Angry group of Liberians protest here peacefully, calling on the Government of Liberia to immediately revoke the national accreditation of the American-operated charity More Than Me (MTM) Academy and its management of schools under the Liberia Education Advancement Program (LEAP) of the Ministry of Education.
According to the protestors, they remain deeply troubled by the horrid report titled ‘’Unprotected” released by Propublica and Time Magazine on Thursday, October 11, 2018, which detailed horrific incidents of rape, sexual abuse and exploitation of Liberian children under the care of MTM.
Reading a statement on Thursday, 18 October in Monrovia, Ms. Wilhelmina M. Cooper says they are in solidarity with survivors from the incident and are concerned about their wellbeing, given the public attention of these allegations.They call on the Government of Liberia to take appropriate measure to prioritize and ensure the safety and wellbeing of girls from MTM which may or may not include their temporary relocation.
At the same time the protestors also call on the government to reassign all 19 public schools under the management of MTM Academy, institute healthcare and psychosocial counseling for those students, and calls for the appointment of a Trustee (s) to take More Than Me Academy inaugural school on Ashmun Street, which is at the center of these allegations, adding, “This should include relocation of the school given circumstance around ownership and the stigma associated with the current coverage.”
They also demand the establishment of an Independent Trust of funds raised by MTM to cover school fees, uniforms, feeding, transportation stipend, and or medical costs for all the students at MTM inaugural school through their graduation from high school.
The protestors demand the MTM makes available key documentation as part of investigation to ascertain what actions were taken by MTM and its Board to curb further exposure of those girls to danger.
“We remain prepared to hold the government accountable in the event that no action is taken to protect these girls and ensure access to justice and adequate care and support”, the statement reads.
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By Bridgett Milton–Editing by Jonathan Browne
