Liberia's leader shows her class at local school
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Thirteen-year-old Jacob Rice started his own charity three years ago, collecting shoes for the needy.
He went straight to the top to deliver the proceeds, an opportunity that arose when he learned the president of Liberia would visit his school.
"It's not only a once-in-a-lifetime experience to meet a sitting president," Jacob said Friday when President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf visited Berkeley Preparatory School. "It's just an honor to be in the presence of such an amazing woman who has done so much for her country."
Rice donated 40 pairs of shoes to Sirleaf's country, where families have limited access to running water and electricity. The president discussed her country's struggles and triumphs during her visit Friday morning.
Students welcomed Sirleaf to the private school's campus with bagpipes and a singing student chorus. Sirleaf spent time in a French classroom and at an assembly talking about the path that led to her presidency.
She was elected in 2005, he first woman to be democratically elected president in Africa. Her Tampa connection is David Straz Jr., honorary consul to Liberia. Straz's daughter, Keebler, is a seventh-grader at Berkeley, and he also serves on the University of Tampa's board of trustees.
Straz met Sirleaf in 2006, and they became friends. His charitable foundation has helped rebuild the College of West Africa, which Sirleaf attended.
During her visit, students asked Sirleaf how she feels about protesters and about people comparing her to Margaret Thatcher, a former prime minister of Great Britain. Sirleaf said she supports those who stand up for their convictions and is flattered by the Thatcher comparison.
One student asked why Liberia elected a woman president before the United States.
"Your shortcoming," Sirleaf quipped. "Seriously, the Liberian women seized the opportunity before them."
A different student wanted to know what Berkeley students could do to help Liberia.
"Instead of throwing away your books, put them in a box and send them to us," she said.
Berkeley students and staff donated a collection of school supplies Friday and were making plans for a book drive.
Sirleaf will continue her tour of Tampa today when she speaks at the UT commencement.
Thirteen-year-old Jacob Rice started his own charity three years ago, collecting shoes for the needy.
He went straight to the top to deliver the proceeds, an opportunity that arose when he learned the president of Liberia would visit his school.
"It's not only a once-in-a-lifetime experience to meet a sitting president," Jacob said Friday when President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf visited Berkeley Preparatory School. "It's just an honor to be in the presence of such an amazing woman who has done so much for her country."
Rice donated 40 pairs of shoes to Sirleaf's country, where families have limited access to running water and electricity. The president discussed her country's struggles and triumphs during her visit Friday morning.
Students welcomed Sirleaf to the private school's campus with bagpipes and a singing student chorus. Sirleaf spent time in a French classroom and at an assembly talking about the path that led to her presidency.
She was elected in 2005, he first woman to be democratically elected president in Africa. Her Tampa connection is David Straz Jr., honorary consul to Liberia. Straz's daughter, Keebler, is a seventh-grader at Berkeley, and he also serves on the University of Tampa's board of trustees.
Straz met Sirleaf in 2006, and they became friends. His charitable foundation has helped rebuild the College of West Africa, which Sirleaf attended.
During her visit, students asked Sirleaf how she feels about protesters and about people comparing her to Margaret Thatcher, a former prime minister of Great Britain. Sirleaf said she supports those who stand up for their convictions and is flattered by the Thatcher comparison.
One student asked why Liberia elected a woman president before the United States.
"Your shortcoming," Sirleaf quipped. "Seriously, the Liberian women seized the opportunity before them."
A different student wanted to know what Berkeley students could do to help Liberia.
"Instead of throwing away your books, put them in a box and send them to us," she said.
Berkeley students and staff donated a collection of school supplies Friday and were making plans for a book drive.
Sirleaf will continue her tour of Tampa today when she speaks at the UT commencement.
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