Some came from a family with no relevance in society
And some couldn’t afford to earn higher education but made it through exploring the opportunities of vocational skill trainings
Achievement is all about determination and overtime hard work. Social status can be gained through personal merit and not only as a result of the fortunate circumstances into which somebody is born
Anyone can make it in life; you don’t have to be from a specific background.
Not everyone can afford to finish high school or go to college. It is often said that education is the key to success, and there are different kinds of education.
One can go through the standard schooling system (high school, college) and open doors to success, so can it be for those who go through vocational education (skill training). One can make it to great heights of achievement if anyone is well learned. All that matters is the time you put into practicing what you learned and exploring options in different fields.
The story of this lady is an example of how one can make it through vocational training or vocational education.
Marpu Mulbah is a 34yr old middle aged woman, born in Bomi County to a poor family. Years went by and she was sent to live with her aunt. As she diligently served her aunt doing household chores, and showed her eagerness to learn and fend for herself, she was given a job at her aunt’s salon as after school job. Marpu who is a fast learner, learned the different aspects of cosmetology offer at her aunt’s salon.
Being the only member of her immediate family in the in the city and with the determination that she will rise to be the light in her family, she saved up her salary with a dream to start off on her own after high school.
Upon completing high school and getting married the same month and year, she got a new job at the former first lady’s (Jewel Howard-Taylor) salon. There she improved her skills, served well and saved up more.
Three years later, the girl from nowhere was able to open her own salon and worked overtime to improve it. With dreams of making it better and expanding, she opened a second salon and successfully managed the two for the next couple of years.
Marpu later give one of the salons to her sister to empower her and to have another helping hand support the family back in Bomi. With a happy marriage and a son, Marpu decided to add another component to her salon, clothing business, and the little business venture went well.
Pushing beyond her boundaries, and the urge to expand and grow bigger, she then took a loan from the bank and became an international business woman.
She now has a salon, boutique and a restaurant.
This is a woman who went from grass to grace.
This is a woman who now contributes to government revenue by paying her taxes.
This is a woman who now satisfies consumer needs.
And this is a woman who made it just through skill training, not even a certified one.
With great determination, hard work, and implementation of what she learned, she is a living success story.
You don’t only have to hold a bachelor’s degree to succeed in this life. Vocational skill training centers are now being opened everywhere to help prepare people become self efficient.
You might want to get a degree some day, but don’t have the funds to earn it, you can always do skill training and establish a business of your own. With a full implementation of what you’ve learned and determination to push beyond boundaries, the business can serve as a source of income to see you through college.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Get the Girls’ Education National Policy off the shelves and implement it
The Girls’ Education National Policy is a document that seeks the interest of girls and it calls for
Meeting Millennium Development Goal 2 by providing free and compulsory primary school and reducing secondary school fees by 50 per cent
Recruiting and training more female teachers
Providing counseling in schools for girls
Ending the impunity of teachers who commit sexual abuse and assault of students
Offering life skills at schools to raise the self-esteem so girls can say no to sexual abuse
Increasing the availability of small scale scholarships for girls
Strengthening health system in schools
Opening new parent-teacher associations and girls clubs
Promoting adult literacy
This document was launched on April 18, 2006 by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. The Ministry of Education, UNICEF and other partners, have worked together to achieve the goals of the document.
In an article according to Patrick Slavin, Liberia launches Girls’ Education National Policy with support from UNICEF, the president said that “the education of the girl child in Liberia is critical and an urgent matter. It is actually about human rights and human dignity it is about peace and the development of the country. That’s why achieving universal primary education for all girls and boys is one of the Millennium Development Goals set forth by the member states of the United Nations.”
Implementation of the plan to educate girls was stalled for two years. It was not until 2008 when the Ministry of Education launched nationwide dissemination program. According to the ministry, 6000 (six thousand) copies of the policy were distributed and given to teachers throughout the country.
The ministry also initiated training of trainers teachers across the country to create awareness and to sensitize the schools on the Girls’ Education National Policy.
The first phase of implementation not having started for two years after the launch of the policy, put dormant the implementation sector of this policy, and no real focus has been given to the policy since.
We should begin to ask ourselves, why should important policies that will help in achieving elements of the Poverty Reduction Strategy be used to decorate the shelves of government offices? Why aren’t they implemented so that Liberia can progress from its underdeveloped stage to more advance stages of development?
The policies of providing free and compulsory primary school and reducing secondary schools fees by 50 per cent have been implemented. However, there has been little improvement in the recruitment of female teachers, which is one of the goals of the policy. Recently, the president announced that Teacher’s College of the University of Liberia will offer free tuition; additionally, students will receive monthly stipends. Adult literacy programs have also been implemented by a few schools. The policy has nine focal points but only three of them have been implemented. What is happening to the other six points? Are they not as important as the other three? Why is strengthening the health care system in schools not being implemented? What stalled the implementation of life skills courses at schools? Shouldn’t we want to raise the self-esteem of girls? Why is the policy against sexual abuse not being implemented? Prostitution is on the rise in Liberia. Girls in school are most vulnerable. If life skills are offered, these girls, who are part of our future leaders, may begin to learn to fend off unwanted attention.
