BWI dedicates several projects

Partial view of the BWI campus in Kakata

The Booker Washington Institute or BWI has dedicated several finished projects in Kakata, Margibi County as part of its 87th gala. BWI is a technical and vocational institution established by the Government of Liberia and named in honor of the late African-American Booker Taliaferro Washington, who dedicated his entire life to the attainment of education emancipation from slavery. He was the foremost black educator of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The dedicatory ceremony was held Friday, 24 June to kickoff the 87th gala which lasted for three days, ending on Sunday, 26 June with a chapel service. The projects include a garbage pit worth over US$2,500 at the C. H. Rennie Hospital in Kakata, erection of drainage and pavement of the entrance floor of Margibi County Superintendent‘s office, painting of the Kakata Central Prison along with four benches for the prison as well as rehabilitation of rabbit cages at the prison center.

The institution also gave two bags (50Kgs) of rice along with a bag (25Kgs) of cucumbers to the Children Future Orphanage, respectively. BWI Principal Attorney Harris Fumba Tarnue said the institution decided to mark the 87th anniversary very differently such that community residents would feel the impact of BWI in their areas.

Attorney Tarnue stressed that BWI is a national institution, so giving back to the people who support the school is very important to its sustenance. He said BWI is a corporate entity and corporate social responsibility is part of its function, adding that the institution will do more to demonstrate to stakeholders it is working in partnership and together with support from partners, it will move to a center of excellence that is being strived to produce.

The BWI Principal said administration will also work with students in helping to implement projects because they want the world to know that BWI students are prepared and capable for the job market. He disclosed that a team was sent to the project beneficiaries prior to the implementation phase to inquire what minimum could BWI do for them and they selected their own projects which were implemented, putting total cost at more than US$5,000.

The beneficiaries, including Margibi County Superintendent John Z. Buway thanked the BWI administration, noting that this was the first of its kind to see BWI dedicating several projects during to mark its anniversary.

Superintendent Buway pledged his commitment to working with the administration to move BWI forward. Meanwhile, the celebration brought together members of the BWI alumni association, students, government officials, parents and Liberians in general to grace the occasion.

Making special remarks during the indoor program on 25 June, Attorney Tarnue thanked development partners, parents, the Government of Liberia and the student body including well-wishers for the level of progress achieved thus far and promised to work assiduously in ensuring BWI becomes a center for excellence in Liberia.

By Ramsey N. Singbeh, Jr. in Margibi-Editing by Jonathan Browne