What we do and
Why we do it
We are called From Street to School (Liberia), Inc.
We are a non-for-profit organization operating in Liberia for the sole purpose of helping children grow in a good academic and healthy environment.
We provide underprivileged children with the opportunity to acquire quality education. These are children whose parents cannot afford to pay their fees.
This is done through fundraising from Germany, Liberia, the UK, and Spain.
Additionally, From Street to School helps children know their rights and responsibilities to become good citizens who will contribute to building Liberia.
We do help students grow socially, by building up their self-esteem.
BRIEF HISTORY
“FROM STREET TO SCHOOL, (LIBERIA) INC” is a Liberian Non-For-Profit organization; founded during the Liberian civil war in 2002 to provide education for the less-fortunate children in Liberia, especially ‘street kids’.
It started with the payment of school fees for about 15 students in Margibi county and later moved to Montserrado due to the pressing needs in 2003.
It was founded by a catholic missionary priest, Fr. Anthony Nnmah, MSP, Dr. Thomas Stieglitz (a German) and other precious helpers from Germany. These people started a fund raising project among students at the Pestalozzi Gymnasium in Germany. This continues even today. Some students continue to support with their lunch money, in case of food-selling activities of the so-called Liberia-Ak in their school.
Initially the organization was called Pro Liberia, e.V.
In 2016 the Liberian Organization FROM STREET TO SCHOOL, INC (LIBERIA) was founded and the German one has been renamed FROM STREET TO SCHOOL und GLOBALES LERNEN.
Mrs. Andrea Schaal from Germany headed the organization while Father Johnny-Clement Kombo was the country representative in Liberia. Fr. Johnny coordinated with the support of a few Liberians to coordinate the activities of the students and raise funds for the sustainability organization.
Presently (2024/25), From Street To School (FSTS) in collaboration with its partner FROM STREET TO SCHOOL und GLOBALes LErnen sponsors for more than 29 underprivileged children in different schools, aged 10 to 21, two counties—Montserrado and Margibi.2024/25 we sponsor 14 boys and 15 girls.
Its main regional area is Montserrado County.
FSTS pays school fees and purchases school materials for them. All funds are raised from charity- donations from Germany and Liberia. Besides paying tuition, FSTS sometimes pays salaries for tutors who take care of the academically challenged students.
BESIDES FORMAL EDUCATION WE HELP STUDENTS‘ ORIENTATION WITH LIFE SKILLS. WE PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO TRY HANDICRAFTS AND VERBAL EXPRESSION. THROUGH WORKSHOPS, TRAINING CAMPS AND SOCIAL RELATIONS STUDENTS GENERALLY IMPROVE THEIR PERFORMANCE.
FOLLOWING THE UN- SDGs FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STUDENTS CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR NEIGHBOURHOOD THROUGH BROADCASTING, EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS, DEBATING AND GARDENING. FSTS-STUDENTS ARE USED TO COOPERATE WITH VOICE OF THE VOICELESS, A FREE YOUNG PEOPLE’S MOVEMENT FOR MORE EDUCATION AND LESS FRUSTRATION.
FROM STREET TO SCHOOL students and young adults are divided into four parts –the scholarship students, the volonteers, Pen Pal and several activity clubs, board members and sponsors. The scholarship got two categories – Gerlib Students and ordinary ones. Gerlib refers to late Margret Gieraths-Nimine, who has founded health and youth care institutions in Liberia. Those students make the base of gardening activities, monitored by Varney Koiblee.
Our Goals
1.Ensuring unprivileged students are in school by providing scholarships (tuitions and other fees)
2. Supervising students, regularly visiting their campus, etc.
3. Monitoring progress report, organizing workshops and encouraging Essay Writing Competition.
4. Helping students and young people cultivate the habit of reading
5. Promoting the physical, moral, and mental wellbeing of young people.
6. Encouraging social networking among young people through PEN PAL and workshops
7. Providing spiritual guidance to young people through retreats, annual Church service, etc.
8. Nurturing intercultural relationship between young people in Liberia through the student exchange program if need be.
OTHER INFORMATION YOU MAY SEE NECESSARY–
Informal application for membership and International Student-Partnership
PLEASE ADD MOTTO: FROM STREET TO SCHOOL
I want to support the project in one of the aspects listed below:
· Supporting the students of Cynthia’s Group with tuition\Goods
· Helping to raise funds for the project
· Supporting Student’s exchange through hosting or donations
· Promoting of school attendance through donation of school fees.
OUR BOARD MEMBERS –
. Fr. Johnny-Clement Combo (Archdiocesan Vocation Director, Communication Coordinator)
· Benjamin Kahn (School Principal/Educator) — —— Board Chairman
· Marcus Carter ——————- Secretary
· Varney Koiblee (Educator) ——————————————- Assistant Secretary
· Gbour Wilson (Business Administrator) — ——————————— Accountant
· Joe Gbeie (Voice of the Voiceless) ————————————————- Member
. Sampson Borley (Communication, supervision of sponsored students) ———– Member