It’s been reported that in 2010 in Kenya over 1000 teachers have been sacked for sexual abuse against students within the last couple of years. Liberia can do the same if we fully implement this policy.
The Minister of Education in an interview with UNMIL Radio stated that 300 public schools have been built over the years to help combat illiteracy in Liberia. I commend them for that, but if all focal points of the Girls’ Education National Policy were being implemented in these newly built schools as a start, it’ll show that the process is on and the policy is not just another irrelevant document to the growth of this country.
Private schools, however, have been left out of the process. They play a significant role in the education our people. Why is the ministry not making sure the policy is implemented in these schools? Shouldn’t there be good health care systems and counseling for girls enrolled in private schools too? The policy should also cover girls of private schools. To conclude, the Girls’ Education National Policy is essential to the development of school-age girls. Mr. Alan Doss, former head of UNMIL, stated that “Quality basic education for the girl child is the essential prerequisite for the conquest of poverty”.
To conclude, the Ministry of Education needs to empower the implementation sector of the policy to actively implement, monitor and evaluate the progress of the girls' policy. The government must do more to improve the quality of education in both private and public schools. The poor performance of students over the past two years in the West African Examination Council and also the entrance exam of the University of Liberia both are evidence of the poor quality of education in Liberia. Lets move Mama Liberia to the next level.
Meeting Millennium Development Goal 2 by providing free and compulsory primary school and reducing secondary school fees by 50 per cent
Recruiting and training more female teachers
Providing counseling in schools for girls
Ending the impunity of teachers who commit sexual abuse and assault of students
Offering life skills at schools to raise the self-esteem so girls can say no to sexual abuse
Increasing the availability of small scale scholarships for girls
Strengthening health system in schools
Opening new parent-teacher associations and girls clubs
Promoting adult literacy
This document was launched on April 18, 2006 by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. The Ministry of Education, UNICEF and other partners, have worked together to achieve the goals of the document.
In an article according to Patrick Slavin, Liberia launches Girls’ Education National Policy with support from UNICEF, the president said that “the education of the girl child in Liberia is critical and an urgent matter. It is actually about human rights and human dignity it is about peace and the development of the country. That’s why achieving universal primary education for all girls and boys is one of the Millennium Development Goals set forth by the member states of the United Nations.”
Implementation of the plan to educate girls was stalled for two years. It was not until 2008 when the Ministry of Education launched nationwide dissemination program. According to the ministry, 6000 (six thousand) copies of the policy were distributed and given to teachers throughout the country.
The ministry also initiated training of trainers teachers across the country to create awareness and to sensitize the schools on the Girls’ Education National Policy.
The first phase of implementation not having started for two years after the launch of the policy, put dormant the implementation sector of this policy, and no real focus has been given to the policy since.
We should begin to ask ourselves, why should important policies that will help in achieving elements of the Poverty Reduction Strategy be used to decorate the shelves of government offices? Why aren’t they implemented so that Liberia can progress from its underdeveloped stage to more advance stages of development?
The policies of providing free and compulsory primary school and reducing secondary schools fees by 50 per cent have been implemented. However, there has been little improvement in the recruitment of female teachers, which is one of the goals of the policy. Recently, the president announced that Teacher’s College of the University of Liberia will offer free tuition; additionally, students will receive monthly stipends. Adult literacy programs have also been implemented by a few schools. The policy has nine focal points but only three of them have been implemented. What is happening to the other six points? Are they not as important as the other three? Why is strengthening the health care system in schools not being implemented? What stalled the implementation of life skills courses at schools? Shouldn’t we want to raise the self-esteem of girls? Why is the policy against sexual abuse not being implemented? Prostitution is on the rise in Liberia. Girls in school are most vulnerable. If life skills are offered, these girls, who are part of our future leaders, may begin to learn to fend off unwanted attention.
It’s been reported that in 2010 in Kenya over 1000 teachers have been sacked for sexual abuse against students within the last couple of years. Liberia can do the same if we fully implement this policy.
The Minister of Education in an interview with UNMIL Radio stated that 300 public schools have been built over the years to help combat illiteracy in Liberia. I commend them for that, but if all focal points of the Girls’ Education National Policy were being implemented in these newly built schools as a start, it’ll show that the process is on and the policy is not just another irrelevant document to the growth of this country.
Private schools, however, have been left out of the process. They play a significant role in the education our people. Why is the ministry not making sure the policy is implemented in these schools? Shouldn’t there be good health care systems and counseling for girls enrolled in private schools too? The policy should also cover girls of private schools. To conclude, the Girls’ Education National Policy is essential to the development of school-age girls. Mr. Alan Doss, former head of UNMIL, stated that “Quality basic education for the girl child is the essential prerequisite for the conquest of poverty”.
To conclude, the Ministry of Education needs to empower the implementation sector of the policy to actively implement, monitor and evaluate the progress of the girls' policy. The government must do more to improve the quality of education in both private and public schools. The poor performance of students over the past two years in the West African Examination Council and also the entrance exam of the University of Liberia both are evidence of the poor quality of education in Liberia. Lets move Mama Liberia to the next level.
Liberia’s approach to resolving the Ivorian Crisis.
