The students are showing up and rainy season is almost over. Just like when school starts in America, the students in Liberia are excited to start their new school year too; time to meet a new teacher and make new friends. Unlike American students, however, only those students who can pay for school get the opportunity to go to school. There is no such thing as free public school.  That is why in 2009 EMAUSA started school scholarships, and have always made them a priority. During the EBOLA crisis many children lost both parents, so EMA made the decision to increase their support for the scholarship program.
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In Liberia more than 20% of children do not have access to a school; the literacy rate is less than 50%. Only 28% of women are able to read. You can see why the EMAUSA scholarship program is so important. Getting a job or starting a business without a basic education is almost impossible. 

JESTINA GRADUATES!Jestina Wesseh, whom EMAUSA has supported in recent years, graduated from the College of Health Sciences at Monrovia Bible College in 2022. Jestina is now working at a health clinic in Monrovia.

It's about that time of year. Back to school we go!

Meet Melvin Johnson (pictured here with EMA Board Member Steve Ackley). Melvin just had his last "first day of school" and has one more year left of college! He plans to graduate with a Bachelors in Economics from Stella Mara University next August. His passion is business administration, and he hopes to continue his education by pursuing an MBA in the U.K. or U.S. 

Before attending college, Melvin received a Christ-centered education at ELWA Academy and benefited from our scholarship program. ELWA Academy provides quality education for families involved in full-time Christian ministry and kids in the community around ELWA.

We are thrilled about the future ahead of Melvin. He recently completed an internship with Change Agent Network (CAN) in 2020-2021, focusing on accounting transactions, bank deposits, and other tasks. His coworkers and supervisor speak very highly of his service. 

Melvin lives and breathes Liberia. His ultimate goal with his education is to give back to his country. Melvin represents one of many kids at ELWA Academy and college students who would benefit from our scholarship program. 

🏀Exciting update on the Basketball Court Project:

All funds have been raised for the construction of the court and operation of the Youth Discipleship Ministry in 2024! Thank you for your generous support!

The team led by Chad Winsor will be in Liberia from October 6-20 to complete the project, please pray for safe travel and a successful project.   

Please pray that East International (the road construction company) will help us with compacting the field after the tractor work is finished.

As a sister organization to SIM and ELWA Ministries Liberia, ELWA Ministries Association USA (EMAUSA) partners with SIM in spreading the Gospel in word and deed in Liberia. EMAUSA’s leadership team had a recent video Zoom call with Nicholas Piaget and we shared our hearts for the mission in Liberia. Together we identified many important projects that EMAUSA could support with fundraising efforts in the U.S. to support these initiatives.
Missionary HousingOne great need expressed by Nicholas is for missionary housing. There are several needed ELWA missionaries who are scheduled to join ELWA staff, but at this time there is no housing available for them. Several houses that were built in the 1950s have fallen into disrepair.  These homes must be renovated to accommodate these missionaries. Nicholas Piaget asked EMAUSA to assist in raising funds to rebuild these homes. 

ELWA Missionary Housing Repairs:  $40,000 needed
Basketball CourtEMAUSA had plans to renovate the gym but an inspection report showed that the structure was not safe enough to pursue that project.  Alternatively we have developed a plan to build an outdoor basketball court for the sports ministry.  ELWA/SIM has designated a plot of land on the High School grounds for an outdoor basketball court.  The much bigger project to build an all-new gym may still be developed in the future.  See a report from Meanu Kayea below for more details about how the basketball court will be used.

New Outdoor Basketball Court:  $25,000 needed
ICM Church RoofEMAUSA would also like to continue to support the building of the International Church of Monrovia (ICM) on ELWA Campus. The foundation, walls and roof girders are completed but there is still much to be done including completing the roof. 

International Church of Monrovia on ELWA Campus “Raise the Roof “Fundraiser:  $30,000 needed
ScholarshipsLiberian children continue to receive an education as a result of EMAUSA's support.  
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Scholarships:  $36,000 needed for the 2023-24 school year