http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b8/Flag_of_Liberia.svg

In December 2006, I heard Mr. Gabriel

Williams, the Deputy

Minister of Information for Liberia,

on the radio. His passion

for his country

inspired me to do

anything I could to

help.

How the Project Began:How the Project Began:

Mr. Williams said that the Liberian people needed textbooks Mr. Williams said that the Liberian people needed textbooks and other school supplies. and other school supplies.

A few weeks later, I saw abandoned textbooks at my middle A few weeks later, I saw abandoned textbooks at my middle school, Churchill, in Carmichael. I talked to the Vice school, Churchill, in Carmichael. I talked to the Vice

Principal and he told me I could have the textbooks if I Principal and he told me I could have the textbooks if I figured out how to send them to Liberia.figured out how to send them to Liberia.

Liberian schools are being rebuilt after civil Liberian schools are being rebuilt after civil war. School supplies are needed war. School supplies are needed

desperately. desperately. There is only 1 textbook for every 27 There is only 1 textbook for every 27

students.students.

A few months and many phone calls A few months and many phone calls later later Yellow TruckingYellow Trucking donated donated

shipping to Baltimore and shipping to Baltimore and Firestone Firestone RubberRubber agreed to put the books on agreed to put the books on

their ship to Liberia!their ship to Liberia!

The shipment arrived in Liberia on June 18, The shipment arrived in Liberia on June 18, 2007.2007.

This shipment included about 450 history and This shipment included about 450 history and science middle school textbooksscience middle school textbooks

Mr. Williams presented the books to the superintendent of the Monrovia Consolidated School System, Pauline Brown, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Joseph Koffa.

The Liberian government hosted a

TextbookTurn-over Ceremony.

In September, 2007, I helped with a second shipment. I worked with Ray Baglietto, founder of the non-profit organization, Seeds and Toys to the World.

This shipment included clothing, toys, one pallet of textbooks, and two science kits.

The second The second shipment!shipment!

Seeds to the World paid for the shipping and Seeds to the World paid for the shipping and collected the clothing, toys and textbooks. collected the clothing, toys and textbooks.

I found the science kits and, with my I found the science kits and, with my contacts in the Liberian government, tried to contacts in the Liberian government, tried to help get the books through customshelp get the books through customs

The Third Shipment!The Third Shipment!

Last year Firestone agreed to take a Last year Firestone agreed to take a whole containerwhole container of of textbooks from Louisiana to Liberiatextbooks from Louisiana to Liberia

* My school district donated about 3,000 textbooks.* My school district donated about 3,000 textbooks.

* Toys to the World donated toys and lots of help!* Toys to the World donated toys and lots of help!

Despite hurricanes in Louisiana and rising gas Despite hurricanes in Louisiana and rising gas prices, the shipment made it to Liberia last prices, the shipment made it to Liberia last December. December.

The textbook turn-ever ceremony this time was The textbook turn-ever ceremony this time was much bigger. It was even on the news.much bigger. It was even on the news.

Textbooks for Liberia 2009Textbooks for Liberia 2009

There’s a lot of good news so far!!There’s a lot of good news so far!! Firestone has agreed to take a Firestone has agreed to take a

container from Louisiana to Liberia.container from Louisiana to Liberia. The school district has already saved The school district has already saved

10 pallets of books.10 pallets of books. Toys to the World has offered toys.Toys to the World has offered toys. And prices have gone down!And prices have gone down!

2009 Budget2009 Budget

Used seaworthy containerUsed seaworthy container $1,100$1,100

Shipping fees Shipping fees 500 500 Shipping to LouisianaShipping to Louisiana 2,7002,700

TotalTotal $4,300 $4,300

Thank you!!!Thank you!!!

The parent organization (“IBPO”) at my The parent organization (“IBPO”) at my school is my school is my non-profit sponsornon-profit sponsor, so , so any donations are tax-deductibleany donations are tax-deductible..