A democratic election was held in Ivory Coast followed by a run-off election quite recently. This election was witnessed by the International community, independent observers and the results weren’t delivered to the public within the constitutional time frame of three days maximum given. It was announced that Alassane Ouattara was elected through that democratic election that that Mr. Ouattara won by 54.1% of the vote and Mr. Gbagbo 25.9% .
This result was announced by the Independent Electoral Commission and is considered credible by the United Kingdom, United Nations, White house and the African Union.
Liberia as chair of the Mano River Union (MRU), member of Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS), African Union (AU) and United Nations must take a diplomatic approach in addressing this crisis. Liberia should not single out herself as a nation and take a position or side with a specific party in the crisis, but our decision must be in conformity and expressed through the official statements of the above organizations that we are a part of. Our approach must in no way jeopardize our position or role in the MRU but strengthen us further.
As a neighboring country and Chair of the MRU, we must play the role of a mediator considering the geographical closeness of both countries, how it is going to affect our economy, stability and our citizens residing in that country.
In a broader light, we must be cognizant of the fact that any instability in the Ivory Coast will affect Liberia. A significant aspect of our economy and well being depends on the Ivoirian’s economy. The South Eastern region especially Maryland relies on the Ivory Coast for almost everything as it is preferable to do import and export with them. Most of our plastic utensils or plastic household items are imported from the Ivory Coast.
If a crisis erupts in that country, it is going to be strenuous on our economy due to the influx of refugees to Liberia. We have over 22,000 of our citizens in that country and we must firstly take into consideration their safety and survival.
We all are anticipating that Mr. Gbagbo would step down and allow democracy to prevail as a result of the pressure from the international community. Mr. Gbagbo has ruled Ivory Coast since 2000 without an election and faced a coup attempt in 2002 which started the long-running civil war.
The question is “what if” he doesn’t step down? Liberia is still recovering from war so she must calculate well her cost and risk and can only do so if she appreciates or understands the problem.
The president has warned ex-Liberian warlords to stay out of the Ivoirian crisis.
It is my opinion that Liberia remains neutral as an individual state in her approach to resolving the crisis between both parties. We must consider using strategies such as background channeling and holding caucus meetings with the parties involved while trying to promote and allow democracy to prevail.
This result was announced by the Independent Electoral Commission and is considered credible by the United Kingdom, United Nations, White house and the African Union.
Liberia as chair of the Mano River Union (MRU), member of Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS), African Union (AU) and United Nations must take a diplomatic approach in addressing this crisis. Liberia should not single out herself as a nation and take a position or side with a specific party in the crisis, but our decision must be in conformity and expressed through the official statements of the above organizations that we are a part of. Our approach must in no way jeopardize our position or role in the MRU but strengthen us further.
As a neighboring country and Chair of the MRU, we must play the role of a mediator considering the geographical closeness of both countries, how it is going to affect our economy, stability and our citizens residing in that country.
In a broader light, we must be cognizant of the fact that any instability in the Ivory Coast will affect Liberia. A significant aspect of our economy and well being depends on the Ivoirian’s economy. The South Eastern region especially Maryland relies on the Ivory Coast for almost everything as it is preferable to do import and export with them. Most of our plastic utensils or plastic household items are imported from the Ivory Coast.
If a crisis erupts in that country, it is going to be strenuous on our economy due to the influx of refugees to Liberia. We have over 22,000 of our citizens in that country and we must firstly take into consideration their safety and survival.
We all are anticipating that Mr. Gbagbo would step down and allow democracy to prevail as a result of the pressure from the international community. Mr. Gbagbo has ruled Ivory Coast since 2000 without an election and faced a coup attempt in 2002 which started the long-running civil war.
The question is “what if” he doesn’t step down? Liberia is still recovering from war so she must calculate well her cost and risk and can only do so if she appreciates or understands the problem.
The president has warned ex-Liberian warlords to stay out of the Ivoirian crisis.
It is my opinion that Liberia remains neutral as an individual state in her approach to resolving the crisis between both parties. We must consider using strategies such as background channeling and holding caucus meetings with the parties involved while trying to promote and allow democracy to prevail.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
A GIST OF ME ( HOW WELL DO U KNOW ME?)
1) Ironically, I am not the best friend one can have….. I’m not always there when u call, but I’m always on time…….
2) I’m always smiling, cause it makes others around me comfortable and that way, I can get whatever I want. Lol
3) I like politics, like the feeling of knowing the decisions I make affects or impacts the lives of so many. In a positive way na…. Oh… least I forget, I don’t to be a legislator or run for any public office….
4) When I was 5, I wanted to become an astronaut, Miss Liberia, and some day the 1st Lady of Liberia. As of yet, I haven’t achieved one. Astronaut, my parents didn’t have the money, Miss Liberia, hmmm…it doesn’t have the prestige it once did when I was 5. 1st Lady, that will be by the grace of God, Can’t even see the light lol, with God all things are possible.
5) I believe CHANGE is an eminent factor to society. Be it radical or whatever…….
6) I’m a talkative. I like to engage people in discussions. That’s how I learn.
