More than 60 text books on English Literature, geography, biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics were presented to the management of Sinoe Multilateral High School by UNMIL Sector “A” Commander Brig.-Gen. Ki Abdulkarim in March. The books are intended for use by the school’s library. Sinoe Multilateral High School is the single biggest vocational and technical public education institution in Sinoe County. The presentation of books followed an appeal by the school’s principal Rev. David W. Menjay.

  
Before presenting the books Brig.-Gen. Abdulkarim said shortage of basic text books in Sinoe Multilateral High School posed teaching and learning challenges for both teachers and students. “Addressing such challenges is what I saw as a service to humanity that comes with great sense of pleasure and humility.” He said he purchased the books through efforts he made in Nigeria and Liberia.  He said availability of adequate text books and comfortable learning environment are fundamental to quality education that makes young people productive contributors to society.

 Menjay thanked the Commander for the gesture describing it “the first” since he took over as Principal of the school. He lauded UNMIL military personnel who routinely provide voluntary instructional assistance to Sinoe Multilateral High School and cited shortage of text books, teachers, and logistics as some major challenges facing the school. A computer lab established five years back and equipped with 20 computers can now only boast of five malfunctioning computers as result of poor maintenance caused by financial constraint coupled with irregular supply of electricity.

UNMIL Force Commander Maj.-Gen. Leonard M. Ngondi, who was the Guest of Honour, urged fellow peacekeepers to emulate the gesture by Sector “A” Commander.  He urged Liberians to take advantage of UNMIL’s presence to spearhead development activities in their country as UNMIL will not stay in Liberia indefinitely. 
    
For his part, Military Chief of Staff Brig.-Gen. Hugh Van Roosen said: “Each of our units in Liberia takes pride in interacting with the communities to ensure that education of the youths is made possible.” He said it is not “normal” to see people in uniforms being involved with education in a country. “However, we take it as a privilege that we are able to do this in the communities that invite us,” he added.