Teachers at a mission school operated by the Providence Foundation of the Providence Baptist Church in Bo Waterside, Grand Cape Mount County, are raising alarm over continued delays in salary payments, which have left many struggling to survive.
According to internal memos obtained by this paper, staff at the school, which is managed by the Providence Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Samuel Reeves, is allegedly owed at least three months of salary arrears dating as far back as April 2025.
“We’ve been working without pay since April. They gave us 50% of just one month’s pay recently, but the rest is still outstanding. People are hungry. Some of us are parents-we have bills, children in school, rent to pay. This is not sustainable,” said one teacher who spoke to Verity on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation.
Internal correspondence from the Foundation’s Finance Officer, Mr. Christopher Nyhdro, confirmed the delay in payments.
In a July 22 memo addressed to all staff, the Foundation acknowledged the financial crisis, stating that only partial payments for one of the three months owed could be made at this time.
The memo expressed regret for the delay, promised future updates, and thanked staff for their continued patience.
Earlier memos dating back to May and June 2025 reveal that the Foundation has been struggling with income deficits.
The May 9 memo from the Board of Trustees cited “significant financial challenges” and promised updates by the following Friday, updates that some staff say never came.
Another staff member told Verity, “We are dedicated to educating the children of this community, but we feel abandoned. Some teachers are considering leaving if nothing changes. We need help-urgently.”
The school, established in 2010 by the Providence Baptist Church, has long been a vital institution in Bo Waterside, serving children from both urban and rural communities.
Its mission has centered on providing Christian-based education to underserved populations. But staff members now question how long they can continue without support.
Multiple attempts to contact senior administrators at the Foundation for comment were unsuccessful by press time.
Meanwhile, the affected teachers are calling on the church, community leaders, and education stakeholders to intervene.
“We believe in the mission,” the anonymous source added. “But belief doesn’t pay rent or buy food. We need action.”
