—“So, it doesn’t matter what folks say, or the adverse criticism unfold on social media simply because I’m an Indian, I’ll by no means cease doing God’s work.”
Enterprise tycoon Upjit Singh Sachdeva has given the Suehn Legacy Circle three million Liberian {dollars} (US$16,900) in constructing supplies to start the reconstruction venture of the historic Suehn Industrial Academy, which was based in 1912 however has been mendacity in ruins because the finish of the nation’s 14 years of civil conflict.
The Academy, financed by entrepreneurs Solomon Hill and June Moore of the Hill and Moore Buying and selling Firm, was a cornerstone of Liberia’s schooling system, educating a number of the nation’s most distinguished leaders, together with former Senate President Professional Tempore Charles Walker Brumskine and former Chief Justice Frances Johnson-Morris, amongst others.
In his keynote deal with on the Suehn Legacy Circle Fundraising Gala, Mr. Sachdeva, generally known as “Jeety,” famous that his assist for the reconstruction of Suehn Industrial Academy is pushed by his deep dedication and perception that a greater Liberia is feasible, with schooling holding the important thing to unlocking the nation’s big potential.
“The best privilege of life is the transformation now we have on numerous lives which will by no means know our names, but will dwell higher due to the influence we had on them,” Mr. Jeety added.
In keeping with Jeety, whereas he’s an “Indian by passport,” he’s “a Liberian by coronary heart”– noting that the reconstruction of the Suehn Academy means quite a bit to him because it carries a legacy that must be revived for future generations of Liberia.
“The autumn of Suehn Industrial Academy means we lose greater than bodily constructions; we lose reminiscence, continuity, and the pathways that join one technology to the following,” Sachdeva stated on the Fundraising Gala on January 9 on the Monrovia Metropolis Corridor.
“On this observe, I’m committing (giving), on behalf of myself, my life accomplice and Jeety Conglomerate, three million Liberian {dollars} in constructing supplies to kick-start the long-awaited reconstruction of the Suehn Industrial Academy,” Mr. Jeety introduced. “This can be a dedication rooted in a perception that a greater Liberia is feasible, and that schooling is the important thing to unlocking Liberia’s big potential. The duty of reconstruction is just not a sentimental train however a accountability, and an obligation to the long run we can not afford to overlook.”
Mr. Jeety additional famous that the best privilege of his life is the transformation he has on numerous lives which will by no means know his title, “but will dwell higher due to the influence we had on them.”
The donation by Mr. Jeety, which was the very best fund the Suehn Legacy Circle raised, can go a good distance in rebuilding a number of the ruins of the Suehn Industrial Academy that are nonetheless standing robust. It comes as constructing supplies stay costly, making the in-kind donation vital in reconstruction efforts.
Whereas Jeety’s donation was not matched, the Minister of International Affairs, Sara Beysolow-Nyanti, on behalf of herself and siblings, pledged US$5,000 to the restoration effort, making her the second highest donor, bringing the whole funds dedicated to a little bit over US$23K.
The restoration effort of the Suehn Academy goals to return the college to operational standing, fairly than preserving it merely as a historic monument. Organizers consider the college may as soon as once more present character-based schooling grounded in self-discipline and compassion for future generations of Liberians to return.
In remarks earlier, LeRoy Boikai, Suehn Legacy Circle, famous that Suehn’s historical past is just not certainly one of non-public reminiscence however nationwide inheritance, deserving nationwide consideration.
Dr. Boikai added that Liberia stands at a second when collaboration, shared accountability, and long-term funding in schooling are important, noting that rebuilding the Suehn Industrial Academy gives a strategic alternative to revive what already carries belief, identification, and legacy.
“This night marks greater than a fundraising occasion,” he stated. “It marks the launch of a restoration pathway grounded in partnership, transparency, and collective nationwide curiosity.”
The gala ended with tributes paid to people whose lives embodied Suehn Industrial Academy’s enduring values. These honored in memoriam had been Mrs. Victoria A. Tolbert, celebrated for strengthening Christian schooling and Baptist colleges throughout Liberia; Rev. Dr. E. Torma Reeves, a pillar of Baptist management and historic Windfall Baptist Church; and Mrs. Dinah Brown-Barr, a trailblazing dwelling economist whose work superior household life and vitamin.
Others had been Rev. Gbessi W.F. Kemah, remembered for compassionate ministry at Suehn Mission; and Hon. Ballah Okay.M. Davis, a revered educator and statesman instrumental in Suehn’s later years.
The honorees additionally included the late Mrs. Agnes Nebo Von Ballmoos, acknowledged for preserving Suehn’s legacy nationally and internationally, and Cllr. Charles W. Brumskine, cited for shaping Liberia’s fashionable democratic discourse.
In the meantime, Jeety has challenged the Suehn Legacy Circle to do no matter they will to make sure that, by 2026, sensible good points may be seen within the reconstruction of the Suehn Industrial Academy, with ribbons being reduce to some buildings.
Mr. Jeety reminded the alumni of the Suehn Academy that if they’re refusing to simply accept that the historical past of the college will die in ruins fairly than be restored, everybody no matter their earnings will be capable of make a donation, be it giant or small, to the reconstruction of the college.
“It’s my hope that, one yr from now, we might be in Suehn reducing the ribbon to a brand new Suehn Industrial Academy,” Mr. Jeety added. “This transformation is feasible and it isn’t fantasy; that is one thing we are able to obtain collectively.”
“Allow us to refuse to simply accept that the historical past of the Suehn Industrial Academy will die in ruins fairly than be restored,” he stated. “I would like you to know that each dedication, giant or small, might be honored, stewarded with integrity, and invested in reconstructing the Suehn Industrial Academy.”
Mr. Jeety famous that in his humanitarian endeavors, whether or not the hot-cooked meal feeding program or healthcare outreach help, he does so as a result of it’s God’s work, not for any glorification, however to manifest the blessings of God in his life onto others.
He famous that the feeding program, which began as a once-a-week initiative in 2017, has advanced since March 2020 right into a day by day program working seven days every week, feeding over 2,200 folks in Monrovia, its surrounding communities, and Weala, Margibi County.
“So, it doesn’t matter what folks say, or the adverse criticism unfold on social media simply because I’m an Indian, I’ll by no means cease doing God’s work. The criticism even motivates me much more to proceed,” Mr. Jeety added.
“As a Sikh, I’m guided by the ideas of Kirat Karō (work onerous to earn an trustworthy dwelling), Nām Japō (meditate on His Identify), and Vand Chhakō (share your earnings and meals with the needy). These teachings gentle the trail of humanity inside me, serving as a information towards a life rooted in fact, equality, and compassion, one which facilities on God’s presence, trustworthy work, and communal well-being,” he famous.
