Past projects

LDA's first project was in Danané, Ivory Coast, where thousands of Liberians fled when the civil war began in Liberia 1989. Over a period of seven years LDA built and administered three schools with a focus on education and skills-training for women. Educational services were extended to retired and handicapped women but limited funds resulted in the premature closure of the daycare and projects for women. 

In Liberia, LDA has repaired 15 public schools and handed them over to the government:

• Gbelemah Elementary & Junior High School in Zeanzue, Bong County (twice)
• LASS High School, Yekepa, Nimba County
• Area “B” School, Yekepa, Nimba County
• Zorgowee Elementary & Junior High School, Nimba County
• Solomon Jarboe Elementary & Junior High School, Jarboeville, Sinoe County
• Gbatala Elementary & Junior High School, Bong County
• Gwetamue Elementary & Junior High School, Bong County
• Gbarma Public School, Gbarpolo County
• Kiepla Public School, Nimba County
• Boaplay Public School, Nimba County
• Geilay Public School, Nimba County
• Jebbeh Kiazolu Public School, Grand Cape Mount County
• Fandoh Elementary & Junior High School, Grand Cape Mount County
• Tienii Wondee Elementary and Junior High School, Grand Cape Mount County
• Bamboo Town Public School, Montserrado County

In addition, LDA built Grassfield School and the Technical College.

Danané, Ivory Coast (1994-2002)

LDA School in Danané, Ivory Coast

LDA's first project was in Danané, Ivory Coast, where thousands of Liberians fled when the civil war began in Liberia 1989. Sida provided 80 percent, while LDA-Sweden raised 20 percent of the funding for this project. Over a period of seven years (1994-2002) LDA built and administered three schools with a focus on education and skills-training for women. Educational services were extended to retired and handicapped women but limited funds resulted in the premature closure of the daycare and projects for women. 

In addition to the traditional school curriculum the "Karl-Axel Elmquist Vocational Training Center", named for LDA's first supporter and former Diakonia Federation Chief, was created. Students learned typing, bookkeeping, Business English and household management. The total staff of the three institutions staff of 35 included a school nurse.

In Danané LDA also provided daycare to children who had lost parents in the civil war or came from single parent households. Classes were four hours daily for children between 2-5 years old. 

Moreover, the LDA women center supported 60 women every year. In addition to traditional subjects they learned to make batik prints, weave, quilt, tie and dye, bake and knit. They also attended classes in healthcare, food and nutrition, and working in a cooperative. Several graduates of 1999-2000 class have started their own business in batik printing, sewing and baking. The new business owners claim to be making enough to care for family. 

Gbelemah Elementary & Junior High School in Zeanzue, Bong County (1998 and 2004/05, governmental school rebuilt by LDA) 

Zeanzue School was renovated with the support from SIDA, Radiohjälpen and individual contributions raised by Liberia Dujar Association-Sweden first in 1998. Additional financial support from Radiohjälpen resulted in an annex that could accommodate three classes and a small clinic. During the renewed violence and crisis in 2003 in Liberia, the school building was completely destroyed – as were most schools along the highway. Renewed renovation works started in August 2004 and were completed in April 2005 – with funding from Sida.

Until the end of 2009, LDA was also able to carry a share of Zeanzue’s operating costs (through Forum Syd’s funding). 15 teachers were sponsored. In addition, Zeanzue’s teachers have for several years participated LDA’s teacher training workshops and the HIV program. For 2010 it is planned to continue the cooperation with Zeanzue School in the human rights and democracy awareness raising project.

Gbatala Public School, Bong County (2004/05)

Gbatala Public School, Bong County

Gbtala Public School was completely vandalized during the 2003 civil unrest. From August 2004 to April 2005 LDA therefore undertook a major reconstruction project. Sida funded the reconstruction works. The existing building was renovated and three additional classrooms were built. Resulting, the school building now consists of 11 classrooms, a library, the Principal’s office, an auditorium and a register’s office. In the first school year after reconstruction, enrollment increased to 550 students. As of January 2010, enrollment has increased to 984 students. The school serves to at least 12 communities.

LASS High School (2002)

The LASS High School (Lamco Area School System) in Yekepa, Nimba County is the former LAMCO International School. The School was destroyed during the conflict. In a bid to provide access to learning facilities to the children living in this Guinean-Liberian border mining area, LDA with Sida’s support renovated the school in 2002. At present, the school is operated by the mining company ArcelorMittal.

