It all started with the war.

“A civil war broke out in Liberia in 1989. It started with a rebellion between dissidents against the government of Liberia then headed by the President, Dr. Samuel Kanyon Doe who himself came to power through a military coup d’etat in 1980. 

The war soon turned out to be a tribal war with tribes against each other. There was mass destruction of infrastructure including school buildings and other learning institutions, churches, mosques, private homes, etc. 

After 14 years of war, a peace agreement was signed and an election was held.

Post-war Liberia has many shortages because of the destruction. The first problem that donors began to address was the food shortage. The second problem was many children born during the fourteen years of war did not have schools to attend. There was only one school in my community then. The school was near an unfinished old building near drainage, with no desks. The students sat on logs and anything else they could find. During the rainy season, the drainage would overflow and the students were sitting literally in the water. This condition was not only experienced in my community; but, in many other communities.

I was invited to Canada by the Canadian Foodgrains Bank of Canada a partner to the Association of Evangelicals of Liberia (AEL), an umbrella organization of Evangelical churches and institutions in Liberia. I was the General Secretary of AEL at the time. The Canadian Foodgrains Bank through World Relief Canada provided wheat, oil, and lentils to Liberians in need through the partnership with AEL. 

I was invited to speak to the many farmers and organizations who made grains donations through the Canadian Foodgrains Bank to World Relief Canada and then shipped to AEL in Liberia. AEL, then through Evangelical churches and institutions, distributed the food to people in displaced centers and communities.

While in Canada, I spoke at churches and with many farmer groups in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. I explained the critical state of affairs in Liberia such as food shortage, lack of health care, limited educational facilities, and insecurity.

I first visited Eston in March 2009. Following a presentation at the Eston Full Gospel Church there was a Q & A session. During this session, I shared much more information about the prevailing precarious situation at the time including the many dire needs of post-war Liberia. 

It was at that meeting that late Betty Mcleod asked that given all of the situations I narrated, was there anything I wish to do to help my country? It was then that I told the audience that if I could, starting a girl’s school was at the center of my heart, and that I was praying for God’s will. 

Betty was captivated by the girl’s school dream. She then expressed her interest in helping to get the school started. Her enthusiasm was spread to others like Murray and Joanne Johnston and Marie and Steve Knutson who decided to join Betty to help make the girl’s school in Liberia a reality.  

Soon, many in the town of Eston mobilized and several fundraiser events were held. Marie and Steve Knutson became involved in collecting school supplies and equipment. Marie organized the container shipment. Steve organized a Fish Fry fundraiser. Glenys and Randy Getz organized a Brunch fundraiser in Brock, Saskatchewan. Heather and Jack Piett organized a Golf Tournament fundraiser. The students at the Eston College (Under the leadership of Brian Fuller) organized a Banquet fundraiser. Brad Tucker organized a Country Music Concert fundraiser. Starts about the golf tournament etc. There was also a Celebrate Women’s Day fundraiser held by Shannon Elkaschuck. Al Heron organized a phone book project. Alison Krenz made book marks and bracelets for sale, with the proceeds going towards the girls school. Jill Thome organized a pizza fundraiser. The Eston Composite School did a taco-in-a-bag fundraising project. It was truly a community project involving all the churches, schools, and many individuals.

Donations came in to begin the construction followed by a forty-foot container of school supplies, equipment, clothes, and many other items sent to Liberia. Clothes and shoes were distributed to more than five hundred community members.

Donations for the school in Liberia also came from Minnedosa, Manitoba, organized by Glenn and Sue Friesen. The students at a high school in Minnedosa also gave donations. 

The donations were used to construct the school and donations continue to come in for the operation of the school including a scholarship for students, feeding (breakfast and dinner) as well as support to teachers and staff salaries. 

The school opened in September 2012. However, based on the appeal from the community members, the administration of the school decided to enroll both girls and boys. The school began with kindergarten to third grade, adding one class each year up to 9th grade.”

FROM OUR FOUNDER, VICTORIA WOLLIE