by Mondeyesco N. Y. Tulorgbo, Principal of Redeem International School System
Gala Day Celebration Speech
This is the history of the Redeem International School System. Before becoming an institution, the proprietor of the school, Mr. Francis Branine, a typical native-born of this country (Liberia), when during his days of schooling, this vision was pounding in his mind when he watched children of school-going ages playing around while their counterparts were in school. Only in the name of tuition that their parents could not pay is why they were not in school. This situation played on him psychologically and putting himself in the condition of those of his colleagues, he felt depressed and wondered what he could do for his colleagues to go to school. It was a question too hard for him to answer at such a young age. Because of this unanswered question that was posed to himself, Mr. Francis Branine in his child’s mind, and being from an impoverished family background, he was forced to make a vow to God as a secret promise that when he grew up under the watchful eyes of the Almighty God, and God being his provider, he was going to build a school that would bring smiles to the faces of parents who cannot afford the high cost of tuition to send their children to the best school that everything regarding quality education will be provided for the students. Though those who were his friends at the time may be aged out of school, but their children will benefit from that quality education.
With that vision in his mind and keeping his long-ago promise as a child of God, when the Lord granted him the opportunity to travel out of Liberia, to a land where he can make a little money, he denied himself from the purchases one usually makes – big cars, building large homes or compounds and for developing himself personally. Mr. Branine remembered his childhood promise and commitment to God to build a modern school for poor families’ children, but with everything the rich peoples’ school has as well. Not only that but a school that will train the children morally, academically, and spiritually that upon graduation, society will judge them by their characters and their education.
Our esteemed proprietor, Mr. Francis Branine, grew up in a very different Liberia. Meaning, he grew up during the Civil Wars and because of such, he came to understand the true cost of the lack of quality education in Liberia, saying that all children of Liberia need a quality education. It was against that background that he brought his secret vow to fruition through the power of God to build what today is now called Redeem International School System in Holder Estates Community in Kakata.
With the help of God, this project was single-handedly built by Mr. Francis Branine without any outside assistance. However, with God, always being faithful to his children, even when not deserving, He was able to bless our energetic proprietor, Mr. Branine, to reach this beautiful school campus where it is today, that residents of this community can boast of a modern campus with all the needed facilities thereof. It got to be God to come this far. The Redeem International School System officially opened her doors to the public one year ago to provide quality, moral, and spiritual education to the Liberian children, more especially this children of Margibi County.
Today marks Redeem Internationa’s first gala – annivesary celebration. We have lots to celebrate today. Thank you for joining us in this celebration. Redeem International is currently in her second year of schooling, but Redeem International School System appearsto be like a 10-year-old school. Redeem International started with a dream and a vision. Before the Civil Wars, Liberia was making progress – during the Wars, families were decimated. Maybe more importantly, the educational system was decimated. Even though more than 20 years has passed since the end of the Wars, Liberia has yet to “bounce back” to her previous greatness, mainly due to the continued lack of education for all her children.
Mr. Branine has yet to be hindered by his childhood, instead embracing challenges and turning them into opportunities. Opportunities not just for himself and his family, but for all Liberians. Classes may have started in 2021, and while we look forward to the first graduating class in 2024, we must remember that RISS started as a dream long before her doors were opened.
Challenges of Redeem International School System
There were challenges to getting to where we are today as a school. The purchasing of concrete, bricks, many hours and days of working were spent getting here – many dollars that were spent and some not even taken into account. We may never understand or know all the challenges that have come up along the way – but God is God. Redeem International School System was built by His grace and Mr. Branine’s own life; and by turning challenges into victories in Jesus’ Name.
Progress
Redeem International School System has made a significant progress in the period of one year as one of the fastest growing schools ever in the history of Margibi County, Liberia. As the saying goes, for true progress comes from education – education that not only includes arithmetic, reading, and writing – but from a greater understanding of our history of each other, and the ability to think for oneself and make sound decisions for the betterment of society and not just for self-gain.
As a young, growing school with the goal of providing quality education for students – the leaders of tomorrow – Redeem International can now boast of the following: a modern library, an equipped computer lab and an equipped science lab where our students will be able to check samples on a microscope. This means that when the chemistry teacher is telling our students H2O is equal to water, he will not just write it on the chalk board, but will be able to take the students to the science lab to produce water and salt.
Redeem International School System’s first time appearing to the WAEC (West African Examinations Council, the examination board for English-speaking West African nations; certifies education is comparable to international standards.) junior and elementary exams, all of our students came out with flying colors – meaning all 9th graders and 6th graders passed in all of the four subjects.
Redeem International is now constructing an auditorium that is at roof level now with five additional classrooms and three offices for administrators.
For progress, Redeem International School System, can now boast of a future home in Montserrado County, and has already paid for four lots of land for that project. This project is expected to begin in 2024/2025 by the Grace of God. Redeem International also has Bong County in the future plans where we have also paid for another parcel of land for the construction of Bong County Redeem International. Redeem International has been on record for paying her regular annual registration fee to the Republic of Liberia through LRA, of which we have a document to prove. We are classified as a High School under the Margibi County school system. Just that the Ministry of Education still owes our permit due to the delay of processing the permit. Redeem is operating legally with a zero-balance tax clearance. Redeem is making a significant progress and headway. We don’t want to be quick to say it, but in terms of progress, Redeem is now the only school that has the chemicals to produce water, salt, and so on. That is what we know about ourselves, so we are saying it. Secondly, when our biology teacher is discussing cells and their building blocks, our students will verify it in the science lab as well. All we can say is “send your child or children to Redeem International to experience the best of education in reality.”
Redeem International can also boast of well-disciplined students as well as qualified, trained staff that are always on time and willing to teach. In Redeem International, there is nothing called “no good school day.” All school days are good and important at Redeem.
These principles guide RISS leadership, staff and teachers and are being instilled in each student today in order to be great leaders tomorrow. No matter what position in society our students take – from government officials, to being mothers and fathers, doctors, nurses, lawyers, and judges – all of us need to continue to learn and be educated so the next generation may reach new heights.
Mama Liberia will one day rise again to her acclaim around the world, but it is only through education, hard work and diligence, and the guiding Christian values we hold so dear.
We would like to firstly say thank you, Mr. Branine, for being strong and brave in making this dream come to reality. We are most honored for you to be here with us today to celebrate. We know your dream does not end here in our community – but it is to spread throughout Liberia and into far greater territory. May God’s rich blessings and favor shine upon you. May God give you long life, Mr. Branine.
Second, we say thank you to all the staff and teachers here for taking up this light and shining it for others to see. You should be proud of yourselves for coming and not only teaching, but for being examples of life-long learners. Your sacrifices putting in hours of hard work in making lesson plans and teaching does not go unnoticed!
Next, we say congratulations to our community and the families of our students. As we see this first Gala Day Celebration, may there be many more to come. Long live Redeem. Long live the people of Holder Estates, long live the Margibi County school system and its leadership, the county education officer. Long live the people of Liberia. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, God bless you all!
Thank you!
Redeem International School's System 