The First Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, (IMF), Mr. John Lipsky on February 15, 2010 paid a courtesy visit to the Paynesville YMCA Community School in Paynesville City, Liberia.

In a brief remark at the school, Mr. Lipsky commended the students for their excellent performances after listening to and observing a number of presentations by them. He praised the Liberia YMCA for the wonderful work it is doing in Liberia to improve the life of children and youth.

Mr. Lipsky presented a check of Five Thousand United States Dollars (US$5,000.00) including twelve pieces of soccer balls and a ball pump and a pack of whistle on behalf of the IMF Civic Program to support the Liberia YMCA during its valuable work in the local community.

Receiving the items on behalf of the Liberia YMCA, the Liberia YMCA CEO Edward Gboe, commended Mr. Lipsky and the IMF Civic Program for their generosity towards the children of Liberia and commended them for their desire to see the kids develop.

Mr. Gboe assured the delegation that the grant will be used to improve the school’s facilities so as to provide a clean and safe environment for the students to learn and play.

He said the YMCA is faced with challenges in supporting five community schools which began as a result of joint efforts by the communities and the Liberia YMCA during the civil crisis.

He said this was intended to increase access of underprivileged children to schools in their immediate neighborhoods, at the time when most public schools were closed and many households could not afford high tuition and fees in private schools.

The delegation included Dr. Antoinette Sayeh, former Finance Minister of the Republic of Liberia, and now Africa Regional Director of the IMF, government officials, and members of the United Nations Mission in Liberia.

Alvin Yelloway