afrol News, 16 May - Liberian authorities have been plucking every hole of opportunity to provide education to thousands of its children denied by several years of civil war.

President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf would not therefore stay home and watch children being denied education. She keeps on appealing to the world to come to the aid of her country’s children.

Her efforts have started yielding results, as Chief Executive Officers of RLJ Companies and G-III Apparel Group, Robert L. Johnson and Morris Goldfarb, pumped $100,000 into the Liberian Education Trust this month, a charitable trust created to harness American support for the restoration of basic education in post-civil war Liberia.

Mr Johnson led a 25 member delegation of distinguished African Americans on a business and cultural mission to Liberia last month. This was the first ever mission undertaken by a group of Americans in 25 years.

"In Liberia, I saw a country of hope. Under the leadership of President Johnson-Sirleaf, the government is working hard to create opportunities for all Liberians," Mr Johnson, who is also the Chairman of RLJ Companies, was quoted as saying.

"Providing basic education is critical to the government's success, and I am pleased to make a contribution to the President's efforts."

He also pledged to mobilise support for Liberia at the Clinton Global Initiative last September. This led to the creation and launching of the $30 million Liberia Enterprise Development Fund announced by Mr Johnson on 15 February during the Liberia Partners’ Forum in Washington D.C.

Morris Goldfarb, the co-contributor said described the Liberian Education Trust as the right vehicle to assist with the redevelopment of Liberia as companies look at Liberia for investment opportunities and housing an educated work force is integral to success.

The Fund is a partnership of the RLJ Companies, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, the U.S. Africa Development Fund and CHF International, a U.S.-based non-governmental organization.

"Given what Liberia has been through over the last two decades, its unique bond with the United States and its unwavering support for the United States during World War II and the Cold War, makes the country fully deserving of all that Americans can do to ensure that its future is peaceful and prosperous," Mr Johnson said.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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