Gbeapo Geekan Community School

Message from Solomon-- 8/08

2008-09-18T12:02:00.000-07:00

Swen-nyonnoh,

I am very sorry. You will soon get the pictures. There has been a problem since I returned from home. I have been sick seriously. My foot is swelling. I am attending a nearby hospital, but my foot is slow in healing. Pray for me.

Swen-nyonnoh I will make the sacrifice to go home with the hope that I shall get a salary in the future.Government is paying civil servants $50 - $70 now. I will also seek the possiblity of getting on the payroll.

Will you come to Geeken Officical Dedication in December? Everybody is asking me. Give me an idea.

Thank you, pictures are coming very soon.

June Update

2008-06-09T20:40:00.000-07:00

Awaiting an update from Solomon regarding the progress of the construction. Have not heard from him since the previous post.

Victor Helb at the Liberian Literacy Project has included the Geekan school in his project description as one that they intend to provide with wind/solar power. Since receiving that commitment for power, I have secured the donations of another half dozen more traditional laptops to add to the school lab for the older students.

It has now become a matter of transporting the laptops from my home in Seattle to Geekan in Liberia.

More later on how that might happen.............

Novice Blogger

2008-04-25T22:33:00.000-07:00

Let's make the link to the Liberian Literacy Foundation work...... they're a fantastic organization and their website gives you a great feel for education in Liberian.

www.liberianbooks.org

Great Surprise!!!!!

2008-04-25T21:54:00.000-07:00

Computers need power. Batteries need recharging. Geekan is off the grid and presently powerless. A renewable source of power would not only power computers, but would also allow the campus to be used for adult literacy classes in the evening and possibly provide refrigeration for medication from the village health clinic.

I received a phone call from Victor Helb of the Liberian Literacy Foundation. His organization provides educational resources, builds libraries and delivers renewable energy to Liberia. Victor proposed that the Liberian Literacy Foundation install a wind/solar power system and establish a library at the Geekan school. The Geekan people have agreed to make their facility available to the wider community of River Gee county.

Pending resources, Victor hopes to have a team of engineers visit Geekan to install a renewable energy system sometime between December and March 2009.

To learn more about the Liberian Literacy Foundation and how you can help them in their efforts to support education in Liberia visit their website at www.liberianbooks.org.

Message from Solomon

2008-04-25T21:51:00.000-07:00

Swen-nyonnoh,

Thank you again for your effort in getting Geeken on a good footing. We will always appreciate you.

Have you gotten photos of the building? Those photos are photos of the time I was in Geeken. Most of bricks are layed since. We love every idea of yours that will help Geeken on the matters of education. Geeken will be glad to have such facilities like the library, Adult Literacy and everything that will help our people to begin the see good things that our forefathers longed for us.

There is a plan for the Administrative Committee to go home in Geeken. A trip just to thing our people for their untiring effort.

Like I told the Geeken people and I mentioned in some mails I sent to you; I will sure leave Monrovia to go home to stay so that your effort and the effort of all of us not be in vain. As I live I will see to it that Geeken citizens - the youth get some computer training.

Thank you,

Geeken Must Gooooo!!!!

Solomon

Construction Pictures-Late Feb/Early March

2008-04-25T21:40:00.000-07:00

The new school next to the current school.

The new campus.

Message from Solomon

2008-04-25T21:38:00.000-07:00

Swen-nyonoh,

I just returned in Monrovia from Geeken. Much progress has been made on our modern school building.90% of the bricks have already being made.The building itself has been roofed-nice- looking. All the Geeken people send their greetings to you. They say you need to come for the dedication.What you think? The news of the 10 laptops has been received with much joy.

Please send some money for me to be able to develop and print the pictures I took.

Solomon Wolotoh

Construction Update

2008-03-22T19:04:00.001-07:00

Dear Katherine,
I present my compliment and wish to inform you
that I have just visited the construction site of the
Gbeapo Geeken Elementary School on Thursday, 6 March
2008.
Be inform that the entire three units are zinc and
only the kitchen is left. More bricks are available to
start lying. I was too happy with the level of work
done on the building. The contractor told me that he
will start lying the bricks on the 10th of March.

