The Bishop of the Independent Catholic of Liberia (ICCL) Nimely Jacobkly Donyen has given US$4000 to four prospective graduates of the United Methodist University (UMU).
He disclosed that the amount is intended for their graduation including project fees saying that he offered scholarships to five students to attend the UMU in 2018 but of that number four will be graduating during the program marking the 18th Commencement Convocation of the university on August 30, 2022.
Students who were humble beneficiaries of the scholarships are, Marthaline F. Fayiah, Bachelor of Science (BSc) Biology, Cyrus T. Burwlue including Sartee George K. Tumoe and Bryan Kolubah, Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Secondary Education respectively.
The presentation ceremony of the fees was held over the weekend in the edifice of the ICCL at which time Bishop Donyen gave US$1000 to each parent of the forthcoming graduates and lauded them for what he calls their honest demonstration of the confidence that he reposed in them.
He then indicated that the recipients of the scholarships are members of the ICCL and also instructors at the Cheerful Givers High School (CGHS) that he is presently running, noting that the school is also the alma mater of the only prospective female graduate.
According to him, as a Christian, he considers everyone as the children of God saying that their poor economic background motivated his human instinct to have recommended them to the Compassion for Life, USA to be awarded the scholarships after he had scrutinized their deportment.
Speaking further, Bishop Donyen remarked that the ICCL is a new church so it is a prudent decision to empower members of the church relative to education particularly the youths so that they can be able to provide maximum services to their families, church and the society at large.
“Bachelor’s Degree is a major achievement when it comes to academia for which we are pleased; and notwithstanding, we will appeal for further assistance for them to pursue their Masters programs. I am exceedingly gratified to the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. & Mrs. Strine for providing the graduation fees and other support that the incoming graduates, received,” he added.
The ICCL Prelate told the gathering of family members of the scholarship beneficiaries and others that graduates from various high schools in Montserrado County will soon benefit from the same scholarships.
“I offered 41 students scholarships during their graduation programs when they graduated at climax of 2020-2021 Academic Year to attend the University of Liberia (UL) after serving as keynote speaker during those ceremonies,” he said.
He continued that he believes offering scholarships to the alumni of those schools was good because tertiary education will prepare them to hugely give back their alma mater adding that he also paid the entrance fees and that they wrote the examination, while results are being expected soon.
Bishop Donyen however stressed that he has observed that so many youths are visiting his residence daily appealing for scholarships, so he has decided to increase the scholarships to 100 students for the University of Liberia (UL).
Responding to the gesture, Marthaline F. Fayiah appreciated Bishop Donyen and the Compassion for Life for their support that has enabled her acquire that level of enlightenment saying ‘that has even reinforced her appetite to forge ahead.’
She indicated that her desire is to pursue her Master’s program because according to her, the adage that says, “When a girl child is educated, it can be equated to educating a nation because of the pivotal roles that they play in the society specially in Africa.”
She then appealed to the partnership between Compassion of Life and Bishop Donyen to please continue their support.
Cyrus T. Burwlue, another recipient of Bishop Donyen’s good gesture commended him and the humanitarian group for making an indelible mark in their educational sojourn promising that it will be written in the history of the family’s archive forever.
He said that God didn’t make any mistake by bringing ICCL Prelate and the scholarship funder together because the Bishop is agile when it comes to finding solutions to people’s problems, while the Non-governmental Organization (NGO) stands ready to rescue any individual or group of people when their hope seems to be doomed.
“This is the reason Bishop Donyen has been scrupulously undertaking many impactful projects for the people in Liberia,” he admitted.
For their part, Sartee George k. Tumoe lauded the Bishop and his partners for their support and described Bishop Donyen as their father, teacher as well as advisor pointing out that the scholarship came as a surprise because he was at home when the Bishop called him for the scholarship.
“Our father is a selfless man who is always busy finding solutions to challenges that people are facing without their knowledge which is amazing. I pray that God will continue providing the resources to our sponsors so that the process can continue,” he prayed.
Bryan Kolubah also expressed gratitude for the opportunity that has made them to become recipients of college degrees in the country stressing that it is unbelievable.
He intoned that their advisor has been a perfect liaison for the scholarship program because they did not experience any difficulties during the studies and as such, they are asking for continuation.
