The education sector remains one of the least developed sectors in Liberia with some counties lagging behind with only 2 high schools in the entire county, like Gbarpolu County. Many schools lack access to decent learning spaces, teachers, learning tools, etc. and the Small Bong Mines Public school is one of such. The school also only has one teacher, which makes learning and teaching quite difficult for both the students and one teacher.
The Kids’ Educational Engagement Project (KEEP) has joined efforts of other developmental actors and intends to upgrade the school and recently joined the Royal Grand Hotel to do a two day fundraiser to raise funds to help with the construction of a school for the community.
In early July, the Royal Hotel pledged to give 50% of all sales on July 23rd & 24th from its hotel restaurant and coffee bar towards the school upgrade project and on Sunday July 24th, record was set at the hotel when over 220 customers trekked into its doors to patronize this cause.
The two day amazing fundraising event yielded U$4514.60.
Presenting the check of U$4514.60 on behalf of the hotel, Mrs. Helen Eid, Restaurant Manager said that the Hotel is proud to be a part of such worthy initiatives and said that the Royal Grand Hotel, a subsidiary of the Ezzat Eid group of companies has always been a staunch supporter and financier of social & educational empowerment. Hence one of their many projects have included the “Give Back With a Bite” campaign in November 2015 where every item sold from our case-to-go fridge, U$1 was donated to a local children’s home. The outcome was a big success.
She noted that having met Brenda, KEEP’s founder and seeing what she has done with KEEP she felt it was their social responsibility to help with what they could and the outcome was the best they had ever had! She hopes they are able to continue their giving back campaign and to contribute to the empowerment of women, children and everyone in need.
Mrs. Brenda Moore founder of the organization thanked the hotel for the generous gesture and noted that more businesses need to follow this example and invest in good Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities and give back to the community and support charitable activities that help improve the lives of citizens who are in turn their customers or future customers.
She noted that in other countries, residents of a community will often show favor to local businesses who give to charities and support communities. Mrs. Moore assured the Hotel executives that the funds will be used for the intended purpose and promised to keep them updated on the organization’s activities.
Ms. Helen Eid Hariz who manages the restaurant of the hotel also volunteers her time to read to the students as well at one of KEEP’s adopted schools in Paynesville, Montserrado.
Few pictures from the fundraiser.
