Embracing the future with more responsibilities - Annual Report
To our esteemed donors, partners, friends, and parents,
Over the years, the Hilltop Schools Inc. team has strived to ensure that the children we serve can continue their education despite numerous challenges locally and globally, such as the MTMA Saga and the Covid-19 outbreak. These events have resulted in a significant decrease in funding, affecting certain aspects of our programs. As a result, we have had to reduce extracurricular activities and consolidate management roles, enabling us to maintain a lean budget and providing impactful programs. Our dedication to providing quality education and a safe, nurturing environment for social growth remains unwavering. The school doors stayed open, and the girls continued to learn in a happy and secure setting. So, on behalf of the girls, their families, and all the administrators and staff at Hilltop and the Academy, I extend our heartfelt thanks.
I also wish to inform you that MTMA continues to be among the best schools in Liberia for education, particularly for girls from any Liberian community, including the slum communities. We have continued this remarkable institution with its influential programs, quality education and is transforming the lives of the girls and their families. This is demonstrated by the opportunities that keep arising for the girls to participate in event and other educational activities like the debate, spelling bee, STEM programs and digital learning activities. Presently our girls are participating in training at the US Embassy to become mentors through skills training, aligns with our objective of fostering change through training of young women.
In more news, next academic year, More Than Me Academy will celebrate the graduation of its inaugural class of 12th graders and the advancement of the kindergarten class first graduation. This milestone marks a special occasion for all of us, and we wish you could join us in this celebration in August of 2025. The Pioneer Class, as they are known, consists of 21 girls who have attended this school from lower elementary through the 12th grade. Among these 21, nine are top achievers, with three leading academically. They are Morrislyn Jaffan, Abigail Doe, and Janeba Bass. who have held the top positions academically since the 9th grade. Morrislyn holds the top spot. All 21 ladies have matured into young ladies ready to graduate with diplomas from More Than Me Academy, marking the beginning of a tradition with many more to follow in our lifetime and beyond.
In our scholarship program, six scholars, along with five Great Mind Girls, are in college and are doing well. Academic report reaching the office shows they completed another academic year and four of them have made the honor roll. Seven of the scholars are volunteers at the Academy, setting an exemplary standard for both students and teachers. They contribute actively to the school's event planning, speak at various functions, and represent Hilltop within the community.
For sustainability, we have set three goals to aid our sustainability plan: 1. Obtain a formal agreement from the Liberian government to complement our donors' contributions; 2. Initiate a livelihood program through Aquaponic to raise funds and continue writing grants to augment funding for programs. we are working tirelessly on the activities of the plan.
To summarize, the Academy concluded the current academic year on July 15th and will reopen for 12th graders on September 20th, and for other students on October 6th 2024. We will continue our signature programs in the 2025 school year to include psychosocial support, basic healthcare, nutrition, and extracurricular activities. Please review the report.
Once again, we are truly grateful for your contributions and seek your ongoing support as we persist in this noble endeavor on behalf of girls and humanity.
Sincerely,
Sylvestine Gbessagee,
Executive Director
We’ve prepared a Semi-Annual Report with more pictures, stories and information about our work this year!
Sincerely,
Margretta Smith-General - Executive Director
& Everyone at Hilltop Schools
