A Native Of The Town, Melvin Askie Pays Tuition, Donates Uniforms
SASS TOWN
By Gabriel M C Parker
BOMI, Liberia–Over one hundred parents of school-going children at the Sass Town Public School in Bomi County are today beaming with smiles, after a prominent native of the district, Melvin Askie, generously paid their tuition and presented brand new school uniforms for their children.
The colorful presentation ceremony, which brought together parents, students and school authorities on Monday, September 21, 2026, saw the uniforms and tuition payment officially done through the school principal, who then turned them over to the benefiting parents.
The timely humanitarian gesture followed serious challenges faced by many parents in the community who have been struggling to pay government-approved fees and purchase the required school uniforms for their kids.
Due to harsh economic conditions, many of the parents had struggled for months to keep their children in school, with some children at risk of dropping out.
Speaking during the ceremony, the School Principal, Mr. Saye Dolo, disclosed that the gesture from Askie is not a new promise, but a fulfillment of a pledge he made after visiting the school a year ago.
He explained that during that visit, the native son saw the firsthand situation of some students and promised to intervene.
Principal Dolo further described the gesture as a genuine service to society which is completely void of politics, but rather driven by a sincere need to alleviate some of the heavy burden faced by struggling parents.
He commended Askie for not forgetting his roots and for giving back to the community that raised him, noting that such kindness is rare.
Parents who received the uniforms on behalf of their kids also commended one of their sons for thinking about the community through the presentation of school uniforms and payment of tuitions.
According to them, to see an individual who is not a politician or someone wanting to contest for a political position intervene in such a manner is rare and highly commendable in these times.
“To see someone who is not a politician or want to contest for position to do such a thing is very difficult,” said James Seh, one of the parents, with a broad smile.
He said the initiative will go a long way in helping them financially and ensuring their children remain in school without shame or interruption.
Another benefiting parent, Hawa Johnson, said the comprehensive support covering both uniforms and school fees until the end of this school year is something they will never forget.
“The uniform and school fees is until this school year end, is something we will forever remember and thanks to Mr. Askie,” Hawa Johnson stated emotionally.
Meanwhile, Principal Dolo expressed hope that the gesture will serve as a strong motivation for the students to take their lessons more seriously and improve their overall academic performance in appreciation of the support.