Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.—Marian Wright Edelman, founder and president emerita of the Children’s Defense Fund

In Monrovia, Liberia, The Salvation Army Polytechnic University College is raising up a generation of young adults who are impacting the world around them. Liberia is a country that has experienced many years of civil war, as well as an Ebola virus outbreak in 2014-2015. The recovery from such tragic events is long and the people of Liberia are still in the process of rebuilding.

A third of its population are between the ages of 15 and 35, and many of these young Liberians are still without proper education or employment. About one in three are unemployed with many others earning a living through occasional informal employment. 

The Salvation Army in Liberia is working hard to help rebuild and build up the younger generation by providing high-quality education. The territory operates 12 primary and secondary schools throughout the country, giving children the chance to learn, grow and succeed in life.

Although the territory has established itself in the realm of primary and secondary education, 15 years ago its involvement in the education sector began to expand through the construction of its first vocational school. 

The Salvation Army Polytechnic was founded with the vision to not only help youth and young adults continue to succeed in life, but also help fill the human resources gaps in Liberia, Africa and the world by focusing on science and technology. 

Once the polytechnic was established, it began to bring a high level of educational opportunities to youth and young adults throughout the country. In 2017, the country’s Commission on Higher Education accredited the institution, bestowing the right to run tertiary education programs and offer associate degrees in various disciplines. It is now fully accredited to offer bachelor’s degrees and focuses on science and technology by offering degrees in a number of disciplines, including agriculture, business, education, theology, engineering and health sciences. 

In 2018, at the official opening of the polytechnic as a recognized post-secondary institute, Commissioner Birgitte Brekke-Clifton, then international secretary for program resources at International Headquarters, said, “It is my anticipation that this new polytechnic will be a place of inspiration and hope for the future of the young people of Liberia.”

This has proven true year after year as hundreds of students have walked in the doors of the polytechnic as learners and walked out as professionals, ready to be change makers in their country and beyond. A country once devastated by civil unrest is now producing a new generation of citizens who have been prepared to succeed in the workforce. They are stepping into roles that are helping to rebuild their country. 

While the polytechnic is building up a generation of educated young people, it also provides a spiritual environment for its students. As they grow through education, they also grow in their own spiritual journey. 

Dr. Emmanuel Urey, president of the polytechnic, has said, “People’s lives are transformed because when they get here and get the kind of high-quality education they are supposed to get, then they go into the workforce, and we expect them to work and earn money to support their family. But also, more importantly, we want people to come out of here knowing Jesus Christ as their Lord and personal Saviour.” 

The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory has been supporting education in Liberia for many years through the Brighter Futures Children’s Sponsorship Program. Recently, it was decided to fund even more students to attend the polytechnic, so they can provide a better life for themselves and their families. Through the support of sponsors in Canada and Bermuda, a group of students receive help paying their school fees every year. They are also given uniforms, supplies and help with transportation to and from the school. The goal to provide a brighter future has become a reality for so many more individuals because of the dedication of The Salvation Army in Liberia to build up a generation of young people. 

Major Heather Matondo is the sponsorship program manager in the international development department.

Photo: Mark Yan

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