The Public Diplomacy Section at the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia on Monday(April 29, 2024) paid a courtesy visit to the office of the Foundation for Research, Education, and Empowerment (FREE Liberia) in Congo Monrovia.
The visit among other things was aimed at partnering with FREE Liberia in creating opportunities that will help boost the workings of the Organization. The CEO of FREE Liberia, Dr. Charles Gbollie is a two-time beneficiary of the prestigious U.S. Exchange programs, the Mandela Washington Fellowship, and the International Visitor Leadership Program, which has helped to enhance his leadership skills and networking abilities.
The FREE Liberia boss who is also the founder of the not-for-profit organization welcomed the U.S. Embassy team to its Congo Offices and outlined the progress of the institution and plans for the future.
Dr. Gbollie pointed out that Research is very key in making necessary interventions intended to drive policies for the betterment of the country. He said the institution was birthed in 2015, with some young Liberians coming together to help solve some of the problems Liberia is faced with.
Dr. Gbollie maintains that one of the key problems is research.
“We make intervention before we start thinking if the intervention will work and this is sad and we need to change this.” Dr. Gbollie noted.
According to the FREE Liberia boss, Liberia needs to have evidence that will enable the Country to make the right interventions something he pointed out that FREE-LIBERIA is passionate about and remains committed to working in ensuring that such a challenge is addressed.
The Liberian educator also highlights the lack of quality education as another problem he observed within the Country.
“We have seen the performances of learners over time, the U.S. government through USAID has been doing so many interventions in education, yet our learning outcome is still low. FREE Liberia is also intervening in quality education”, He said.
The Chief Executive Officer of FREE Liberia also stressed Youth Empowerment as one of the focus areas of the Foundation of Research, Education, and Empowerment (FREE Liberia)
“I personally have so much passion for young people, because when they look at us they see hope, so we do lots of things around youth focus empowerment.” Dr. Gbollie told the U.S. Embassy team. FREE Liberia he further informed his guests is involved with other transformative and empowerment-related programs and projects, FREE Liberia School of Value and Success.
During the interactive session on Monday, April 29, 2024, the FREE Liberia boss emphasized to the embassy team the significance of the School of Value and Success to his institution.
He said the school is engaged with specialized pieces of training in values and at the same time giving out learning packages aimed at showing students the way to become successful in life.
“We have students here from high school level, undergraduate, and master level respectively.” He said.
FREE Liberia is also making an impact through seminars, Trauma Healing Conferences, training of teachers and school administrators, consulting for international organizations among others”, he noted.
Meanwhile, the Public Engagement Specialist of the U. S. Embassy, Brandi Bennett who led the delegation applauded the FREE Liberia team for the level of work they have done and continues to do for the nation and its people.
She said their doors are opened to the FREE Liberia team aimed at supporting the works of the institution.
According to Madam Bennett, U.S. Embassy facilities around the country are available to FREE Liberia Team. “We have spaces at the U.S. Embassy, Kakata, Zorzor, and Zwedru that you can use for some of your training if you are going out of Monrovia or at the Embassy, Just send us an email to make the necessary arrangement”, she noted.
The US Embassy official promised the Embassy’s commitment to supporting and empowering the works of FREE Liberia.
She encouraged the young people especially those to benefit from FREE- Liberia programs to make maximum use of their facilities concerning free Wi-Fi and other internet services.
The placement of FREE Liberia’s newsletter in the Embassy library as well as applying for upcoming grants at the U. S. Embassy are among additional support and assistance to the youth education and research-based empowerment group.
