HGIS-Monrovia Graduates 43 Students

By T. Saye Goinleh

The SOS Hermann Gmeiner International School (HGIS) in Monrovia held its 13^th graduation ceremony for 43 students from six counties in Liberia with some going on to acquire university and college education while others are ending up perusing entrepreneurships.

During program held at the Monrovia Christian Fellowship Center, SOS Children’s Villages-Liberia awarded the valedictorian a two-year scholarship to any University of her choice in Liberia. Speaking at the program, SOS Children’s Villages-Liberia national director Mr. Augustine A.K. Allieu thanked the students for their achievements thus far, noting that the day was very important not only in the lives of the students that walked out of the walls of the institution, but for the SOS family and the country as well.

Mr. Allieu noted that he feels gratified to recognize the great effort by certain individuals, including parents, care-givers, teachers, and the administration amongst others whose contributions culminated into the day’s event.

“For us at SOS, we feel fulfilled that we can proudly put out these precious potentials after years of teaching, modeling and grooming,” the SOS national director said with happiness.

He concluded by saying as part of encouragement to strive for excellence among young people as well as supporting efforts by government to support girls’ education, the institution honored the valedictorian, Nelly Wende a two-year tuition-payment scholarship to any higher institution of learning in Monrovia.

This year’s graduation theme was “Empower to make the impossible possible’’, inspirational words which are embedded in the fundamental beliefs of the founder of SOS Children’s Villages as he says every big thing in the world only comes, when someone does more than what he she has to do.

In her Valedictory speech, Miss Nelly Wende congratulated her colleagues and told them that their graduation was a culmination of a long and challenging but ultimate rewarding journey. She asserted that they have expanded the SOS vision of ‘no child should grow up alone’. Student Nelly thanked the teachers for constantly equipping them with contents that have challenged their minds to attain that level and beyond.  “I am fully persuaded that SOS passion for taking children from the dungeon to higher height is one among none,” she lamented.

On her part, Lakshmi N. Moore the country director for Action Aid-Liberia urged the graduates to be creative, mentioning that many people fear to fail; therefore, they withdraw from activities that could benefit them and reminded them that lot of inventions today are at the result of trying.

Madam Moore added that the students studied in a unique institution where talents and creativity are nurtured in them by empowering with skills and attributes needed in the next generation of global leaders who can make the impossible possible. She urged the graduates to keep focused and keep trying.