7) I’m a Libra… so I can be trusted, I like justice and I’m a natural diplomat. I can be flirtatious
8) I love to travel, gives me a sense of comfort. Makes me feel like I’m breaking barrels or the world is in my hands... Don’t ask me how
9) I love to be in love… makes me feel safe. It’s my fall back or back up in times of trouble or stress.
10) I love my history (background) and is proud of it. If you know where you’re from, then you’ll know where you’re headed.
11) I love love Liberia. I do believe “The love of Liberty brought us together and not “The love of Liberty brought us here”
12) I love the raining season….
13) Some say I have a “big mouth” I say, I have “the guts”. If you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.
14) I love to fill a room with my presence, but doing so quietly…. Does that make me a show off… no!!!! because I do it quietly..lol
15) I love to be on top of my game… lol.. but who doesn’t???
16) I love friends.. having a lot of them makes me feel rich. I don’t ignore a friend request on Facebook or Hi5…lol I even opened a second page on Facebook..
17) I like to test the waters. I’m a little defiant. Like to speak out when no one wants to.
18) Some say I’m bold or too direct and I do shake hands like a guy (firm).
19) I like shoes.. Fashionable shoes. It brings out the sophistication of my old fashion style of dress. I like vintage clothing lol……They say I’m congo-rish
20) I know I can be what I wanna be… I do hope to bring great change or make my mark in the Liberian Foreign sector. Don’t forget, I’m a natural diplomat….lol
21) My favorite male artist is Chris Brown, I believe everyone should be given a second chance….
22) I would love to have a family someday, …. I thinking soon, if I find him. Can’t wait to have my first child. I don’t want to ever divorce. I’m lazy with home chores… when I was little, I use to tell my mom when I grow up I’ll pay people to do that for me. if my boss was doing all his job, I won’t have to work…lol
23) I lack patience for the weak and slow ones… I feel they can catch up later, if not now. Lets move on without them..
24) I want to teach some day. Share some of the knowledge I’ve acquired. I’ll try to work on #23 when I’m a teacher
25) I have a good appetite for food. I love to eat. People wonder where the food goes… I say, my big toe..lol…
26) I love to dance. It’s a good exercise for me. it’s good to work out while having fun. But I’m still not a good dancer.
27) The best part of a meal is the last one. I don’t give out my last food….lol
28) I can tolerate anything as long as it’ll get me what I want or to where I want. Play the fool to gain wisdom
29) I believe in God, I’m not holy holy, but he’s always there for me when I call. Shhh….I think he loves me, but doesn’t want to make it public.
30) I like to see my friends succeed in life, cause I know they will always be of help to me.
2) I’m always smiling, cause it makes others around me comfortable and that way, I can get whatever I want. Lol
3) I like politics, like the feeling of knowing the decisions I make affects or impacts the lives of so many. In a positive way na…. Oh… least I forget, I don’t to be a legislator or run for any public office….
4) When I was 5, I wanted to become an astronaut, Miss Liberia, and some day the 1st Lady of Liberia. As of yet, I haven’t achieved one. Astronaut, my parents didn’t have the money, Miss Liberia, hmmm…it doesn’t have the prestige it once did when I was 5. 1st Lady, that will be by the grace of God, Can’t even see the light lol, with God all things are possible.
5) I believe CHANGE is an eminent factor to society. Be it radical or whatever…….
6) I’m a talkative. I like to engage people in discussions. That’s how I learn.
7) I’m a Libra… so I can be trusted, I like justice and I’m a natural diplomat. I can be flirtatious
8) I love to travel, gives me a sense of comfort. Makes me feel like I’m breaking barrels or the world is in my hands... Don’t ask me how
9) I love to be in love… makes me feel safe. It’s my fall back or back up in times of trouble or stress.
10) I love my history (background) and is proud of it. If you know where you’re from, then you’ll know where you’re headed.
11) I love love Liberia. I do believe “The love of Liberty brought us together and not “The love of Liberty brought us here”
12) I love the raining season….
13) Some say I have a “big mouth” I say, I have “the guts”. If you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.
14) I love to fill a room with my presence, but doing so quietly…. Does that make me a show off… no!!!! because I do it quietly..lol
15) I love to be on top of my game… lol.. but who doesn’t???
16) I love friends.. having a lot of them makes me feel rich. I don’t ignore a friend request on Facebook or Hi5…lol I even opened a second page on Facebook..
17) I like to test the waters. I’m a little defiant. Like to speak out when no one wants to.
18) Some say I’m bold or too direct and I do shake hands like a guy (firm).
19) I like shoes.. Fashionable shoes. It brings out the sophistication of my old fashion style of dress. I like vintage clothing lol……They say I’m congo-rish
20) I know I can be what I wanna be… I do hope to bring great change or make my mark in the Liberian Foreign sector. Don’t forget, I’m a natural diplomat….lol
21) My favorite male artist is Chris Brown, I believe everyone should be given a second chance….
22) I would love to have a family someday, …. I thinking soon, if I find him. Can’t wait to have my first child. I don’t want to ever divorce. I’m lazy with home chores… when I was little, I use to tell my mom when I grow up I’ll pay people to do that for me. if my boss was doing all his job, I won’t have to work…lol
23) I lack patience for the weak and slow ones… I feel they can catch up later, if not now. Lets move on without them..
