Back to School: a Fresh Start in Buchanan
Cover photo: our first hair braiding classes in full swing on the school veranda.
The summer holidays are over, the children are back in their classrooms, and I'm so happy to share that the school has had a real fresh start this term.
In my last update I told you about the storms that damaged the roofs of both school buildings. I'm delighted to say the renovations are now complete. Morris and the team worked hard over the summer to strip out the rusted, leaking sheets and replace them, so every child came back in September to a dry classroom.
Out with the rusted roof sheets, in with new ones, just in time for the new term.
We did think carefully about whether to put money into a building we hope to move out of. But even if the new land works out (more on that below), we still need to build the new school first, and that takes time. The children deserve a safe, dry place to learn in the meantime.
Out with the old, in with the new
Alongside the roof, we gave the classrooms a complete furniture refresh. After years of hard use, many of the old chairs and desks were broken, wobbly or simply falling apart, so we took the decision to clear them all out.
In their place, a truck full of brand new chairs and desks arrived at the school. Watching the team carry them off the pick-up one by one made me smile from ear to ear.
Something new: hair braiding lessons
This is the update I've been most excited to share. This term, hair braiding has been added to the curriculum.
It might not sound like a traditional school subject, but in Liberia braiding is a real, valued skill that young women can earn a living from. Learning it at school gives the girls a practical trade and a path to early independence, alongside their reading, writing and maths.
The lessons run every Tuesday and Thursday from 1:15 to 3:15. 25 students from Grade 4 to Grade 9 have been selected to take part, and they practise on training mannequin heads with their own combs, braiding hair and curlers.
After one of the sessions, our braiding teacher sent us this lovely message:
"Today we had another activity for the hair braiding. The students are overwhelmed with such an opportunity in the school. Many thanks to your family for the help given to our children in Liberia."
A promising piece of land
In my last post I shared how hard it has been to find the right land for a permanent school. Some plots were on wet land, others too far for the children to walk to every day.
I'm really pleased to say we have now found a new plot that looks very promising. It is currently being surveyed so we can be sure it's the right place before we commit, and plans for the new building are already being drafted.
If all goes well, this is the timeline we're working towards:
Before April 2027: lay the foundations, ahead of the rainy season
October / November 2027: open the doors of the new school
It's ambitious, and there's still a lot to do, but for the first time it feels like the new school is genuinely within reach. I'll keep you posted as soon as the survey results are in.
Matched giving is back on Benevity
Some good news for anyone giving through their employer: Rilo Connect is live on Benevity again. We were offline for around six months while we sorted out some paperwork, but everything is now in order.
That means donations made through Benevity can be matched by your employer once more, so every pound or euro you give can go twice as far. You can find us here: Rilo Connect on Benevity.
Thank you
A dry roof, new chairs and desks, a brand new skill for our girls, and a real step towards a permanent school. It has been quite a term!
None of this would be possible without Morris, the teachers and, of course, all of you. Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Every lesson, every braid and every new desk is there because of your support.
More news soon,
Louise & Richard
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