2022
The Beginning
JETROWEB Development was born from a shared conviction: that technology, when placed in the right hands,
can transform lives and institutions.The Foundation: Institutional Legitimacy and Early Access.
The earliest momentum behind the initiative came through the support of Mr. Zawolo, former
Superintendent of the Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS). Recognizing the potential
of a structured technology program within Liberia's educational ecosystem, he provided its
first formal platform by allowing the initiative to operate under his office. This decision was
strategic and consequential. By situating the program within the MCSS framework, Mr. Zawolo granted
it: Institutional legitimacy Administrative cover Access to educational infrastructure Immediate
credibility within the public sector In an environment where new initiatives often struggle for
recognition and trust, this endorsement accelerated acceptance. It positioned the program not as an
informal experiment, but as a serious educational and developmental effort. Even after leaving office,
Mr. Zawolo has remained a committed advocate—offering moral reinforcement, visibility, and encouragement
during pivotal stages of growth. His early backing laid a structural foundation that would have been
extremely difficult to build independently. The Vision: Social Justice Computing While local
institutional support provided the foundation, the driving vision came from Jeff Elkner, a Computer
Science teacher at Arlington Career Center (ACC) in Virginia. Jeff approached the initiative not
merely as a coding project, but as an expression of what he calls Social Justice Computing—the belief
that computing education can be a tool for empowerment, economic mobility, and systemic improvement.
From inception, Jeff provided: Financial support, Technical guidance, Curriculum design, Strategic
leadership and Ongoing mentorship. He did not operate as a distant advisor; he was actively involved
in shaping the structure, training, and direction of the program. As participation expanded and
technical capacity increased, Jeff led the transition from a small educational initiative into a
formally registered technology cooperative in Liberia. This evolution marked a critical shift: From:
A supported educational program To: A legally recognized, operational technology cooperative. Without
Jeff's initiative, resources, and sustained commitment, JETROWEB Development would not exist in its
present form. From Initiative to Enterprise JETROWEB Development represents the convergence of: Local
institutional trust (through Mr. Zawolo's early sponsorship) International mentorship and technical
leadership (through Jeffery Elkner's vision) A commitment to building sustainable tech capacity in
Liberia What began as a supported learning platform evolved into a cooperative focused on web
development, technical services, and professional growth for young technologists.
The founding story of JETROWEB is therefore not just about launching a cooperative. It is about:
Legitimizing opportunity Creating structured pathways into technology Combining educational
leadership with entrepreneurial execution Building credibility first, then scaling responsibly.
The organization stands today as a testament to collaboration across geography, public institutions,
and shared values-anchored in the belief that computing can be both practical and transformative.