24) I want to teach some day. Share some of the knowledge I’ve acquired. I’ll try to work on #23 when I’m a teacher
25) I have a good appetite for food. I love to eat. People wonder where the food goes… I say, my big toe..lol…
26) I love to dance. It’s a good exercise for me. it’s good to work out while having fun. But I’m still not a good dancer.
27) The best part of a meal is the last one. I don’t give out my last food….lol
28) I can tolerate anything as long as it’ll get me what I want or to where I want. Play the fool to gain wisdom
29) I believe in God, I’m not holy holy, but he’s always there for me when I call. Shhh….I think he loves me, but doesn’t want to make it public.
30) I like to see my friends succeed in life, cause I know they will always be of help to me.
A GIST OF ME ( HOW WELL DO U KNOW ME?)
1) Ironically, I am not the best friend one can have….. I’m not always there when u call, but I’m always on time…….
2) I’m always smiling, cause it makes others around me comfortable and that way, I can get whatever I want. Lol
3) I like politics, like the feeling of knowing the decisions I make affects or impacts the lives of so many. In a positive way na…. Oh… least I forget, I don’t to be a legislator or run for any public office….
4) When I was 5, I wanted to become an astronaut, Miss Liberia, and some day the 1st Lady of Liberia. As of yet, I haven’t achieved one. Astronaut, my parents didn’t have the money, Miss Liberia, hmmm…it doesn’t have the prestige it once did when I was 5. 1st Lady, that will be by the grace of God, Can’t even see the light lol, with God all things are possible.
5) I believe CHANGE is an eminent factor to society. Be it radical or whatever…….
6) I’m a talkative. I like to engage people in discussions. That’s how I learn.
7) I’m a Libra… so I can be trusted, I like justice and I’m a natural diplomat. I can be flirtatious
8) I love to travel, gives me a sense of comfort. Makes me feel like I’m breaking barrels or the world is in my hands... Don’t ask me how
9) I love to be in love… makes me feel safe. It’s my fall back or back up in times of trouble or stress.
10) I love my history (background) and is proud of it. If you know where you’re from, then you’ll know where you’re headed.
11) I love love Liberia. I do believe “The love of Liberty brought us together and not “The love of Liberty brought us here”
12) I love the raining season….
13) Some say I have a “big mouth” I say, I have “the guts”. If you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.
14) I love to fill a room with my presence, but doing so quietly…. Does that make me a show off… no!!!! because I do it quietly..lol
15) I love to be on top of my game… lol.. but who doesn’t???
16) I love friends.. having a lot of them makes me feel rich. I don’t ignore a friend request on Facebook or Hi5…lol I even opened a second page on Facebook..
17) I like to test the waters. I’m a little defiant. Like to speak out when no one wants to.
18) Some say I’m bold or too direct and I do shake hands like a guy (firm).
19) I like shoes.. Fashionable shoes. It brings out the sophistication of my old fashion style of dress. I like vintage clothing lol……They say I’m congo-rish
20) I know I can be what I wanna be… I do hope to bring great change or make my mark in the Liberian Foreign sector. Don’t forget, I’m a natural diplomat….lol
21) My favorite male artist is Chris Brown, I believe everyone should be given a second chance….
22) I would love to have a family someday, …. I thinking soon, if I find him. Can’t wait to have my first child. I don’t want to ever divorce. I’m lazy with home chores… when I was little, I use to tell my mom when I grow up I’ll pay people to do that for me. if my boss was doing all his job, I won’t have to work…lol
23) I lack patience for the weak and slow ones… I feel they can catch up later, if not now. Lets move on without them..
24) I want to teach some day. Share some of the knowledge I’ve acquired. I’ll try to work on #23 when I’m a teacher
25) I have a good appetite for food. I love to eat. People wonder where the food goes… I say, my big toe..lol…
26) I love to dance. It’s a good exercise for me. it’s good to work out while having fun. But I’m still not a good dancer.
27) The best part of a meal is the last one. I don’t give out my last food….lol
28) I can tolerate anything as long as it’ll get me what I want or to where I want. Play the fool to gain wisdom
29) I believe in God, I’m not holy holy, but he’s always there for me when I call. Shhh….I think he loves me, but doesn’t want to make it public.
30) I like to see my friends succeed in life, cause I know they will always be of help to me.
2) I’m always smiling, cause it makes others around me comfortable and that way, I can get whatever I want. Lol
3) I like politics, like the feeling of knowing the decisions I make affects or impacts the lives of so many. In a positive way na…. Oh… least I forget, I don’t to be a legislator or run for any public office….
4) When I was 5, I wanted to become an astronaut, Miss Liberia, and some day the 1st Lady of Liberia. As of yet, I haven’t achieved one. Astronaut, my parents didn’t have the money, Miss Liberia, hmmm…it doesn’t have the prestige it once did when I was 5. 1st Lady, that will be by the grace of God, Can’t even see the light lol, with God all things are possible.
5) I believe CHANGE is an eminent factor to society. Be it radical or whatever…….
6) I’m a talkative. I like to engage people in discussions. That’s how I learn.
