they are the bedrocks of the society, and encouraged the beneficiaries to make great marks in their study because “whatever fascinates you, that should be done to the best of your ability; your education is one of the things that no one will take from you »
She hailed parents who understand the importance of education, stressing that they will work in order to give the best education to their children.
Madam Taylor also encouraged parents to continue their work of supporting the children because education is the most important thing anyone can give to a person, adding that she will always extend her support to anyone that is in need of education.
In remarks, Grand Bassa County Superintendent Janjay Baikpeh thanked Madam Taylor for the initiative to impact children in the society, expressing his excitement to see the children of Grand Bassa benefiting from the Vice President’s goodwill gesture.
He urged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the opportunity because it comes once, indicating that not everyone has that advantage to arrive at the program’s planned destination, advising the participants to be focused.
The Jewel Starfish Foundation is a non-governmental and non-profit organization works to empower women and girls, build capacity, mentor as well as give micro-loan. It is supported by the Vice President of Liberia.
LINA FLK/OSG/PTK
