The Man Behind the Legacy
Mr. James Boakai Lumei
James Boakai (Buku) Lumei grew up in a small village in Grand Cape Mount County, Liberia, where access to education was scarce and opportunities were limited. From a young age, he showed an insatiable curiosity and a fierce determination to learn—not just for himself, but for every child in his community.
Humble Beginnings: Born into a farming family, James walked miles each day to attend a one-room schoolhouse. He balanced long hours in the fields with evening studies by kerosene lamp.
Champion of Girls’ Education: Recognizing the cultural barriers that kept many girls out of school, he personally tutored young women in his family and neighborhood, ensuring they mastered reading, writing, and arithmetic.
Community Builder: Beyond teaching, James organized fund-raisers—selling produce, organizing community plays, and rallying neighbors to repair dilapidated school benches and replenish scarce supplies.
Heart of the Cause: His tireless work was cut tragically short when he succumbed to a preventable heart condition at age fifty-five—an experience that galvanized his daughter Kua’s mission to combine education and health outreach.
Enduring Inspiration: Today, every window we replace, every hygiene kit we distribute, and every student we empower carries forward James’s belief that education and well-being are inseparable foundations of community resilience.
His life reminds us that one person’s vision and sacrifice can light the path for generations—and it is in that spirit that the James B. Lumei Foundation carries on his legacy.