VWCS, churches aid Liberian children

Van Wert independent

Area churches and the Van Wert City School District are working to make sure children in the African country of Liberia have furniture for rural schools through a partnership with the Liberian Children Ministry.

Joe Boway, a Liberian native who now lives in Fort Wayne, Ind., heads the organization, which has been operating since 2004.

“We just want to say thanks, not only to the schools system in Van Wert, but to the people of Van Wert for their generosity in doing this,” Boway said of the donation. “We hope some day they will see how blessed the children in Liberia are to receive these (items).”

The school furnishings, including approximately 360 student desks and chairs, teacher’s desks, file cabinets and other furnishings, were unsold items from an auction held at the former Franklin Elementary School. After being told of the need in Liberia, Superintendent Ken Amstutz and the board of education later decided to donate the furnishings to the Liberian Children Ministry.

The items are much needed in that African nation, which has struggled to recover from a long civil war that devastated the country.

Boway also thanked Rev. Phil Zielinski and the congregation of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Van Wert and Pastor Mike Saylor and the congregation of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Convoy for providing volunteers to help prepare the furniture for shipment from Van Wert.

Rev. Zielinski, who has traveled to Liberia with members of his church to see what was being done with local donations, said the trip was a memorable experience.

“To see it firsthand, and to see the schools that they’re building and the kids they’re reaching, it’s really a tremendous blessing to see those opportunities,” Rev Zielinski said.

To support shipping the furniture, as well as another trip by church officials to Liberia, Emmanuel Lutheran will be holding a chicken barbecue carryout meal from 4-7 p.m. Friday, May 8, as a fundraiser for the project. Tickets are $7 and those interested can contact the church office.