WMU
WMU will be donating about $35,000 to the Ricks Institute to help fund meals for its boarding school students. Photo courtesy of WMU.
National WMU and the WMU Foundation provided grants from the HEART (Humanitarian Emergency Aid for Rebuilding Tomorrow) Fund to assist Liberia as it recovers from the Ebola crisis. A total of $44,000 went toward reopening Liberian schools Feb.16.
“Schools have been shut down for seven months,” said Dr. Olu Menjay, principal of Ricks Institute. “This gift ignites renewed hope in a seemingly hopeless situation.”
Ricks Institute, a Baptist school in Liberia that serves more than 600 children in kindergarten through high school, will receive $35,000 of the HEART Fund grant to provide meals for its boarding school students. The Marla Corts School and the Dellanna O’Brien School, both located in rural Liberian villages, will receive $9,000 to help them comply with new safety protocols designed to control the spread of disease. All schools will be required to use chlorinated water and soap, monitor temperatures using thermometers, and wear uniforms that leave less skin exposed.
The number of Ebola cases has significantly declined in recent weeks, leading the Liberian government to reopen schools. More than 3,500 Liberians have died from Ebola since the outbreak began last year. Many families faced unemployment and a desperate hunger crisis. Reopening schools is a significant step in moving forward after Ebola.
For more information, visit wmufoundation.com. WMU is located at 100 Missionary Ridge off U.S. 280.
