By: Amb Edmund C. Gbarwee/Nimba D-9 TV/Public Health Reporter/+231778070604/nimbad9tv2018@gmail.com

Glarlay Old Town Nimba County Liberia: – The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG#4) seeks to ensure access to equitable and quality education through all stages of life, as well as to increase the number of young people and adults who have the relevant skills for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship by 2030. Sustainable development is referred to as the idea that human beings should sustain by meeting their basic needs, while also making sure that the future generations are able to meet their basic needs.

This is exactly what Madame Elaine Blanton, Former United Nimba Citizens Council (UNICCO) has and continue to do since 2020 July till now and still counting on.

UNICCO is a community based 501(c) 3 non-profit organization which serves to help narrow the gaps of social-economic disparities in the Nimba communities in the diaspora and Nimba County Liberia.

The primary focus is to help improve the living situations within their communities through programs such as social welfare, mentor-ship, after-school programs, scholarship programs, community engagement programs as well as raise funds to undertake developmental projects here in the diaspora and back in Liberia. Source: UNICCOMN

In 1979, the various State-bound Nimba associations decided to operate under one umbrella organization to be known as the United Nimba Citizens’ Council (UNICCO).

In 2019 December, The Dahn K. Dennis, Elaine Blanton and now Rhode Island District #3 Rep. then Board Chair Nathan W. Biah for the first time introduced a home-coming day program for all Nimbaians in the diaspora called ‘’UNICCO DECEMBER TO REMEMBER’’ which was launched in Gompa City in December 2019 that gave birth to now ‘’UNICCO-VILLAGE’’ that is hosting the construction of USD$250,000 “UNICCO WOMEN EMPOWERMENT CENTER”

“The purpose of this event every other year is to have citizens of Nimba coming home in boosting the economics of each of the cities across Nimba year after another. When a city is selected, we will buy from the market people, sleep in hotels including guesthouses, we will ride on motorbikes and have exchanges with organizations, individuals, friends and relatives and will even by extension buy lands etc. This will help Nimba grow and will equally provide Economic Values’- said James Wuo Harris Former UNICCO National Project Director

The Former Vice President Madame Elaine Blanton is one person who have taken interest in the growth and education of some underprivileged children of Glarlay Old Town that is one of the oldest towns in Zoegeh Nimba County Electoral District Five(5) which is represented at the 54^th Legislature by Rep. Samuel G. Kogar.

Since 2020 July when COVID-19 pandemic has held the globe thus creating situation of deaths and taking almost everything from everyone globally, Madame Blaton started to fully provide scholarships for ten (10) students at the Dankuan Memorial Public School eight (8) of whom are females while two(2) males.

Since 2020 July till now, all sponsored students are in school and progressing very well with their academy activities with at least three of them who have graduated from the school and now attending J.W. Pearlson High School in Gompa City Nimba County with full support coming from the Former Vice President.

Those students concern under this program by the Former Vice President are: Giftee Cooper now in 8^th grade at the J.W. Pearlson High School in Gompa City including Alecia Otis-8^th grade while the others are, Emmanuel Yanzee-7^th grade in Bahn, Blessing Wilson-6th^th grade in Dankuan Public School in Glarlay Old Town including George Mahmie-6^th grade, Linda Mahn the dux of last academic year with 88% Avearge-2^nd grade, Loretta Tiatune-1^st grade, Blessing Kotuah-1^st grade and Etta mahn-K-1 respectively.

2022-2023 academic year one tuition was paid, in Glarlay Old Town on February 11, 2023 and the Principal of the school Mr. Frederick Blim appreciated Madame Blanton for her continues support which is having many students to now start to attend the Dankuan Public School unlike before and he’s appealing to the Former Vice President to increase the number of students. He also called on Madame Blanton including all well-meaning citizens to help improve the seating capacities of the students.

For his part, The Parents Teachers Association (PTA) Chair Mr. James Menwon appreciated Madame Blaton and pray that God continue to provide for her in doing more while parents of the students and the town youth chair appreciated the Former UNICCO Vice President for her support.

Two hundred and fifty United States Dollars (USD$250) has always been provided as way of providing tuition, extra fees, provisions of stipends for some of the students mainly for those in Gompa City including the purchase of mobile phones, copy books and book bags. She has also not just paid tuition fees but also provided rent for some of the students.

“I am excited that these efforts are changing lives and we are committed in serving our communities. We are equally pleased to have you Amb Edmund Gbarwee in Liberia in helping us serve. It is hard to find good people but since 2019 you and your team at Nimba D-9 TV have proven to be one of the best and if not the best in Liberia and we together will continue to serve in helping to implement the SDGs by 2030. To the students the fact that since we all started to work together for your growth since 2020 till now and that you are all doing well, God will continue to provide in supporting you and will add the number of students by July 2023 for the September 2023 school year. I will continue to fully support the leadership of the current President Gee and the team because our county is all that we have and we all have to see it as important.’’. Said Madame Elaine Blanton

United Nimba Citizens Council (UNICCO) is currently undertaking USD$250,000 Women Empowerment Center six(6) kilometers on the Gompa-Gbarnga highway, A UNICCO-Park to be constructed in Tappita with several support to the county health team of Nimba, support to Nimba County Sports, support to the county education sector and the highest donor for the fight against COVID-19 with USD$14,000.

Currently UNICCO is headed by a very hard working and courageous personality President Samuel T. Gee known on Facebook as Samuel Wogbeh Gee and Rev. Nixon Zor as Board Chair.

This year UNICCO DECEMBER TO REMEMBER 2023 will be held in Saclepea City Nimba County as President Gee including sons and daughters of Nimba county are gearing up for this event as way of giving back to the county and its people through serials of different community initiatives.