SMART Readers Liberia, Inc.
The program commenced with a warm welcome address from the founding team of Smart Readers Liberia INC., who expressed heartfelt gratitude to all who had journeyed to witness this historic occasion. The national anthem was rendered with pride, followed by an invocation that set a tone of purpose, hope, and solemn commitment to the children of Liberia. The energy inside the auditorium was palpable — a room full of people united by a single, powerful conviction: that every Liberian child deserves the gift of literacy.
At the forefront of this bold initiative stands Mr. Nelson T. Sackie, the founder of Smart Readers Liberia INC. Driven by a deep-seated passion for education and an acute awareness of the literacy challenges facing Liberian children, Mr. Sackie translated vision into action — building an organization from the ground up with the singular goal of ensuring that no child is left behind in the journey of learning to read.
Mr. Sackie's founding of Smart Readers Liberia INC. reflects a commitment that goes beyond institutional ambition. It is a personal pledge to the children of Liberia — a promise that their futures will not be determined by limited access to quality reading education. Under his leadership, the organization has forged a meaningful partnership with the Versenia Mission School System, whose support and shared values of educational excellence made the launch program possible and provided a fitting home for this historic occasion.
At the heart of the launch was a passionate presentation of the organization's vision: a Liberia where every child can read, learn, and lead. Smart Readers Liberia INC. was founded on the belief that literacy is not a privilege — it is a fundamental right. The organization's mission centers on equipping Liberian children with strong foundational reading skills through structured literacy programs, trained reading specialists, community outreach, and access to quality reading materials.
Founder Nelson T. Sackie and his team outlined a bold roadmap, emphasizing their commitment to working alongside schools, parents, and government institutions to bridge the literacy gap that continues to challenge Liberia's educational landscape. The partnership with the Versenia Mission School System was highlighted as a cornerstone of this strategy — a collaboration rooted in shared purpose and a mutual devotion to the next generation.
The most anticipated segment of the program was the keynote address, delivered with grace and conviction by Ms. Magdalene Finda Saah — a distinguished media professional, educator, advocate, and humanitarian whose remarkable breadth of experience made her the ideal voice for such a momentous occasion.
Drawing from her work across media, education, and humanitarian service, Ms. Saah painted a compelling picture of the interconnectedness of literacy, opportunity, and national development. She articulated the urgency of the literacy crisis facing Liberia, reminding the audience that the ability to read is the gateway to every other form of learning and progress. As a media professional, she understood the power of communication; as an educator, she knew firsthand the transformative impact of a child who can read; as an advocate and humanitarian, she carried the moral weight of those whose voices remain unheard because the written word was never made accessible to them.
Ms. Saah challenged educators, parents, policymakers, and community members to see literacy not as an academic concern alone, but as a national priority — one that demands collective and immediate action. Her address drew sustained applause and left the gathering of over 200 attendees visibly inspired and stirred to purpose.
The launch program was further enriched by addresses from a distinguished panel of special speakers, each bringing a unique and deeply personal perspective to the occasion.
Mr. Prince Newah, a proud and permanent member of the New Israel Community in Johnsonville, brought a voice of local pride and communal ownership to the program. His remarks reflected the heartbeat of the very neighborhood that hosted the launch, as he spoke to the significance of such an initiative taking root in their community. Mr. Newah urged residents and stakeholders alike to nurture and protect what had been planted among them, affirming that the New Israel Community stood ready to support the mission of Smart Readers Liberia INC. with open arms.
Mr. Adolphus Peawon occupied a place of special honor at the launch, having been one of the initial promoters of the idea that would eventually become Smart Readers Liberia INC. His presence on the program was a testament to the power of a well-planted seed. Mr. Peawon spoke with the quiet authority of someone who had believed in this vision long before it had a name, a venue, or an audience. He reflected on the early conversations and the conviction that drove him and others to encourage and champion the establishment of the organization. His remarks were a reminder that great institutions are rarely born in isolation — they are nurtured by the faith of those who dare to imagine them first.
Mr. Gohnlon S. Kollie, the founder and proprietor of the Readers Foundation Institute (RFI), brought the perspective of an experienced literacy practitioner to the occasion. As someone who had already dedicated his professional life to building a reading culture in Liberia, Mr. Kollie's endorsement of Smart Readers Liberia INC. carried tremendous weight. He spoke of the urgent need for more organizations committed to literacy, noting that the challenge is far too large for any single institution to bear alone. He welcomed Smart Readers Liberia INC. into the growing community of literacy advocates in the country and pledged the support and solidarity of the Readers Foundation Institute. His address was both a c elebration of the new organization and a call to collective action across the literacy
Among the most moving moments of the program was a demonstration by young readers — children who, through early literacy support, stood before an audience of more than 200 guests and read aloud with confidence and clarity. Their voices, steady and assured, made the mission of Smart Readers Liberia INC. tangible and undeniable. In those young faces, the audience witnessed not just what is possible, but what is necessary. For many in attendance, it was the most powerful argument of the entire evening — proof, living and breathing, that the work of Smart Readers Liberia INC. already had a heartbeat.
The official launch also included the unveiling of Smart Readers Liberia INC.'s inaugural programs, designed to operate in schools and community centers across the country, beginning with its partner institution, the Versenia Mission School System. These programs focus on:
The program concluded with a collective pledge — from founder Nelson T. Sackie, partners, educators, speakers, and guests alike — to champion the cause of literacy in Liberia. Smart Readers Liberia INC. extended an open invitation to individuals, businesses, schools, and institutions to join them in this mission, whether through partnership, volunteering, or support.
As the ceremony drew to a close at the Versenia Mission School Auditorium on that memorable evening of June 23, 2023, the mood was one of quiet determination and joyful resolve. More than 200 hearts had been moved. A community in Johnsonville had answered a call. And Smart Readers Liberia INC. — born from a bold idea, nurtured by faithful promoters, and launched before a community ready to believe — had taken its first, confident step into the future of Liberia's children.
"Inclusive Education for Lifelong Success"