The Victor E. Ward

OUR PROGRAMS

The Ward Educational Fund provides the following programs/projects:

• Women in Natural Science (WINS)
• Scholarships and Internships
• Ward Academy
• Chemistry Resource Center
• MentorSciNet
• Girls Empowered through Mentorships (GEMS)
• Youth Vacation Iinternships

WINS PROGRAM

The Women in Natural Science (WINS) Program is an exciting program that empowers young women to become leaders and productive citizens through the power of science education. Young women with a major in Chemistry have established a project whereby they make visits to three high schools in Monrovia, Liberia and meet with girls in grades 9th to 12th to assist them with science home assignments; to talk to them about careers in science; and to distribute educational aids provided by the Ward Fund, including notebooks, pens, pencils, etc. The university young women receive a small annual stipend to help with transportation and lunch.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND INTERNSHIPS

The Ward Fund provides scholarships to students pursuing a degree in Chemistry. Students receive full or partial scholarships depending on their needs and their ability to maintain a certain Grade Point Average. Internships are provided for first year graduates from the Department of Chemistry to help them make the transition into the world of work. The interns return to the university campus to provide tutoring services to students who are scoring below a passing grade in chemistry.

WARD ACADEMY

The Ward Academy hosts two programs: The Ward Academy of Science and Technology for Girls and the Ward Early Education Program for Children between the ages of 1 and 5. The Early Education Program serves as a feeder to our Academy for Girls. The children receive an early introduction to language, numbers, computer technology and science. They participate in computer classes where they use laptops to view the letters of the alphabet on the monitor and through educational CD’s and DVD’s they learn words, songs and numbers.

THE VICTOR E. WARD CHEMISTRY RESOURCE CENTER

The Resource Center is located on the Fendall Campus of the University of Liberia. Educational Aids including textbooks, scientific calculators, internet access and other supplies are provided for students who are pursuing a degree in chemistry at the University of Liberia. Through this program The Ward Fund assists the Chemistry Department by providing chemistry lab supplies and equipment on a loan basis. We also provide notebooks and other supplies to chemistry majors at a discounted price. Chemistry students can utilize the resources in the room to help write papers, do research on the internet and read current magazines on topics of interest to chemists. Students and professors attend lecture series on topics in chemistry. We accept donations of books, chemistry journals, lab supplies and Texas Instrument calculators. To make a donation, contact us

MentorSciNet

MentorSciNet is an online mentorship program that links University of Liberia students with professional Liberians in the United States. Professionals guide their mentees in career choice; assist with lessons and serve as a big brother or big sister. The Ward Fund provides funding for students in Liberia to use internet cafes to send emails to their mentors.

GIRLS EMPOWERED THROUGH MENTORSHIPS (GEMS)

This is a newly established program that will begin in October 2009. Girls between the ages of 12 and 15 will be matched with professional Liberian women in Liberia for one-on-one mentoring once a month and for a group meeting once a month. Girls will shadow their mentors at work and learn the ins and outs of their professions.

YOUTH VACATION INTERNSHIPS

• Interns will have the opportunity to work with young children between the ages of 4 and 7 in computer-aided science classes.
• Interns will also be mentored by University graduates and professionals in the field of science and attend career workshops.
• Interns will develop computer, communication and leadership skills
• Interns will also help to design a science outreach activity for the community to bring about science awareness for the general public.