Best regards,
Daniel Teh

Computers Have Arrived

2008-03-22T18:59:00.000-07:00

Hi-
The XO Laptops arrived yesterday. Next I will make sure they are all in working order.

I am currently working on a means to recharge the batteries in Gbeapo Geekan as the village is not on an electrical grid.

OLPC has means to do so, but they have not made those available to such small projects as this single school.

There is a solution somewhere.............

Message from Daniel-2/20/08

2008-02-20T13:49:00.001-08:00

With Compliments am please to give you update on the progress and level of the work on the School Building in Gbeapo Geeken So far.

I visited the site just 10days ago when the carpenters were roofing the building, Of the three units, one was completed before I left. And just 6days ago I was imform that before the 23 of the month, they may complete the roofing with Zinc on the Building.

Preparation for the bricks is on going. I saw the first 800 pieces that were done.

The Contractor assure me if I do go back by the 23 of the Month, something great would have been done.

Again, Kathy, thank you ever so much for the great work thus far, to improve the lives of the children and the people of Gbeapo Geeken.

Thanx
Mr. Daniel B. Teh, Sr.

Note: Daniel is another Geekan community member. He was the principal of the school when I taught at Geekan.

Message from Jerry

2008-02-20T13:47:00.000-08:00

Hi Kath
I just talked to one of the contractor lastnight in Jatoken and told me that the project started now. I even talked to Daniel and he said the whole of last saturday the people of Geeken were hauling sand.
So I guess if there were problem but the project is going on. My self wanted to go and see and at least take photo of it so you can see but no money.
I will keep calling and send you information. This time you can talk to Jatoken through phone very clear.
J

Note: Jerry is another Geekan community member. He was a second grade teacher when I taught school there and was also my "stranger father" during the two years I lived in the village.

February 1st

2008-02-20T13:45:00.000-08:00

Swenyonnoh,

There were some delays by the contractor on the school building. But after some pressure by the Geeken people, the work is going on according to information from home.

I wanted to go on the spot before sending you update. Though we are told that the casting of the floor is going on along with the roofing. Like I requested the last time, I need a good camera to take photos of the project when I visit home.

If you can send help(fund,transportation}, I will highly appreciate it.

Thank you. The Geeken people are working hard and they also appreciate every effort you are making.

God Bless U.

Solomon

December update

2008-02-20T13:43:00.000-08:00

Hi K,

How was the season of Christmas?

I hope it was fine with you.

we did go home this Christmas due to other reasons. we decided to go for the dedication. I t might be in July I am not sure. Pray with us. there has been so many delays.

Solomon

Late Winter Update

2008-02-20T13:35:00.000-08:00

Hello!
I've been very remiss in updating the blog. My apologies! The good news is that there is nothing but good news.

My friends came through in helping me to raise all of the money needed to purchase the computers!!!!! The people of Geekan are thrilled.

The orders were placed around Christmas. I don't have the actual machines yet, but it seems like they are finally on the way. OLPC seems to be having some significant communication and production problems. I'll post pictures when I get them.

The construction of the school building also ran into some delays, but also seems to be back on track. I'll let the messages from the people speak for themselves.

Thanks to everyone for their help and support.
k

Fundraising Update2

2007-12-06T18:30:00.000-08:00

Hello!
As of this evening, $2,775.00 has been raised towards the purchase of computers for the school in Geekan. So a little over half way there!

I have not heard from Solomon for a few weeks. I suspect that they are in the bush visiting family for Christmas and hopefully finishing the roof on the school.

Hopefully, they'll be back in touch soon after the new year.

Thanks for all your help and support.

kathy

Construction Update

2007-11-26T20:52:00.000-08:00

Swen-Nyonnoh,

How is life coming on with you.

Our prayer is that you keep well. Roofing will soon start on our modern school building in Geeken. That spells that completion of the building is at hand.

