Several school authorities and students outside the concession area of Firestone Liberia have commended the Management of the company for what they called “its constant contributions towards the educational advancement of the young people of Liberia”.
The educators and students made the commendation recently, when a team from the Public Affairs Department of Firestone Liberia, visited the campuses of a number of schools in Margibi, Bong and Nimba counties. The team, which was headed by the Public Affairs Manager of the company, Mr. G. Rufus Karmorh, on Wednesday, June 13, 2012, made its first stop on the campus of the Lango Lippaye High School in Kakata, Margibi County, where members of the team were met upon arrival by the County Education Officer of Margibi, Mr. William F. Gizi and other faculty members of that institution.
Mr. Gizi later led the team on the campus of the George V. Gibson United Methodist High School, where a joint assembly was held with faculty members and students of the two schools. During the assembly, CEO Gizi expressed thanks and appreciation to the Management of Firestone Liberia for taking the news of the opening of the application process for this year’s scholarship beyond its concession area thereby affording hundreds of young Liberians the opportunity to take advantage of this educational adventure. Mr. Gizi further encouraged the students to be studious if they are to meet the goals they have set for themselves, emphasizing that “Put in more time to your studies so that you can be among the great future builders of this country.”
When Mr. Karmorh formally announced the opening of the application process for the company’s scholarship program for the 2012/2013 academic year. He informed the students that Firestone Liberia continues to champion its corporate social responsibility in the country. He also disclosed that Firestone believes that school is the best place for children, noting that “You have made the best decision for yourselves by being in school and you must remain in school for a better future”.
Still in Margibi County, members of the team later made a brief stopover on the campus of the SDA Konola Academy, where they were received by Principal Rebecca D. Yealu, who expressed happiness that such valuable information for the application process could be taken to students of her school. Madam Yealu used the occasion to praise Firestone Liberia for its numerous contributions to the overall development of Liberia, especially in the area of education. She assured that qualified students in SDA will definitely take advantage of the opportunity being provided by Firestone Liberia by applying to the Scholarship Committee.
The team then continued on to Bong County with a stopover on the campus of the Cuttington University in Suacoco to hold an interactive forum with beneficiaries of the Firestone Liberia Scholarship Program enrolled at that prestigious institution of higher learning. Mr. Karmorh seized the opportunity to thank the scholarship beneficiaries for the discipline exhibited thus far and called on them to continue to be studious and maintain their grade point average in order to remain holders of the scholarship.
Then on Thursday, June 14, 2012, the team was met upon arrival on the campus of the Suacoco Central High School by its Principal, Mr. Harvey Sammie, who expressed delight that Firestone Liberia continues to invest in the human resource development of Liberia through the provision of scholarships to deserving Liberian students. He called on students of the school to take advantage of the scholarship program. For his part, Mr. Karmorh told the students about how some of their colleagues have in the past made use of the scholarship program to further their education at all levels. According to Mr. Karmorh, though education is not the guarantee for success, but it serves as a form of protection or cushion against abject poverty, and can better the life of the achiever in the future. Other schools visited in Bong County by the Public Affairs team of Firestone Liberia were the Phebe Community Lutheran High School in Suacoco District, the St. Martin’s Catholic High School in Gbarnga and the Nyakoi Bee Elementary and Junior High School in Palala, along the Gbarnga/Ganta Highway, where Principals John Kolleh, Benjamin R. Darvine, P.Kohnkahn Cole and the students expressed appreciation to the company for taking time off to reach out to schools in areas other than the concession area of Firestone Liberia. The three school administrators assured that they will help in the process of spreading the news of the company’s Scholarship Program to other schools.
In Nimba County, the team made its first stopover on the campus of the Nimba County Community College in Sanniquellie, where members were welcomed by Dr. Yah Doniah Gonway-Gono, President of the newly established community college. Dr. Gonway-Gono also expressed gratitude to Firestone Liberia for the provision of scholarships to deserving young Liberians to advance themselves and in the future make meaningful contributions to the growth and development of the country. The team’s trip was climaxed in the mountainous town of Yekepa, where the Superintendent of Schools of Arcelor Mittal, Mr. Peter Zuagar, II, received members. Mr. Zuagar was especially happy about the achievements Firestone Liberia has made and continues to make in the educational sector of the country through its school system and expressed the hope that the two companies can open an avenue wherein notes would be exchanged between both institutions on educational matters.
On Friday, June 15, 2012, Mr. Karmorh and fellow teammates visited the campus of the ABC University and met with some administrators and students. During the team’s stay on that beautiful campus, the students were excited about the news of the Firestone Liberia’s Scholarship Program and expressed their willingness to venture into the program. Similar sentiments were expressed by Mr. Karmorh on the campuses of the Arcelor Mittal and the Catholic Carroll High Schools.
Mr. Karmorh further stressed that the two educational institutions are in the business of developing the minds of Liberians who will contribute meaningfully to national development and various spheres of life. The Firestone Liberia Public Affairs boss also thanked the students for their decision to be a part of that educational forum. Mr. Karmorh noted that “It is therefore worthy of all of you for the decision you have taken among other pressing alternatives to be here and listen to this worthy educational forum.” He told the students that Firestone continues to champion quality education in Liberia; and further informed the gathering about the tremendous progress the company is making in the rebuilding process of its school system, which was destroyed along with much of the country’s infrastructure during Liberia’s civil war.
According to Mr. Karmorh, the Firestone Scholarship Program provides tuition for deserving students throughout the country to attend primary, secondary or undergraduate institution of their choice, pinpointing that more than 100 scholarships were awarded during the 2011/2012 school year. He stressed that “These scholarships are a significant part of the company’s educational initiatives.” He praised beneficiaries of the Firestone Liberia Scholarship Program, whom according to Mr. Karmorh, are assiduously doing well at various schools and universities. “I am respectfully pleased to entreat and encourage you to take advantage of this golden opportunity in order to enhance your dream of quality education.” Mr. Karmorh told the students.
The Public Affairs boss of Firestone Liberia further reminded the student populace of the various schools he visited that they must be focused and studious in their academic sojourn if they are to obtain and maintain the scholarship as beneficiaries; emphasizing that “only those with such enviable virtues can become and remain beneficiaries.” The Firestone scholarship program is aimed at benefiting deserving Liberian students throughout the country.
Meanwhile, the team is expected to travel to Buchanan, Grand Bassa County on a similar mission.
