Founder

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Laurraine Danpunue James is the founder of Providing Infinite Chances to Maintain Education (PIC ME).  Danpunue was born in Liberia and relocated to America during Liberia civil war.   Since her first visit to Liberia in March of 2011, she devoted several days to researching the youngsters in various villages and towns around Liberia.   After paying close attention, she developed serious concerns about the following: children as young as 10 who were prostituting; children who were in school for less than four hours a day; young children making toys out of sticks and cans; children selling in the marketplace rather than in school; and most depressing of all, the children who were in school but didn't have the supplies they needed. Though most of the kids Danpunue encountered could not read or write, they were generally up to date on the newest music and dancing moves in town. She was astounded by the talent these little children showed, even though it saddened her.  She cried and said, "Look at all these talents being wasted because there aren't enough resources." She thought that it was wise to connect and learn more about Liberian Youth while she figured out how she could be a help to society.
 

She discovered her purpose in life after connecting with and learning more about the Liberian youth for most of her vacation. Danpunue concluded that although these young children wish for the chance to receive an education, they are unable to pay for it. She noticed that those children weren't learning anything at their backyard schools. Sadly, it appeared as though they didn't value education, but that was a misunderstanding. Some of their means of subsistence could not be provided to them and some were disadvantaged. Danpunue was so moved by these children that she was driven to take more action. She came to Liberia a second time in 2013, but this time it was for the boutique's opening. The shop was meant to be a springboard for her primary objective, which was to open an Early Development school. Regrettably, those events did not unfold as she had hoped, this did not change her resolution to change her nation. Danpunue carried on the PIC ME initiative for her school's development after returning to the United States

Soon after, Ebola struck Liberia, she momentarily turned her focus to helping those who were affected by the disease. She gave food and medical supplies to various organizations providing relief efforts for the Ebola epidemic. In 2015, Danpunue registered the organization “Providing Infinite Chance to Maintain Education” (PIC ME) and advanced the "Pack for Success" project under PIC Me which has been helping numerous children. Due to the project's great success, more than 1500 school supplies have been distributed to underprivileged children. PIC ME launched its first STEM summer program in the summer of 2019 it was a huge success. In response to a question asked during the interview, Danpunue said, "The STEM program is one of her pride and joy that has a huge impact on the youths." Over the years, she has given thousands of supplies not limited to school supplies, medical supplies, food, and numerous school scholarships.