Monrovia – The Kids’ Educational Engagement Project (KEEP Liberia), through its Promoting Literacy Pillar, has dedicated a fully equipped reading room (mini library) at Barnesville Public High School, marking another significant milestone in its ongoing effort to strengthen literacy development among children and young people across Liberia.
The reading room was made possible through the generous support of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in the United States of America, a longstanding partner committed to advancing educational opportunities and literacy initiatives for Liberian students.
Stocked with more than 2,000 books, the newly dedicated reading room provides students with a safe, inspiring, and conducive environment to read, learn, research, and expand their knowledge. The facility is expected to play a vital role in improving students’ reading fluency, comprehension, vocabulary development, and overall literacy skills while cultivating a lifelong love for reading.
In addition to supporting literacy efforts, Mount Pleasant Baptist Church donated five HP laptops to support KEEP Liberia’s Digital Literacy Program, further enhancing access to technology and digital learning opportunities for students.
Speaking during the dedication ceremony, KEEP Liberia’s Executive Director, Brenda Brewer Moore, expressed profound appreciation to Mount Pleasant Baptist Church for its unwavering commitment to education and literacy advancement in Liberia.
“We are deeply grateful to Mount Pleasant Baptist Church for partnering with us to invest in the future of Liberia’s children. This reading room is more than just a space filled with books; it is a gateway to knowledge, imagination, opportunity, and lifelong learning (wealth),” Moore stated.
She encouraged school administrators, teachers, and students to make full use of the facility and to take collective responsibility for its upkeep and maintenance.
“The better this reading room is maintained and utilized, the stronger our commitment will be to continue supporting this institution through our Digital Literacy Program and the establishment of reading clubs that will host regular Saturday reading sessions,” she added.
Representatives of the education sector, including the District Education Officer, the Principal of Barnesville Public High School, and the Parent-Teacher Association Chairperson, praised both KEEP Liberia and Mount Pleasant Baptist Church for their vision and investment in education.
According to school authorities, Barnesville Public High School, which was established in the early 1930s, had never previously benefited from a library facility. School leaders described the new reading room as a transformative development that opens new pathways for learning and academic achievement.
“This is a historic moment for our school. For decades, our students have gone without a library. Today, KEEP Liberia and Mount Pleasant Baptist Church have opened the doors of literacy and opportunity for our students,” one school representative remarked.
The Barnesville dedication adds to a growing number (53) of reading rooms established by KEEP Liberia in schools and communities throughout the country. Through its Promoting Literacy Pillar, the organization continues to expand access to books, create reader-friendly learning environments, support literacy instruction, and foster a culture of reading among children and youth.
The organization has also been integrating digital learning opportunities into its literacy programs, ensuring that young people are equipped with both foundational reading skills and the technological competencies needed to succeed in the modern world.
As KEEP Liberia continues its literacy drive, the organization remains committed to building partnerships that empower students, strengthen schools, and create sustainable opportunities for learning.
With every reading room dedicated, another door is opened to knowledge, imagination, and a brighter future for Liberia’s next generation. “Promoting a Reading Culture.”