7) I’m a Libra… so I can be trusted, I like justice and I’m a natural diplomat. I can be flirtatious
8) I love to travel, gives me a sense of comfort. Makes me feel like I’m breaking barrels or the world is in my hands... Don’t ask me how
9) I love to be in love… makes me feel safe. It’s my fall back or back up in times of trouble or stress.
10) I love my history (background) and is proud of it. If you know where you’re from, then you’ll know where you’re headed.
11) I love love Liberia. I do believe “The love of Liberty brought us together and not “The love of Liberty brought us here”
12) I love the raining season….
13) Some say I have a “big mouth” I say, I have “the guts”. If you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.
14) I love to fill a room with my presence, but doing so quietly…. Does that make me a show off… no!!!! because I do it quietly..lol
15) I love to be on top of my game… lol.. but who doesn’t???
16) I love friends.. having a lot of them makes me feel rich. I don’t ignore a friend request on Facebook or Hi5…lol I even opened a second page on Facebook..
17) I like to test the waters. I’m a little defiant. Like to speak out when no one wants to.
18) Some say I’m bold or too direct and I do shake hands like a guy (firm).
19) I like shoes.. Fashionable shoes. It brings out the sophistication of my old fashion style of dress. I like vintage clothing lol……They say I’m congo-rish
20) I know I can be what I wanna be… I do hope to bring great change or make my mark in the Liberian Foreign sector. Don’t forget, I’m a natural diplomat….lol
21) My favorite male artist is Chris Brown, I believe everyone should be given a second chance….
22) I would love to have a family someday, …. I thinking soon, if I find him. Can’t wait to have my first child. I don’t want to ever divorce. I’m lazy with home chores… when I was little, I use to tell my mom when I grow up I’ll pay people to do that for me. if my boss was doing all his job, I won’t have to work…lol
23) I lack patience for the weak and slow ones… I feel they can catch up later, if not now. Lets move on without them..
24) I want to teach some day. Share some of the knowledge I’ve acquired. I’ll try to work on #23 when I’m a teacher
25) I have a good appetite for food. I love to eat. People wonder where the food goes… I say, my big toe..lol…
26) I love to dance. It’s a good exercise for me. it’s good to work out while having fun. But I’m still not a good dancer.
27) The best part of a meal is the last one. I don’t give out my last food….lol
28) I can tolerate anything as long as it’ll get me what I want or to where I want. Play the fool to gain wisdom
29) I believe in God, I’m not holy holy, but he’s always there for me when I call. Shhh….I think he loves me, but doesn’t want to make it public.
30) I like to see my friends succeed in life, cause I know they will always be of help to me.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Market Places Are Their Homes and Market Stalls Their Beds
Beageorge Cooper
It all came to be known when a team of us from Youth Action International, headed by our Executive Director, Kimmie Weeks, embarked on a seven-hour drive from the Liberian border to Kono, Sierra Leone, to investigate for ourselves the plight of the street children of Kono. We worked to help the street children of Liberia, and now we were going to see what we could learn about the street children of Sierra Leone.
Upon our arrival, we made arrangements to meet and talk with the street children of Kono. We left our hotel rooms at twelve midnight and headed to the market on motorcycles. It was the best time to find them, because that’s when they need shelter.
The market was a huge rectangle covered with zinc and divided into stalls, a shelter with a roof and stalls but no walls. It doesn’t protect the children from splashing rain, wind, or heavy storms. The children sleep both under and above these stalls. They live and breathe dirt. We discovered that the street children of Kono have a whole government. They go out in shifts to “work” according to their ages. Makike, their head, is a polio victim who is known by everyone in the vicinity as “The Notorious One”.
Makike explained to us that children between the ages eight to sixteen go out during the day, from 7:00 AM till night to steal, and the older children go out at night. They all steal the same things—money, phones, food, spoons, dishes, jewelry, clothes, shoes etc.—and report these things to Makike before they are used or sold. If your property was stolen and you want it back, you contact Makike and get it back by paying a set amount for it.
The sad and wandering lives of these children and young people, from age eight to twenty-five, begin with different stories, but all have the same basis of abuse and abandonment. As we went on talking with the children, we learned how each one of them ended up on the streets. Some were taken from their villages by family members who promised their parents to send them to school and make life better for them. Instead, they were tuned into petty traders. At the end of a day’s sale, when they returned home and it was time for accountability, if there was a shortage in the reports, severe actions were taken against them.
Little children under the age of ten were sometimes starved for days; some were beaten mercilessly with electric wires or other harsh whipping instruments. Some of the scars left were so horrible, I shivered seeing them. Some of the children suffered broken bones. There was one young man whose hands were burned for returning more change to a customer. This brought tears pouring down my cheeks. Due to such treatment, the children left their homes to survive by stealing. Others had no parents (deceased) and had to survive on their own. Some were once in orphanages that closed due to lack of support.
We could see that these children were willing to do or participate in whatever was necessary to improve their lives. Just by hearing us speak of the hope of a new life, we could see joy in their faces and hear it the tone of their voices. They were tired of the cold wind against their bodies at night; tired of having nowhere to rest during the day; tired of knowing that some days there would be no food; tired of getting beaten down mercilessly when caught stealing; tired of being treated like rags.
