MONROVIA — In a gesture underscoring the critical role of education in national development, Liberian geologist and businessman, Melvin George Pongay has donated essential school supplies to over 200 students in the Rock Hill Community, located in Electoral District #7, Montserrado County.
The community, nestled in the vicinity of the now-dilapidated Ducor Intercontinental Hotel along Benson Street and UN Drive, was the childhood home of Mr. Pongay. Known for its resilient, hard-working families and an enduring emphasis on education, Rock Hill has produced professionals across a wide range of disciplines — from accounting and geology to journalism, law enforcement, banking, and entrepreneurship.
On Monday, August 25, Pongay returned to his roots with a mission: to help ease the financial burden of parents preparing their children for the 2025–2026 academic year. His back-to-school initiative provided copybooks, pens, and pencils to school-going children from preparatory through high school.
“This is my way of giving back to the community that raised me,” Pongay said. “Education is the strongest tool we can give our children for a better future, and I’m proud to be part of that journey.”
Parents and Students React
The donation was warmly received by parents and children alike. Many expressed heartfelt gratitude, describing the gesture as unprecedented in the community.
“This is the first time a son of the soil, someone born and raised right here in Rock Hill, has taken such an initiative,” said one resident. “We are truly grateful for Mr. Pongay’s support. It has lifted a heavy burden from our shoulders as the school year begins.”
Community members also called on others with the means to emulate Mr. Pongay’s example by investing in the education of Rock Hill’s youth.
A Call for Unity and Future Support
Speaking to reporters, Pongay stated that his initiative is entirely apolitical.
“I am not affiliated with any political institution. My gesture is purely personal and driven by my passion for children’s education,” he said. “However, I’m open to collaboration with anyone—individuals, organizations, or institutions—who share the same vision of empowering our youth through education.”
He stressed the need to keep children positively engaged and out of harmful or unproductive activities, particularly in urban communities.
Background and Vision
Melvin George Pongay is the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Sangaba Pongay of Lofa County. His family was among the first settlers of the Ducor Rock Hill Community, where he was born and raised.
A graduate of Wells Hairston High School and the University of Liberia’s College of Engineering, Pongay holds a degree in Geology and has earned several international professional certifications. Throughout his life, he has remained a staunch advocate for children’s education, consistently emphasizing that “today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders.”
“This is just the beginning,” Pongay noted. “Beyond providing school materials, I plan to support other educational activities that will build the minds and character of the children in our community.” His commitment to education and community empowerment has earned him admiration and respect among peers and community members. As the new school year begins, Pongay’s initiative serves as a powerful reminder that meaningful change starts at the community level — one book, one child at a time.
