-Suehn Legacy Circle Gala Calls for National Renewal Through Strategic Reinvestment in One of Liberia’s Most Storied Institutions
MONROVIA — A renewed national conversation on education, heritage, and collective responsibility took center stage at Monrovia City Hall on Friday night as the Suehn Legacy Circle hosted its Heritage Awards and Fundraising Gala under the theme “Legacy Institutions, National Renewal, and the Power of Strategic Reinvestment.” The evening reached a defining moment when renowned humanitarian and philanthropist Upjit Singh Sachdeva, popularly known as Jeety, announced a commitment of three million Liberian dollars’ worth of building materials to kick-start the long-awaited reconstruction of the historic Suehn Industrial Academy.
The announcement drew sustained applause from a packed hall of national leaders, educators, faith leaders, alumni, development partners, and community stakeholders, many of whom trace their roots—or those of their families—to Suehn Mission, once among Liberia’s most respected centers of learning and character formation.
A Symbolic Investment in National Memory
Founded in 1912, Suehn Industrial Academy was more than a school. For nearly a century, it served as a crucible of disciplined education, vocational training, moral instruction, and civic leadership, producing teachers, pastors, civil servants, and national leaders whose influence shaped Liberia’s public life. The civil conflict and years of neglect left the campus in ruins, turning a national asset into a painful symbol of loss.
Speaking as keynote speaker, Jeety framed his donation not as charity but as national responsibility. He described the reconstruction of Suehn as “a development-smart investment,” emphasizing that rebuilding legacy institutions strengthens national capacity by expanding access to education that blends values, skills, and service.
“While I am an Indian by passport, I am a Liberian by heart,” Jeety told the audience. “Joining hands to revive Suehn is about investing in Liberia’s future. Education is the key to unlocking Liberia’s vast potential.”
The Suehn Legacy Circle’s Vision
Earlier in the program, Suehn Legacy Circle Chair LeRoy Boikai delivered welcome remarks and outlined the purpose of the evening. He reminded the audience that Suehn’s story is not private memory but national inheritance, deserving restoration through collective stewardship.
Dr. Boikai stressed that Liberia stands at a moment when collaboration, shared responsibility, and long-term investment in education are essential. Rehabilitating Suehn, he said, offers a strategic opportunity to restore what already carries trust, identity, and legacy—rather than starting from scratch.
“This evening marks more than a fundraising event,” Boikai said. “It marks the launch of a restoration pathway grounded in partnership, transparency, and collective national interest.”
Honoring Pillars of Faith, Education, and Service
The gala also paid tribute to individuals whose lives embodied Suehn’s enduring values. Honored in memoriam were Mrs. Victoria A. Tolbert, celebrated for strengthening Christian education and Baptist schools across Liberia; Rev. Dr. E. Torma Reeves, a pillar of Baptist leadership and historic Providence Baptist Church; Mrs. Dinah Brown-Barr, a trailblazing home economist whose work advanced family life and nutrition; Rev. Gbessi W.F. Kemah, remembered for compassionate ministry at Suehn Mission; and Hon. Ballah K.M. Davis, a respected educator and statesman instrumental in Suehn’s later years.
The honorees also included Mrs. Agnes Nebo Von Ballmoos, recognized for preserving Suehn’s legacy nationally and internationally, and Cllr. Charles W. Brumskine, cited for shaping Liberia’s modern democratic discourse—both emblematic of the institution’s far-reaching influence.
Jeety’s Humanitarian Footprint in Liberia
Jeety’s pledge resonated deeply because of his long-standing humanitarian work in Liberia. Since 2017, his feeding initiative—supported by the Jeety Conglomerate and guided by Sikh principles of honest work, meditation, and sharing—has evolved from a weekly effort into a daily, seven-day-a-week program. Today, it provides hot meals to more than 2,200 people across Monrovia, surrounding communities, and Weala in Margibi County.
Beyond food security, Jeety has supported healthcare outreach, emergency assistance, and community relief, often emphasizing service over publicity. At the gala, he reaffirmed that criticism would not deter his commitment to “doing God’s work,” insisting that service to humanity is a moral obligation.
A Call to Collective Action
While his donation provided momentum, Jeety was clear that rebuilding Suehn cannot be a one-person effort. He urged attendees to make commitments—financial, material, or organizational—before leaving the hall. Matching contributions, network-based fundraising, and sustained support, he argued, would determine whether Suehn is reborn or remembered only in ruins.
The Suehn Legacy Circle echoed that appeal, outlining plans for campus rehabilitation, heritage preservation, and structured groundwork to reopen Suehn as a living center of education and character formation. Organizers emphasized accountability, shared ownership, and long-term sustainability as guiding principles.
Why Suehn Matters—Now
Speakers throughout the evening underscored that restoring Suehn is not an exercise in nostalgia. Located in an underserved region and grounded in land dedicated to learning, the institution represents a practical pathway to expand educational access and rebuild national capacity. Public–private partnerships—bringing together alumni at home and abroad, faith-based institutions, philanthropists, and development partners—were highlighted as essential to success.
As Liberia grapples with youth unemployment, skills gaps, and social fragmentation, the revival of institutions like Suehn offers a model rooted in discipline, service, and national consciousness.
Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow-Nyanti, on behalf of herself and five siblings pledged US$5000.
Looking Ahead
The gala concluded with a note of cautious optimism. With Jeety’s L$3 million commitment setting the pace, organizers expressed hope that tangible reconstruction could begin swiftly. Some participants even spoke of returning to Suehn within a year to cut the ribbon on restored facilities—a powerful image of national renewal.
In closing, Jeety left the audience with a simple charge: “Do not give to get; give to inspire others.” If the energy of the evening is any indication, the Suehn Industrial Academy’s long journey from ruins to renewal may finally be underway—powered by memory, generosity, and a shared belief that Liberia’s future is best built by investing in its legacy institutions.
Read Jeety’s full speech here
