CTN Legacy REAP Project - Girls Dorm Restoration

We are the grandchildren of the late Christine Tolbert Norman and to honor her legacy, we are hoping to raise $16,000 to further support vulnerable young people in Liberia on their vocational and educational journeys through REAP (Restoration Educational Advancement Programs). The specific purpose of the funds will be to complete the construction/renovation of the girl's dormitory at REAP Vocational Training Institute in Bentol, Liberia West Africa. Any contribution, whether it be $1 or $1,000, will be appreciated. We also would appreciate it if you would share this gofundme as well. Thank you so much for your support!

REAP (Restoration of Educational Advancement Programs) was founded in 2002. The primary mission of REAP is to support students, orphans, disadvantaged youth, and marginalized women by providing them with life skills to empower them and support community development. REAP specifically has the goals of strengthening families and enhancing early childhood development, as well as increasing employment and agricultural development. REAP was transformed into a Vocational and Technical Career Institute and was accredited by the Ministry of Education in March 2020. They offer programs in computer science, hospitality, agriculture, and business. Through these programs, they have successfully built a water system, built a boy's dormitory, and founded a program to provide nutritious food to hungry students and staff.

Liberia is a developing country in West Africa. A military coup d’etat and a Civil War in 1980 severely harmed the economy and destabilized the country. This has resulted in food insecurity, high poverty rates, high child labor rates, and low literacy rates (especially among women).

Christine Norman was born on November 18, 1943 in Monrovia, Liberia. Christine and her family have always been passionate about faith, education, and service. After receiving her Master’s degree from Northwestern University in Education and Vocational Counseling, she co-founded Isaac A. David Sr. Memorial School in 1968 in Paynesville, Liberia. She also served as the Deputy Minister of Education for Instruction from 1974 to 1980. The coup in 1980 left thousands of children and adults impoverished and without education. She founded REAP in 2002 in order to empower vulnerable populations in Liberia with life skills and education. She believed that this was an important step in pulling Liberians out of a cycle of poverty.

Christine Norman sadly passed away on June 23, 2021 after a long fight with breast cancer. Her faithfulness, dedication to service, and passion for education and empowerment have cultivated an incredible legacy. In her honor, the renovated girl’s dormitory at REAP vocational school will be named after her. Completing the girl’s dormitory will further establish her legacy and help REAP continue its incredible and important work in empowerment and education in Liberia.

Again, thank you so much for your support!