The street children of Kono are crying out for help. They need a better life. They need places to live. They need to know how to sustain and provide for themselves legally. They know what they want. They are willing to go into orphanages that can provide their basic needs; they need skills and loans. They long to be loved and accepted and live a normal life. They long to fit into society. They are drowning and need to be rescued before it’s too late.
The meeting was a good, heartfelt and inspiring one, but I left there without a heart. I left my heart with them, a heart full of hope. Hope, that as they stretch out their hands to be helped, someone, somewhere, will grasp just the tips of their fingers. That someone will hear the last echo of their voices. That someone will reach out a rope and pull them out of that sinking sand.
It all came to be known when a team of us from Youth Action International, headed by our Executive Director, Kimmie Weeks, embarked on a seven-hour drive from the Liberian border to Kono, Sierra Leone, to investigate for ourselves the plight of the street children of Kono. We worked to help the street children of Liberia, and now we were going to see what we could learn about the street children of Sierra Leone.
Upon our arrival, we made arrangements to meet and talk with the street children of Kono. We left our hotel rooms at twelve midnight and headed to the market on motorcycles. It was the best time to find them, because that’s when they need shelter.
The market was a huge rectangle covered with zinc and divided into stalls, a shelter with a roof and stalls but no walls. It doesn’t protect the children from splashing rain, wind, or heavy storms. The children sleep both under and above these stalls. They live and breathe dirt. We discovered that the street children of Kono have a whole government. They go out in shifts to “work” according to their ages. Makike, their head, is a polio victim who is known by everyone in the vicinity as “The Notorious One”.
Makike explained to us that children between the ages eight to sixteen go out during the day, from 7:00 AM till night to steal, and the older children go out at night. They all steal the same things—money, phones, food, spoons, dishes, jewelry, clothes, shoes etc.—and report these things to Makike before they are used or sold. If your property was stolen and you want it back, you contact Makike and get it back by paying a set amount for it.
The sad and wandering lives of these children and young people, from age eight to twenty-five, begin with different stories, but all have the same basis of abuse and abandonment. As we went on talking with the children, we learned how each one of them ended up on the streets. Some were taken from their villages by family members who promised their parents to send them to school and make life better for them. Instead, they were tuned into petty traders. At the end of a day’s sale, when they returned home and it was time for accountability, if there was a shortage in the reports, severe actions were taken against them.
Little children under the age of ten were sometimes starved for days; some were beaten mercilessly with electric wires or other harsh whipping instruments. Some of the scars left were so horrible, I shivered seeing them. Some of the children suffered broken bones. There was one young man whose hands were burned for returning more change to a customer. This brought tears pouring down my cheeks. Due to such treatment, the children left their homes to survive by stealing. Others had no parents (deceased) and had to survive on their own. Some were once in orphanages that closed due to lack of support.
We could see that these children were willing to do or participate in whatever was necessary to improve their lives. Just by hearing us speak of the hope of a new life, we could see joy in their faces and hear it the tone of their voices. They were tired of the cold wind against their bodies at night; tired of having nowhere to rest during the day; tired of knowing that some days there would be no food; tired of getting beaten down mercilessly when caught stealing; tired of being treated like rags.
The street children of Kono are crying out for help. They need a better life. They need places to live. They need to know how to sustain and provide for themselves legally. They know what they want. They are willing to go into orphanages that can provide their basic needs; they need skills and loans. They long to be loved and accepted and live a normal life. They long to fit into society. They are drowning and need to be rescued before it’s too late.
The meeting was a good, heartfelt and inspiring one, but I left there without a heart. I left my heart with them, a heart full of hope. Hope, that as they stretch out their hands to be helped, someone, somewhere, will grasp just the tips of their fingers. That someone will hear the last echo of their voices. That someone will reach out a rope and pull them out of that sinking sand.
Market Places Are Their Homes and Market Stalls Their Beds
Beageorge Cooper
Beageorge Cooper 160 x 160It all came to be known when a team of us from Youth Action International, headed by our Executive Director, Kimmie Weeks, embarked on a seven-hour drive from the Liberian border to Kono, Sierra Leone, to investigate for ourselves the plight of the street children of Kono. We worked to help the street children of Liberia, and now we were going to see what we could learn about the street children of Sierra Leone.
Upon our arrival, we made arrangements to meet and talk with the street children of Kono. We left our hotel rooms at twelve midnight and headed to the market on motorcycles. It was the best time to find them, because that’s when they need shelter.
The market was a huge rectangle covered with zinc and divided into stalls, a shelter with a roof and stalls but no walls. It doesn’t protect the children from splashing rain, wind, or heavy storms. The children sleep both under and above these stalls. They live and breathe dirt. We discovered that the street children of Kono have a whole government. They go out in shifts to “work” according to their ages. Makike, their head, is a polio victim who is known by everyone in the vicinity as “The Notorious One”.
Makike explained to us that children between the ages eight to sixteen go out during the day, from 7:00 AM till night to steal, and the older children go out at night. They all steal the same things—money, phones, food, spoons, dishes, jewelry, clothes, shoes etc.—and report these things to Makike before they are used or sold. If your property was stolen and you want it back, you contact Makike and get it back by paying a set amount for it.
