The First Lady of Liberia, Mrs. RosieLee Bryant, visited Notre Dame Academy on May 6 in an effort to raise awareness and support of the African Friendship Exchange (AFE), the community service project brainchild of Notre Dame Academy juniors Paris Henderson and Taylor Walters. Walters and Henderson started the non-profit AFE to bring various types of relief to children in Africa.

"The organization has many different chapters and the one that is being worked on right now is Li.F.E links or Liberian Friendship Exchange," said Henderson. "We started the organization to help rebuild the war-torn country's school system. It all started as a project to meet our community service requirement at Notre Dame Academy, but it grew into so much more," she continued.

After just one month, Li.F.E Links has raised more than $4,000 and has pledges for medical equipment and leftover textbooks - which made Notre Dame Academy a natural partner for the project.

When the First Lady came to Notre Dame Academy there was a lot of excitement and anticipation. Everyone wanted to know who was the Lady in the beautiful African garb in the lobby? When they found out, the students made a beautiful gesture. Through a dress down day -- where each student pays $2.00 to wear regular out of uniform clothes to raise money for charity -- the students raised more than $1,000 in one afternoon. After the First Lady spoke, everyone wanted to know what more they could do to help. It brought the school community together and demonstrated the caring environment at Notre Dame Academy.

Walters and Henderson say they are proud to go to such a wonderful school that fosters the idea that we should all want to give back to the world.

"Notre Dame Academy certainly gave on that day, and continues to give back, each and every day," said Walters.