Solomon Jarboe Public School, Jarboeville, Sinoe County (2001)

Jarboevilleskola, Sinoe County

The Solomon Jarboe Public School in Jarboeville was burnt down during the civil war. LDA undertook a renovation process in 2001 and the beginning of 2002 and worked with the help of community.  

 

 

 

Gbarma Public School, Gbarpolo County (2004)

Gbarma Public School was renovated with funding from Action Aid Liberia. After renovation it was handed over to the government.

Area B School, Yekepa, Nimba County (2005)

Area “B” skola, Yekepa, Nimba  County

As LASS High, Area “B” school was operated under the LAMCO Area School System, but unfortunately destroyed during the civil war. The renovation of the school took place between October 2005 and March 2006. Area “B” School is currently operated by the mining company Arcelor Mittal.

 

 

 

Zorgowee Public School, Nimba County (2005)

Prior to its renovation, Zorgowee Elementary & Junior High School was completely damaged. Located along the Sanniquilie-Karnplay highway, it was looted and vandalized by fighters.

The renovation of the school was carried out from October 2005 to April 2006 by LDA with funding from Sida. The government-operated school is catering to 798 students. Due to the high demand from the community, the annex built with the initial intention to be used as an extension for Senior High School, is currently being used for Junior High School.

 

Keiplay Public School, Nimba County (2005/06)

With a grant from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), LDA undertook the renovation of Keiplay Public School from August 2005 to May 2006. The school was in a terrible condition – de-roofed and with cracking dilapidated walls. As of October 2009, the school with 6 classrooms is attended by 307 students. It is operated by the Liberian Government. 

Boaplay Public School, Nimba County (2005/06)

Again with funding from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the re-construction of Boaplay Public School was implemented by LDA between August 2005 and May 2006. Boaplay is in an isolated position which makes it very difficult for student to commute to a school outside their own community. The government-operated school with 7 class rooms is providing access to education for currently 350 students (as of October 2009).

Geilay Public School, Nimba County (2006)

The Geilay Elementary School was renovated by LDA from August 2005 to April 2006, supported by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Before renovation the building had been completely destroyed during the 2003 civil crisis. Today, the school is run by the Government and caters to 400 students.

Gwatamue Public School, Bong County (2007/08)

The Gwatamue Public School is a community initiative that originally started classes in adobe mud huts. Through a routine projects identification survey, LDA was moved by the challenge the people of Gwatamue region faces and how bravely they addressed their problems. In May 2007, LDA began the construction of a modern school building in Gwatamue. The project, funded by Sida, was completed in January 2008. It was dedicated in February 2008 and turned over to the citizens of Gwatamue for educating its children. The school has Junior High School Status and has 10 classrooms, a library and an auditorium. There are 12 teachers and 560 students.

Fandoh Public School, Grand Cape Mount County (2007/08)

Fandoh Public School was re-constructed by LDA from May 2007 to January 2008. After completion of the works, the school was handed over to the Government. Enrollment increased to 645 students and four new teachers were employed.

Tienii (2009)

Tienii Wondee Public school is situated in Tienii, Tewor District, Grand Cape Mount County. Before renovation by LDA, it had 5 classrooms that catered to 400 students (228 boys and 172 girls). With the support from Sida, LDA built 7 new classrooms and renovated the existing school facilities. LDA also provided 800 armchairs. In addition, a library, teachers’ room, head master’s office, auditorium, water well and latrines were constructed. Enrollment increased to 684, including 352 girls.

Tienii Wondee Public School was inaugurated in December 2009 and handed over to the Ministry of Education.

Bamboo (2009)

Bamboo Town Public school is situated in Brewerville in Central Virginia, Montserrado County. Before renovation by LDA, the school had just three classrooms and only ran from 1st to 3rd grade. It could therefore not cater to all the school-aged children in the community. About 250 students were enrolled, among them 70 girls. With funding from Sida, LDA built 9 new classrooms, while the original school building was transformed into an administrative building.  In addition, a library, auditorium, well with hand pump and latrines were built. LDA also provided the school with armchairs and blackboards. Bamboo Town Public School now runs from 1st to 6th grade. 420 students (as compared to about 250 before renovation) are now enrolled, including 195 girls.

Bamboo Town Public School was inaugurated in December 2009 and handed over to the Ministry of Education.