Scores of children excitedly went back to their classrooms as Liberia opens many of them, a sign that they may eventually be winning against Ebola.
Liberia was one of the three countries along with Sierra Leone and Guinea badly hit by the Ebola outbreak more than 12 months ago. Collectively, more than 9,000 people died with over 15,000 reported cases.
The outbreak was so severe that the Liberian government was forced to close down their schools for a period of six months as a way of controlling the spread.
Today, many of these schools have been opened, bringing a growing sense of normalcy in a country that was deeply ravaged by a disease.
Nevertheless, the remembrance of Ebola can still be felt in the school grounds. Before these children can get inside their classrooms, teachers have to obtain their body temperatures first. One of the earliest signs of the infection is high fever.
Many of the seats continue to remain empty as some parents opt to prevent their children from going back to school out of fear of the disease. Others cannot afford to pay for books and other school needs as they themselves lost their jobs during the epidemic.
Then there are children and teachers who will never be able to go back to these classrooms ever again. They have become part of the statistic, their bodies succumbing to the severe symptoms of the virus including diarrhea and organ failure.
It's expected that by March 2 all schools should be opened and available teachers present. Otherwise, they may be facing penalties. Early in the year, Guinea has already started opening schools. However, some parents withdrew their children due to a false belief that the schools have Ebola.
Last Sunday, the leaders of these three countries met in a closed-door meeting in Guinea's capital and vowed to eradicate Ebola in 60 days.