Marla H. Corts Mission School 2022 - Flipbook - Page 9
Community Involvement/Development
MHCMS is located in a village where most of the parents were illiterate when the school got its start. Due to the high rate of
poverty some parents were not able to afford to allow their children to attend school. This reality was coupled with the mindset
that children are a work-force on the farm and necessary to sustain the family. This mindset has gradually begun to change.
From the very beginning, community leaders in general had welcomed the idea of a school and often provided their advice and
attended meetings concerning it. They also helped with major construction work on the school campus. After the first successful
year of operation, the results of MHCMS had produced a number of benefits for the community that were consistent with unifying
a vision for both evangelism and social activity. The school:
Provided evangelism and discipleship – All the villagers had the opportunity to hear the message of salvation and were exposed to biblical training, backyard bible study, gradually turning their minds from traditional beliefs (animism, spiritism,
and witchcraft).
Provided economic empowerment – The existence of the school created a micro enterprise of programs for small scale entrepreneurs by establishing agriculturally based economic communities. The school provides a formal agriculture foundation
that aims at job creation for a more self-sufficient, sustainable community and also to produce surplus for the market.
Provided stability for residents – The school became a point of attraction and a symbol of hope. Residents have become
stakeholders and have taken pride in the development of the community. This has produced a desire to stay in the com
munity. Many who had left are now returning because of the hope a Christian education brings.
The Gbaleh Family, From left to right,
Austin (son), Benjamin (Father), Benedict (son}, Favor (Teresa’s sister), Teresa
(Mother), and Rosalyn (Teresa’s sister).
Teresa Gbaleh had planned to relocate her children to
a city that had a school. This was a common
practice. Parents would send their children to a city
simply so they would have an opportunity to attend
school. Teresa was preparing to do this when
construction on MHCMS began. With the promise of
the new school being located right in her village, she no
longer had to relocate her children. Instead she joined
the work crew, carrying sand from the local creek for
construction of MHCMS. Her three boys graduated
from MHCMS and the Dellanna West O’Brien School.
Alvin Gbaleh, a graduate of MHCMS, is in college studying Accounting and at the same time serves as the
purchasing officer and paymaster for MHCMS. They are
giving back!
Ms. Pulah (seen above)
relocated to Dordeneewein
village so her two grandchildren could attend Marla H. Corts Mission School.
Produced indigenous leadership development – By working together, providing sweat equity in assisting the
school, the villagers have embraced the concept of community development and stretched the budget dollars.
Through their participation they have provided essential manpower for clearing the dense land. EGIM has
guided the community leaders in managing the Village’s continuing growth and change through proactive
public planning.
Clearing Land
De-stumping
Carrying Sand
Sand for Construction
