Project 2 – Liberia, March–May 2006

The Problem
There is virtually no schooling in Liberia as a result of a breakdown in government services during the 15 year civil war in which 250,000 people died. Thanks to the remarkable efforts of Amadu Sarnor, Brewerville School kept going even through the most difficult periods of violence. But facilities are very run down for the 400+ students.

Brewerville school classroom - August 2005

New roof at Brewerville - April 2006

The Solution
Working with a small local firm, Pettico, BII assisted with the refurbishment of a library at Brewerville school in Monrovia as part of a school rebuilding project following the end of the civil war in 2004.

The project has completed its work using Parry technology for roof tiles.

Pettico has since been supported to bid for more reconstruction work and has won a contract from the UN. The Brewerville school project enabled them to demonstrate their skills and the advantages of using appropriate technology.

This project has been generously supported by the Meal a Day Fund.

Update October 2007

Build IT International technical advisor Robin Parker visited Liberia and reports on the progress that Pettico have made over the past 18 months. Robin told us:

The peace is holding in Liberia and Pettico is doing well. The new school at Varmah was completed on time and a small profit made for the company. Up to 50 people were employed at the height of the work by the local contractor Pettico, supported by BII in 2006.

And the really good news is that on the basis of their high quality work, Pettico has been awarded a category ‘D ‘ contractor certificate. This allows them to bid for work up to the value of US$500,000. Critically, the local bank knows and trusts making pre-project financing easier.

New school in Liberia

Robin Parker and James Peters of Pettico

We look forward to further news from Pettico.

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