On behalf of all those who will have the benefits of a new Liberian Library and Community Center (the LLC), the Rotary Club of Monrovia is reaching out to individual Rotarians and clubs to come together, to enable us to dedicate and maintain within the LLC, a Rotary Reading Room. We are almost halfway to raise USD 50,000 to have displayed on a permanent basis the ethics of Rotary and areas of focus. In addition, it is planned to have reference materials on our 7 areas of focus. This has been the dream for over a decade of Leo Johnson (a Liberian refugee and now a Rotarian in Canada). The RC of Monrovia has endeavored, with others, to make this dream come true. Leo's story was featured in the Sep 2022 Rotary Magazine (see p. 48, https://fliphtml5.com/pklp/luuu)
To donate: https://empowermentsquared.
-submitted by Leo Johnson
The Liberian Learning Center is a complex of three facilities in Paynesville, Liberia, focused on transforming the educational landscape of the region and providing access to diverse learning resources to a catchment of over 250,000 community members.
Phase 1 of the Center includes Liberia’s first postwar comprehensive learning center and library, and serves as a hub for personal and professional development with co-working and business incubation spaces.
Phase 2 serves as a safe and well-equipped indoor recreation facility.
Phase 3 involves a substantial renovation to the existing large town hall conference center to transform it into a modern and multi-functional space.
The Center will be an accessible resource for many community-based organizations and initiatives, empowering them to provide programs and services to the people of Liberian. Phase 1 will host a wide range of programs, including information literacy, educational programming, computer training, life skills, personal and career path development, and peer-to-peer mentorship.The official groundbreaking ceremony of the Liberian Learning Center took place in Paynesville, Liberia, on the grounds of Paynesville City Hall in October 2019. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly interrupted further development of the Centre for a short period. However, the resilience of the community and partners enabled our team to resume work on the ground, following the COVID-19 health and safety protocols of the local government.
By mid 2021, construction began in accordance with environmentally friendly engineering standards and values of sustainability. Despite the instability and supply chain disruption caused by the pandemic, the completion of Phase 1, which is the largest component of the project, is in sight. To date, approximately 70% of the construction has been completed, including structural framing, reinforcement of concrete columns, roof framing, beams and members, and masonry units.
Upcoming Celebration
Empowerment Squared is planning an event to celebrate the completion of phase one as well as to leverage the opportunity to raise funds for the development of the remaining phases of the Center. This event will take place on February 23, 2024 in Liberia. Our Canadian and Liberian board members, staff, supporters, Rotarians, donors, partners, and community members are invited to celebrate this significant achievement.