Africa-Press – Liberia. The National Lottery Authority (NLA) has launched a nationwide Back-to-School initiative targeting students who are blind, deaf, or hard of hearing across eleven counties in Liberia.
The program, funded through the NLA’s gaming revenues, aims to support inclusive education by providing essential school supplies to children with disabilities.
The donation includes book bags, notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers, sharpeners, rulers, and other basic learning materials. According to the NLA, the items are intended to reduce the financial burden on low-income families and ensure that children with physical challenges are adequately prepared for the 2025–2026 academic year.
“We believe that education is the cornerstone of national development, and every Liberian child deserves the resources to learn, grow, and succeed,” said Hon. Peter L. Solo, Director General of the NLA. He emphasized that the initiative reflects the agency’s commitment to supporting vulnerable communities and ensuring no child is left behind.
The project is being implemented by the NLA’s Social Welfare Division in collaboration with school administrators, county education officers, and local community leaders to ensure fair and efficient distribution of materials to eligible students.
“Our goal extends beyond providing school essentials,” said Mr. Kamara, Head of the Social Welfare Division. “We aim to empower children with disabilities to access quality education and inspire communities to recognize the importance of inclusive support systems.”
Assistant Director for Social Welfare, Madam Helena Bobo-Dour, led the distribution of materials in Nimba County and other parts of southeastern Liberia. In Nimba, supplies were delivered to both public and private schools that serve students with disabilities, including John Wesley Pearson High School in Ganta and the Christian Foundation Deaf Community School.
Pastor Emmanuel T. Gaye, administrator of the Christian Foundation Deaf Community School, expressed gratitude to the government of Liberia and the National Lottery Authority for their support, noting the impact the supplies will have on students’ learning experiences.
The eleven counties benefiting from the initiative include Montserrado, Margibi, Grand Bassa, Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, Gbarpolu, Bong, Nimba, Grand Gedeh, River Gee, and Maryland. The NLA said the selection of counties was designed to maximize reach and impact among underserved populations.
Officials highlighted that this initiative is part of the agency’s broader social welfare strategy and aligns with national efforts to promote inclusive education. By using public gaming revenues to fund such projects, the NLA says it is demonstrating how regulated gaming can contribute to sustainable development and social equity.
As the new academic year begins, the National Lottery Authority reaffirmed its commitment to expanding educational opportunities for students with disabilities and called on other institutions to invest in similar programs to ensure that every Liberian child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
For More News And Analysis About Liberia Follow Africa-Press
