Syracuse Sun

Members of the Social Workers United (SWU) student group from Falk College are collecting school supplies for children in Liberia. The West African nation is one of the poorest countries in the world, with seven out of 10 children living in extreme poverty and facing significant educational challenges, including a lack of learning materials.

Benetta Dousuah, a graduate student in the School of Social Work at Syracuse University’s Falk College, has firsthand experience with these hardships. Her family fled Liberia during civil wars between 1989 and 2003 and spent nearly a decade in a refugee camp in Ghana before immigrating to the United States.

Dousuah asked SWU to assist her with a drive to collect school supplies for Liberian children. “Donating school supplies to children in Liberia is an impactful gesture that resonates deeply with me,” she said. “As someone who fled Liberia during the civil war and found refuge in the United States, I understand firsthand the transformative power of access to education.”

The drive runs through July 15, with requests for donations including pens, pencils, paper, folders, binders, crayons, backpacks, glue, tape, calculators, sporting goods and scissors. Donations can be dropped off at Suite 244H in Falk College’s White Hall or made through SWU’s Amazon Wishlist.

Dousuah's memories of U.S. Army soldiers providing humanitarian aid influenced her decision to enlist in the military as a unit supply specialist. She stated that her family's journey from a refugee camp was made possible by others' generosity: “The school supplies–which will be donated to Victory International Christian School System, Paynesville Harvest Christian Academy and Pamela Kay High School–will directly enrich the educational experiences of countless children.”

Faculty advisors Jennifer Genovese, Nadaya Brantley and Kristin Esposito support SWU students as they develop service projects but emphasize that students lead these initiatives.

“Being involved in this donation drive is truly remarkable,” said SWU President Mary Claytor. “SWU is dedicated to fostering service projects aligned with students’ passions.”

This marks SWU's third donation drive this year following efforts for Hendricks Chapel Food Pantry and Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital. It is their first international initiative.

“The students of Social Workers United continue to exemplify the core values of social work: service, social justice, human dignity...,” said Genovese.

It will take about three months for the supplies to reach Liberia by boat; thus they will be shipped by late July to ensure delivery during the school year.

“Personally, I plan to visit Liberia in December to distribute the supplies myself,” Dousuah added. “By supporting education in Liberia... we are investing in the future of these children.”

Syracuse University’s School of Social Work has been ranked among the Best Schools of Social Work by U.S. News & World Report.