The first project of the “Helping Hands, Open Arms” Campaign*
To view photos of Helena’s trip to Liberia, visit the Flickr album here.
To read about the backpack project in the Liberia Inquirer newspaper, click here.
UPDATE!
May Institute’s Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Council supported the efforts of Helena Jones-Wreh and Fred Mugaga by helping to raise awareness among staff about the plight of girls in Liberia, and launching the first project of its Helping Hands, Open Arms Campaign — the Liberian Backpack Project. The project, outlined below, was successfully completed in March 2014.
A Special Thank You
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
In March, I went on a mission to Liberia to deliver backpacks with educational materials to girls, and clothing and toys to the students of Klay District. Students from 15 different schools benefited from the Liberian Backpack Project. Because of the demand, some students were given notebooks, pens, and pencils without a backpack. The joy and happiness they all expressed is beyond words.
The community showed so much appreciation and gratefulness, that they honored me as a hero. I was quick to let them know that the real heroes were my friends at May Institute. I could not have done this by myself. Your generosity made so many people happy.
On behalf of Daughters of Bomi, the organization with which I am affiliated, the people of Klay District, and of Liberia, I say a huge thank you to all of you for your kindness. You have shown me that we are a family at May Institute. I can never thank you enough for helping to educate Liberian girls and for the many other donations. May the good Lord continue to bless you.
Sincerely,
Helena Jones-Wreh
Revere Division
Our goal: To help purchase and ship 1,000+ fully supplied educational backpacks for distribution to Liberian girls in the village of Klay. Each backpack will cost an estimated $20 and will include notebooks, pens and pencils, rulers, sharpeners, erasers, crayons/color pencils and markers.
You can donate money for us to purchase:
Or, you can give your gift of cash or a check (made out to “May Institute/ Backpack Project”) to your supervisor or the D&I designee at your center or program. Thank you!
Story: The Liberian Backpack Project is the endeavor of two Program Specialists at the Revere Day Hab —Helena Jones-Wreh and Fred Mugaga. Helena visited her homeland, Liberia, in 2003, shortly after a 14-year civil war ended. She was heartbroken to see tremendous suffering, and to learn about the plight of young girls in her village of Klay. Many of these girls were being denied an education and were forced to marry at an early age. This made it difficult for women to access economic opportunities and, for most, trapped them a in cycle of poverty that continues today. Helena is doing all she can to advance women in her native country and promote the education of girls.
*The “Helping Hands, Open Arms” Campaign is an employee-led and employee-funded campaign that seeks to support national and international projects that are of interest to our employees. It is sponsored by the Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Council at May Institute.