January 18, 2025, Virtual Tea Time Recap
Thanks to those who attended! We had some technical challenges In Liberia and Minnesota, but we made it work. Unfortunately, due to this issue, we forgot to record it. Fortunately, we used our new internet service (the monthly cost is covered by one of our Star Champion donors) and one of the Chromebooks donated last year.
We had two guests—Donna Cannon and Paul Ostrow (also Star Champions), and 20 staff and students in Liberia. Our two co-founders—Kelvin Fomba and Heather Cannon—hosted the event.
We want to shine the spotlight on Ruth Simbah, our first-grade teacher, who used her Chromebook to download educational cartoons and play them with her students.
Introductions
The event started with introductions with their name and affiliation with UDS, and an icebreaker, “What is your hope for 2025?” Three themes arose from their hopes as follows:
Peace and unity.
Opportunity for others.
UDS growth and expansion.
The event featured 15 of the 40 recipients of the Ishmael Gabbidon Memorial Scholarship fund. The remaining recipients will be named at the January 19, PTA (Parent Teacher Association) meeting. Also, we had four staff and one alum. All participants are listed below.
Everlyne Washington, 10th grade & age 18, Event Decoration
Emmanual E. Nimely, 11th grade & age 18, Electrician
Faith N. Sarway, 7th grade & age 13, Event Decoration
Favor D. Morwu, 10th grade & age 16, Event Decoration
Ensezer L. Somah, 11th grade & age 18, Cosmetology
Jessica Parker, 11th grade & age 16, Computers
Kadiatu Jalloh, 8th grade & age 17, Computers
Wisdom Z. Jallah, 8th grade & age 13, Computers
Abraham A. Yeah, 10th grade & age 18, Electrician
Emmanuel K. Konneh, 7th grade & age 13, Computers
Gabriel A. Johnson, 7th grade & age 17, Computers
Marthaline Yarpah, 9th grade & age 17, COmputers
Angel F. Wilson, 8th grade & age 15, Computers
Aloysious Fahnbulleh, 9th grade & age 17, Computers
Blessing Kangar, 9th grade & age 14, Cosmetology
Ayo Dee Richardson, High School Teacher
Ruth Simgbah, 1st Grade Teacher
Emmanuel Duwah, Cosmetology Instructor
Godfrey Solomon, Academic Vice Principal
Janet Johnson, 2023 Cosmetology and Electrician Graduate
Fred Gibson, Assistant Administrator
Guest questions
Paul asked two questions. First to the instructors, “What are your most important needs?” Emmanuel Duwah answered learning materials and listed examples for cosmetology such as dummy heads, hair dryers, manicure kits, and pedicure kits. Ayo Dee Richardson requested whiteboards with markers or projectors to replace the blackboards and chalk. He mentioned how the latter can be hazardous to their health and messy.
Paul’s second question was, “What do you do for fun outside of UDS?” Ayo said playing board games. Then others responded by playing video games, football (i.e. soccer), and other activities.
Students Questions
Ensezer L. Somah asked if the scholarships would continue. Heather answered yes because the Ishmael Gabbidon Memorial Scholarship to honor his legacy and help others.
Faith N. Sarway asked Heather about her recent UDS Liberia visit when she promoted learning physics. Heather responded with some ideas for online learning and creating a lab. She would research options.
The next Virtual Tea Time will be in April.