We want to start planning for coming for the dedication. In other words we are expecting you for the Grand Dedication. Let us know that you will be coming soon.

We will go home during this Christmas time.

We are grateful for all that you are doing for the Geeken people.

Solomon C. Wolotoh
Sec'tary Gbeapo Geeken United Development

Fundraising Update

2007-11-26T15:34:00.000-08:00

Today was the deadline to order the computers. The good news is that the laptopgiving program has been extended until 12/31/07, so there is still time to help.

Total funds in hand as of this morning: $1,700.00

There've been 4 $50 donations, 1 $100 donation, 2 $200 donations and 1 $1000 donation.

I'm trying for $5,500.00 so we still have $3,800 to go to meet that goal.

Keep the help coming!

Thanks so much for all you've done so far!

Under Construction

2007-11-18T22:20:00.000-08:00

Liberian Education Trust

2007-11-18T22:16:00.000-08:00

Here is an organization doing good deeds! Our hero!

We can not thank LET and Deborah Harding enough for their assistance.

Liberian Education Trust

List of Things needed for School

2007-11-18T22:08:00.000-08:00

I asked the Committee to dream big about what they need to supply the school. In addition to furniture and computers, the school needs:

Copybooks
Pens, pencils, sharpeners, erasers
Typewriters and ribbons
Mimeograph machine and stencils
Reams of paper
Chalk and erasers
Textbooks from Liberian Ministry of Education
Rulers
Teacher's plan books, files
PA system
Musical instruments (keyboard, guitars)
Generator to power lights for an adult night school

About Geekan Today

2007-11-18T21:56:00.000-08:00

Demographic information provided by the committee regarding Geekan today. Geekan is composed of two towns Jatoken and Dweken. The school is mid-way between the two.

Total population 4421.

Jatoken
A. Marriages Ages
•Male: 468
•Female: 614
B. School Ages (6-25)
•Male: 315
•Female: 261
C. Ages 1-5
•Male: 254
•Female: 211

Dweken
A. Marriages Ages
•Male: 415
•Female: 703
B. School Ages (6-25)
•Male: 433
•Female: 358
C. Ages 1-5
•Male: 241
•Female: 148

First Formal Email about School Project

2007-11-18T21:49:00.000-08:00

Gbeapo Geeken United Development Association
Bushrod Island
Monrovia, Liberia
May 13,2006

Dear Miss Katherine Murphy,
We present compliments and wish to address our issues through you for an assistance.

The above Organization based in Monrovia has embacked on number of development projects at home in order to restore the Gbeapo Geeken Community to its pre-war status. Amongst the many projects, the Organization has decided to prioritize education and therefore had chosen to construct a Modern School building .

The present school building that was constructed through your inganuity by the American Embassy Self-help fund is now in ruin because of termites(bulger-bul) and heavy storm.

Therefore, the above organization is appealing to you for assistance by negotiating with any donor or humanatarian Organization to help us.

Miss Murphy, Our organization is collaborating with the former Principal, Mr. Teh some teachers, students and the citizens at home.

We are of the hope that a positive result will be achieved.

Thanking you in advance for your usual concern for the citizen and people of Gbeapo Geeken, River Gee County.

Signed: Ruth Teh
Secretary

Attested: Hon. Daniel B. Teh,Sr.
former Principal
Approved: Charles Q. Senneh
President, Gbeapo Geeken United Development Association.

Reconnected!

2007-11-18T21:35:00.000-08:00

The internet is such an amazing resource! After 10+ years, we were back in touch by email. For the first 5-6 years, I only received intermittent updates as the constantly volatile conditions allowed.

Then came the election of President Johnson-Sirleaf and conditions became stable enough to allow people to consider attempting to rebuild their lives. Read more about this fascinating woman leader and the challenges she faces.

Gbeapo Geekan -1987-1988

2007-11-18T21:33:00.000-08:00

I will post a few pictures here from when I lived in Geekan.