By Henry B. Gboluma | Gbarpolu County
The BAO CHICO Resources Liberia Limited has launched a three‑year education program valued at US$240,000. The initiative, unveiled on August 22 at Bopolu City Hall, promises to expand access to schooling, vocational training, and higher education for students across Gbarpolu County while offering stipends to volunteer teachers.
Under the program, US$80,000 will be disbursed annually for the first three years, fulfilling part of the company’s obligations under its 25‑year Mineral Development Agreement signed with the Government of Liberia in 2022. Company officials described the initiative as a cornerstone of their commitment to human capacity building and community development.
A total of 96 students will benefit during the 2026/2027 academic year, alongside 45 volunteer teachers who will receive stipends. At the senior secondary level, 28 students will be supported, while eight private school students will receive assistance with fees and registration. Twenty public school students will be covered for tuition, transportation, and learning materials. Applicants must maintain an average of at least 90 percent to qualify.
The program also targets technical and vocational education, with 40 students set to receive six‑month training packages. Twenty‑eight will specialize in heavy‑duty driving — complete with lodging, transportation, and driver’s licenses upon graduation — while 12 others will pursue diverse TVET programs.
At the university level, 16 students will receive bachelor’s degree support. Six private university students will be funded for 15 credits per semester, while 10 public university students will benefit from tuition, transportation, and materials. Beneficiaries must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.
The program extends to graduate studies, offering support to 12 master’s degree candidates. Six students enrolled in Liberian institutions will receive 60 percent coverage for credits and registration fees, while six others pursuing international engineering programs in Uganda, Rwanda, or Ghana will enjoy full scholarships through graduation.
Applications opened on August 25 and will close on September 5, 2026. Forms are available at the Gbarpolu County Resource Center in the Promised Land Community, Bopolu City. Oversight will be managed by the BAO CHICO Education Program Implementation Unit, headed by Program Administrator Dr. Samuel Kortu Nelson Sr.
Officials emphasized that the program is designed not merely as charity but as a strategic investment in Liberia’s future workforce. “This initiative reflects our commitment to building human capacity and expanding access to quality education in Gbarpolu County,” the company stated.
With its sweeping scope — spanning secondary, vocational, university, and graduate levels — Bao Chico’s US$240,000 education drive stands as one of the most ambitious corporate‑backed interventions in Liberia’s recent history, offering hope and opportunity to a new generation of learners.
