(The girls in green are from St. Martin's School. Emily is on the far right in the photos with the school children).
My Trip to Gbarnga, Bong County
William V. S. Tubman Gray United Methodist High School
In Gbarnga, Bong County, I visited two schools. My first visit was at the William V. S. Tubman Gray United Methodist High School. I met the principal Mr. P. Harvey Willie, who whole heartedly took me around the campus, and was happy for the scholarship program. He took me to the 9th grade class to talk to the girls of that class. Then the girls asked questions.
We distributed the forms to all the students of the Grade 9 class and explained that there was a selection process and it was not possible to give scholarships to all the girls. Hence the selection process so as to ensure that the girls who had the greatest need based on the criteria set by Common Ground received the scholarship. We asked the girls to write a hand written application and attach a photo to their applications and send them to the Principal’s office. We held an interview with the applicants the following day along with the principal and one lady teacher. I informed the applicatants that they will know if they are selected through a letter which would be sent to the principal of the school.
St Martin Catholic High School
My second visit was at the St. Martin’s High School. This is a Catholic school System. I met with the principal Mr. Darwin who took me around the campus to see the girls. I visited the 6th grade class. I was informed by the principal that the school has more girls than boys. Many according to the principal found it difficult to pay their fees.
I met with the students of Grade Six and explain to them the purpose of the scholarship. We distributed the application forms and told the girls to attach a handwritten application with a passport photo to the applications. The following day we conducted the interviews with the students in the office of the principal.
During our stay in Gbarnga, we visited the Methodist High School agricultural farm where rice and other crops are planted. We also paid surprise visits at the home of some of the girls who applied for the scholarship and met with the Chief Education Officer who was very happy about the scholarship program. He noted that most of the scholarship programs in the country benefits only students in the urban area and expressed the hope that the scholarship will help to retain and increase enrolment of girls in the county. We also visited some parts of the city as well as the general market.
I finally had a meeting with the Principals of the both schools before my departure from Gbarnga. In our meeting we discussed how we will work with them directly in collecting academic records of the beneficiaries.
Kakata, Margibi County
Dekegar Community School
In Kakata, Margibi, I visited three schools. The first was the Dekegar Community School. I had no intention of visiting this school prior to my coming to Kakata. But seeing the school from afar, I felt impelled to reach the campus. This is a community junior high school. The school is housed in an unfinished building; some of the classes are held practically outside, majority of the young pupils I saw were only wearing slippers. Some were in color clothes because they can’t afford the cost of uniforms and the school authority had to be patient until the parents could buy the uniforms.
Many of the girls with told me that they sell palm nuts, fish and other food stuff to pay their fees and even still found it difficult to get the fees on time. Most of the students in the school walk long distances to come to school. The learning condition is deplorable especially when it comes to classrooms and chairs.
Based on my observation and the need of girls in this school I decided to distribute some forms to the students in Grade 9.
At St. Christopher Catholic High school, I met the Vice principal Mr.Massiquoi. I arrived at the school when students were sitting to their fourth period tests so I did not have the opportunity to speak to the students directly as I wanted. I managed to talk with a few of them who finished their tests when I was still on campus. We however explained the purpose of the scholarships and gave the forms to the Principal.
Upon second thought I decided to include one public school into scholarship scheme so it would not look like we had some indifference with public schools. Thus I visited the Allen Yancy Junior High School. In this school the education is free for the elementary section but the junior high section pay fees. I met the principal Mr. Milton A.F. Coleman who discussed the need for a girls’ scholarship program. He stated that inspite of the fact the fees are relatively low, many girls could not afford to pay even their registration fees.
I later had a meeting with the girls in Grade 9.
The following day I conducted the interviews at all the schools and informed the applicants that those selected for the scholarship will shortly know. We also held discussions with the principals.
THE SELECTION
The final selection was done at Common Ground Society with the inputs of the staff. It was difficult process, but based on my personal observation and interview notes we managed to make the following selections:
St . Martins - Bong County (10 Students selected)
Patience Corrans
Madusu K. Aromah
Winder V. Kollie
Karkue S. Dunbar
Neomie Y. Mulbah
Youku Y Johnson
Lorpu B. Kpangbah
Roseline D. Tonkoille
Korbawulu T. Barpeen
Michaeline T. Biddle
Methodist High - Bong County (11 Students selected)
Linda Mulbah
Rose Diggs
Neyeah Sumo
Helena Paulono
Aminata Donzo
Lovette Goodridge
Gifty Youhn
Mary Korsee
Leemu Kennedy
Tete Dologbuman
Jennis Flomo 4th grade *
(on the day of my departure, this little girl walked up to me and asked if she could get a scholarship from me. I was really touched since it is not a normal thing for young people to just walk up to an adult (especially strangers) and ask for favors. I walked back with her to the principal’s office and asked to see her grades while she waited outside. She is doing remarkably well, however, the principal told me she was one of the students that could not afford her fees. I did not promise anything but I told her I will see what I could do. I explained this to our staff and everyone thought it would be good to include on the program. That is how we selected her.
St. Christopher - Margibi County (5 students selected)
Dorothy George
Matu Kollie
Josephine Fallah
Hawa Kiawu
Deborah Teeman
Dekegar Elementary and Jr. High - Margibi County (11 Students selected)
Alice Whikolo
Comfort Naimah
Olivia Massaquoi
Henritta Tambah
Love Vah
Rebecca Kollie
Annie Naimah
Annie Jouah
Gracial Holder
Famata Harris
Atura Garway
E. J. Yancy Elementary and Junior High – (10 students selected)
Teta Y. Dolo
Lovina Thomas
Ophelia Bayoh
Nancy Cooper
Malusu Kanneh
Joanna Nazen
Meme Neagar
Christina Tokpah
Moneh Kappeh
Mailee Seingbah
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