It all started out with Michael Baesah, a math intern at Brooklyn Junior High and also one of our Liberian community members, asking a simple question: "What is the math department planning to do with the current text books when our new books come in?” When Linda Rud, the teacher he was working with told him they were planning on recycling the books, he became ecstatic. What was the reason behind all of his excitement? Well, the thought of being able to donate thousands of books to his recovering homeland filled his mind.

Back in Liberia in 1989, a civil was broke out and nearly one million people were displaced; and a high percentage of them actually reside here in Minnesota. Their civil war ended about 10 years ago and Liberians’ temporary protected status was supposed to end on October 1st, 2007. But recently, President George W. Bush decided to extend the stay of Liberians under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) another 18 months. The government feels that sending back the refugees to the country of Liberia would cause instability in the country and also the region. The Liberians who have resided here since the start of their nation’s civil war have earned jobs and raised their families here; many also support family who are still in Liberia. Children attending school in the United States would have no advantage in returning back to Liberia knowing that the education over there just doesn’t compare to what is available in the US.

In an interview with students that are from Liberia, they explained their school systems are very different from the school they currently attend, Park Center Senior High. PC student Napoleon Capard said, “Back in Liberia, students wore uniforms, boys cut their hair and the girls get braids. If you came to school late, you go home. They don’t let you in. They don’t have computers or books like at this school.” Charlotte Lawrence, a Liberian student also attending PC, replied and said, “In Liberia, you have to get your own books and buy it yourself. The school doesn’t provide you with any books; not for math, English, or anything.”

After hearing about the math department planning to recycle the books, Michael Baesah called his contacts at the government of Liberia and the donations of these “old” books began. In the end, nearly 30,000 6-12 grade textbooks and teacher resource materials, 800 computers with an additional 50 spare monitors, and 6-8 overhead projectors were donated to the recovering land of Liberia. The country was so grateful for the donation from the Osseo Schools that they sent a delegate from Liberia, Dew Tuon-Wleh Mayson, to visit and thank us for this wondrous gift to their schools.

Professor Dew Tuon-Wleh Mayson came to visit the Osseo Schools on September 13th, 2007 and had a long day planned for him. The day started out with an opening continental breakfast and reception at PCSH. There was also a press conference with many important people including Professor Dew Tuon-Wleh Mayson, Superintendent Susan Hintz, Park Center principal Kelli Parpart, Osseo District math curriculum specialist Pamela Richards and School Board member Lin Myszkowski. Professor Mayson toured the halls of Park Center and met with a few of the students attending PCSH. He then went to connecting school, Brooklyn Junior High and observed classrooms and also had lunch with BJH students. After touring the Educational Service Center, Professor Mayson visited the school of Edgewood Elementary. We thanked Professor Dew Tuon-Wleh Mayson for his visit and the day was over.

Student Napoleon Cabard was asked how he thought the donated school materials would help education in Liberia and replied, “I think it would improve their school system, since they don’t have computers and students would finally have books if they can’t get their own books.”

“Well, for one thing, after the 14 year conflict, infrastructure was destroyed. Schools were not operating and lacked technology”, informed Lorilee Andreini from the Osseo District Office. “The donations to Liberia were sent to the Liberian Ministry of Education located in Monrovia, which is the capital of Liberia. Computers aren’t sent to every school, but distributed in certain centers where people can access and learn how to use them. The books are, of course, sent to the schools. The children in Liberia don’t have access to books and technology so they’re hungry to have it. For Liberian kids, getting the opportunity to learn is an honor and privilege. I think the children will be highly motivated to learn.” Lorilee Andreini said that the Liberian Education Ministry specifically asked for teacher training books because teachers in Liberia don't have the opportunities to be as highly and skillfully trained as needed.

Books, computers, and even teachers are learning tools that our students take for granted each and every day. These tools can and will change the lives of students half way around the world.


-Michelle Pham (PCSH Webteam)