Father Garry Jenkins. SMA
With
the end of the civil war in Liberia, Fr Garry returned there in July 2003.
He found his Church at Bomi Hills intact, but the school a total wreck.
In January 2002 the school was closed when the people fled in panic or were massacred by the rebels. The young boys were captured and conscripted into the rebel forces and have known only war, shooting and killing since then. When the war finally ended and the rebels moved on, the young ex-combatants were abandoned. So Fr Garry has made reopening the school his first priority.
After many negotiations and meetings, US Aid undertook structural repairs; Scottish International Relief sent equipment, books, stationery etc ; to guarantee Teachers' salaries the Society of African Missions launched an appeal for sponsors to pay the tuition fees for a year (£80) for one student.
News just received from Fr Garry tells us that everything is going very well with the school. It is now repaired and sufficiently equipped to open on 27th September. Staff have been recruited and are ready to go. He has been delighted with the response to the appeal for scholarship sponsors and all staff salaries for the year are assured.
Entrance examinations for recruiting pupils were held on Saturday 11th September. Ex combatants had to take this exam, although for them it was only a formality. 25 boys are already living on the Mission campus. The school will accommodate 500 students of whom 300 will be ex-combatants.
During term time all students and staff will be fed on (and by) the Mission.
This will be a minimum of 650 people, five days a week. The boys will go back to their homes on Friday evening; returning on Sunday evening. Usually this will mean a two- or three- hour walk each way.
At the end of November Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor is sending a representative (Bishop) to visit the school.
Fr Garry hopes to persuade him to undertake the equipping of three classes - tailoring, carpentry and secretarial.
Contact: Marjorie Farrell 870 320 or email African Missions at Holy Innocents.