The sad and wandering lives of these children and young people, from age eight to twenty-five, begin with different stories, but all have the same basis of abuse and abandonment. As we went on talking with the children, we learned how each one of them ended up on the streets. Some were taken from their villages by family members who promised their parents to send them to school and make life better for them. Instead, they were tuned into petty traders. At the end of a day’s sale, when they returned home and it was time for accountability, if there was a shortage in the reports, severe actions were taken against them.
Little children under the age of ten were sometimes starved for days; some were beaten mercilessly with electric wires or other harsh whipping instruments. Some of the scars left were so horrible, I shivered seeing them. Some of the children suffered broken bones. There was one young man whose hands were burned for returning more change to a customer. This brought tears pouring down my cheeks. Due to such treatment, the children left their homes to survive by stealing. Others had no parents (deceased) and had to survive on their own. Some were once in orphanages that closed due to lack of support.
We could see that these children were willing to do or participate in whatever was necessary to improve their lives. Just by hearing us speak of the hope of a new life, we could see joy in their faces and hear it the tone of their voices. They were tired of the cold wind against their bodies at night; tired of having nowhere to rest during the day; tired of knowing that some days there would be no food; tired of getting beaten down mercilessly when caught stealing; tired of being treated like rags.
The street children of Kono are crying out for help. They need a better life. They need places to live. They need to know how to sustain and provide for themselves legally. They know what they want. They are willing to go into orphanages that can provide their basic needs; they need skills and loans. They long to be loved and accepted and live a normal life. They long to fit into society. They are drowning and need to be rescued before it’s too late.
The meeting was a good, heartfelt and inspiring one, but I left there without a heart. I left my heart with them, a heart full of hope. Hope, that as they stretch out their hands to be helped, someone, somewhere, will grasp just the tips of their fingers. That someone will hear the last echo of their voices. That someone will reach out a rope and pull them out of that sinking sand.
Beageorge Cooper 160 x 160It all came to be known when a team of us from Youth Action International, headed by our Executive Director, Kimmie Weeks, embarked on a seven-hour drive from the Liberian border to Kono, Sierra Leone, to investigate for ourselves the plight of the street children of Kono. We worked to help the street children of Liberia, and now we were going to see what we could learn about the street children of Sierra Leone.
Upon our arrival, we made arrangements to meet and talk with the street children of Kono. We left our hotel rooms at twelve midnight and headed to the market on motorcycles. It was the best time to find them, because that’s when they need shelter.
The market was a huge rectangle covered with zinc and divided into stalls, a shelter with a roof and stalls but no walls. It doesn’t protect the children from splashing rain, wind, or heavy storms. The children sleep both under and above these stalls. They live and breathe dirt. We discovered that the street children of Kono have a whole government. They go out in shifts to “work” according to their ages. Makike, their head, is a polio victim who is known by everyone in the vicinity as “The Notorious One”.
Makike explained to us that children between the ages eight to sixteen go out during the day, from 7:00 AM till night to steal, and the older children go out at night. They all steal the same things—money, phones, food, spoons, dishes, jewelry, clothes, shoes etc.—and report these things to Makike before they are used or sold. If your property was stolen and you want it back, you contact Makike and get it back by paying a set amount for it.
The sad and wandering lives of these children and young people, from age eight to twenty-five, begin with different stories, but all have the same basis of abuse and abandonment. As we went on talking with the children, we learned how each one of them ended up on the streets. Some were taken from their villages by family members who promised their parents to send them to school and make life better for them. Instead, they were tuned into petty traders. At the end of a day’s sale, when they returned home and it was time for accountability, if there was a shortage in the reports, severe actions were taken against them.
Little children under the age of ten were sometimes starved for days; some were beaten mercilessly with electric wires or other harsh whipping instruments. Some of the scars left were so horrible, I shivered seeing them. Some of the children suffered broken bones. There was one young man whose hands were burned for returning more change to a customer. This brought tears pouring down my cheeks. Due to such treatment, the children left their homes to survive by stealing. Others had no parents (deceased) and had to survive on their own. Some were once in orphanages that closed due to lack of support.
We could see that these children were willing to do or participate in whatever was necessary to improve their lives. Just by hearing us speak of the hope of a new life, we could see joy in their faces and hear it the tone of their voices. They were tired of the cold wind against their bodies at night; tired of having nowhere to rest during the day; tired of knowing that some days there would be no food; tired of getting beaten down mercilessly when caught stealing; tired of being treated like rags.
The street children of Kono are crying out for help. They need a better life. They need places to live. They need to know how to sustain and provide for themselves legally. They know what they want. They are willing to go into orphanages that can provide their basic needs; they need skills and loans. They long to be loved and accepted and live a normal life. They long to fit into society. They are drowning and need to be rescued before it’s too late.
The meeting was a good, heartfelt and inspiring one, but I left there without a heart. I left my heart with them, a heart full of hope. Hope, that as they stretch out their hands to be helped, someone, somewhere, will grasp just the tips of their fingers. That someone will hear the last echo of their voices. That someone will reach out a rope and pull them out of that sinking sand.
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