Ricks Alumni Re-Roof Main School Building

In October 2009, the Ricks Institute Alumni Association, USA, Inc. (RIAA) donated US$15,000 to the institution. The purpose of the donation was to address the critical need of replacing the decaying asbestos roof of the William V. S. Tubman Administrative Building, the school’s main educational center.

The crumbling asbestos roof was first put on in 1963. The re-roofing project was completed in January 2010.

Upon recently visiting the Ricks campus and inspecting the completed re-roofing project, the Chair of the Ricks Institute Alumni Association, David A. Thomas, accompanied by his wife, Amanda Thomas (an active member of RIAA), expressed his heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the level of development and especially the re-roofing project sponsored by the RIAA.

“The RIAA is always happy to play a part in providing quality education at Ricks Institute. Having a solid and comfortable school building promotes an environment suitable for learning. We are happy that our [association] was able to target and replace the roof of the school building,” Thomas said.

“During my visit, I saw firsthand the aged and dilapidated state of the old pieces [of asbestos sheets] that had been removed. With a tour of the campus and several facilities, it was clear to me that the work that continues at Ricks is laudable.

“I want to commend Dr. Menjay and the staff at Ricks for their tireless efforts in providing the best academic environment possible.

“Despite the progress, however, the needs continue. Our Association, RIAA, will continue to devote all efforts to ensure that Ricks Institute remains the best provider of elementary and secondary education in Liberia,” he said.

The RIAA was founded in 1988 to provide financial and other appropriate assistance to Ricks Institute in Virginia, Liberia.

In September 2009, the RIAA celebrated its 21st reunion by gathering in New Jersey, USA. Since 1992, the RIAA has donated in cash and kind more than US$100,000 to meet various needs at Ricks.

Commenting on the recent gift from the RIAA, Dr. Olu Q. Menjay, the Chief Administrative Officer and Principal of the institution, expressed sincere indebtedness to the RIAA for not only giving back to Ricks but also giving notably to the school’s current needs.

“The recent US$15,000 gift from the RIAA was critical – it saved our main educational building from destruction during Liberia’s rigorous rainfall in the rainy season. It also offered our learning community a safer environment, especially from the health risks associated with asbestos products. The RIAA has remained an affidavit of hope for Ricks and has not relented in supporting the school in guided initiatives,” Menjay affirmed.

About Ricks
Established in 1887, Ricks Institute is a dynamic and comprehensive learning center (K-12) that attracts students from all over Liberia and beyond. Since 2006, the institution remains the only private school in Liberia offering free primary education to its students.

As a community and nationally recognized school in Liberia, Ricks has 606 students, 40 percent of whom live on campus. Additionally, it operates a free Accelerated Learning Program in the afternoon, serving 125 adult students. The school is located in Virginia, Liberia, on some 1,150 acres of land. For more information, visit www.ricksonline.org