The Project Management Committee of AFKA is herein submitting this report to the General Assembly for transparent updates of the projects undertaken and completed for the association.
During the year, the committee tasked with the responsibility of identifying, streamlining, sourcing vendors, vetting and coordinating all projects for funding for AFKA to benefit the students and administration of Konola Academy.
Brief Description of Projects:
• Boys Dormitory Renovation – This project included entailed the complete remodeling of the dormitory which included gutting of the dormitory ceilings, damaged walls, replacing broken doors and installed new locks, floor repairs and replacing of old windows with sliding glass windows and screen installations and interior plastering and exterior painting.
• Constructed Bunk Beds – a total of 25 galvanized steel bunk beds were manufactured and delivered to the campus to be distributed to both dormitories for the boys (10) and girls (15) with the intend of having these set up as a show room ready for prospective students and parents visiting the campus to have an insight of what their rooms would look like.
• 50 Customized Mattresses were made to accompany the beds. These mattresses are to be equally distributed to the dormitories to go with the new beds as are designated.
• Renovation of the Administration Building including the administrative sections with enhanced security barriers, Classrooms, Library and Laboratory. This project included the retrofitting of the entire building and installing modern doors, windows and screens, tiling the hallways, classrooms, installing new ceilings in hallways and classrooms, installing security protective materials in the ceilings and security barrier iron gates to the finance and records sections of the building to prevent easy access and crawl spaces for intruders and break-ins. This project also renovated the walkways to the administrative building and the laboratory.
Objectives:
With the clear objectives of making Konola Academy a favorite destination for boarding school in Liberia, AFKA sees the potential of the institution and looking back on the glory days when Konola Academy was a force to recon with amongst the competing High Schools in Liberia. Today, those are distance memories, and we intend to rejuvenate that spirit by being competitive and offering a lot more than just Religious Education, but including academic, general knowledge, technological competence as well as providing the platform for outside of the box thinking and experimenting with new ideas and developing skills through research and scientific experimentations.
Timelines (start and end dates):
For the most part, all projects undertaking at Konola Academy begins with a thorough study of the needs assessment and the involvement of stakeholders in the decision-making process in prioritizing which projects to take precedence. The Project Management Committee (PMT) initial responsibilities were to collect a pool of possible projects that can be considered for AFKA to implement. From the pool, the findings are categorized into short, medium and long-term priorities, thus compiling the workplan for the team to go by. The PMT strategically adapted the Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3 approach to remain laser focus of the projects being implemented to avoid the temptations of jumping around from projects to projects and entertaining any new ideas (without going thru the scale of preference process) that may come up to be considered. This approach helps to avoid monkey range being thrown in the mix and causing the team to lose focus and get sidetracked. In effective Project Management, the table of preference takes precedence to all ideas being considered. That is why the table of preference is crucial in the planning stages of any project.
Stakeholders:
The stakeholders being considered in the planning of these projects for the benefit of the institution are the school administration, AFKA, The Union Office and the student body. School administration serves as the point of contact for the implementing partners (contractors), and helping AFKA, the financier in determining the most value for money project considerations and the final determining agent for the project approval and sponsoring. The Union Office has been incorporated in the loop for transferring finances to Liberia for satisfactory disbursement and transparency with approval by the President of AFKA and the prior approval of the Board of Directors. The student body feedback are key to determining the success of the projects. They are the targeted end users providing the feedback needed for AFKA to continue sponsoring projects on campus.
Summary of Work Completed and Associated Costs:
1. Boys Dormitory Renovation - $16,694.00
2. Boys Bath Room Anex Remodeling - $4,883.00
3. Constructed Custom Made Bunk Beds - $6,495.00
4. Provided 50 Customized 75ft. Mattresses - $2,550.00
5. Renovation of Administration Building and Classrooms, Library and Laboratory - $14,976.37
6. Transfer fees - $23.78
7. Miscellaneous Expenses - $117.00
GRAND TOTAL: $45,739.15
Recommendations for Future Projects: Projects in the pipelines for 2025/2026 include the following which more emphasis for the reunion fundraising with be targeted towards.
1. Equipping the Laboratory and Library - There is a need to modernize the school’s laboratory and digitize the library. Initial work has been done to source the contractor to manufacture the desk and chairs for the library, build shelves and run the network cables to have the library and laboratory set up for internet connectivity. This is also to facilitate the Computer Learning Center in the Laboratory.
2. Providing full internet services to the campus to assist the students and faculty with academic and administrative functions that are currently lacking
3. Installation of security cameras and surveillance devices at strategic locations on campus to assist in the deterrence of thefts and break-ins on campus.
4. Renovating the Principal Primary residence on campus to make conducive for hosting visiting dignitaries, partners prospective students and parents, and others which may need a sit-with the principal on campus outside of the administrative offices.
Performance Against Goals
• Budget: On track ($48,000 of $50,000)
a. It is worth noting that the projected budget for 2024/2025 for all projects undertaking by AFKA was $50,000. This projection was based on previous works that have been undertaken by AFKA administrations and has stirred up some concerns of the value for money or having tangible outcomes to account for the ventures. The Project Management Committee is pleased to report that we operated under the projection and all works were satisfactorily completed on time and contractors paid in full without a negative impact to report.
• Timeline: Completed on schedule
Respectfully submitted:
PROJECT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
D. Randolph Davis – Chairman
Dr. Emmanuel George – Member
Rudy Henry – Member
Joseph Sebli - Member
Sangai Cooper - Member
Alfreda Cooper – Member
Elodia Perry – Member
Laura Stella-Brown – Member
Sandry Curry-Quenon – Member
We work to provide charitable assistance that benefits students of Konola Academy, inspires the pursuit of education, and supports members of AFKA to become exemplary leaders.
site by IronWeb