Monrovia, Liberia - I have been sitting by the sea – being quiet by the sea – praying by the sea, for the first time in the days I have been here. It rained this afternoon, a brief monsoon passed through, the early evening clouds now plentiful… There is nothing like the African sky. The bigness. The clouds. The wonder…
My emotions are extreme. Such joy to be back in Liberia and to see so many people I treasure alive and well. Such grief at the losses of so many lives marked at the new National Cemetery. And those extremes are present in every conversation I have here – great joy and great grief.
My emotions are extreme. Such joy to be back in Liberia and to see so many people I treasure alive and well. Such grief at the losses of so many lives marked at the new National Cemetery. And those extremes are present in every conversation I have here – great joy and great grief.
I spent hours today at a place beyond dear to my heart for almost a decade, FSHAM School for Girls. Such joy to see 366 students back in school – and to reconnect with Principal Sarah and Accountant Charles. My film crew documented IT Joseph in the computer labs with so many girls. This first “high technology school for girls” in the country of Liberia will be a model for many others. More thanks to our education partner Edify for helping us to make this happen!
Sarah and I also spoke of the sadness with hope – “Ebola is an agent of destruction and an agent of change,” she said. Yes it is true now that no student shares water or meals, no one trusts or touches particularly strangers, everyone is more vigilant about hygiene… perhaps a life-changing blessing will come of this crisis…
Enrollment is strong considering the crisis – 366 girls with more coming every day. The budget calls for 400 which she is confident they will meet. Hope despite tragedy. And amazing faith and gratitude – “Only by the grace of God did we survive.” That is the only sentiment stated everywhere. Complete trust. Complete gratitude. The rest of us on this planet can learn so much from the people of Liberia…
Sarah told me one very interesting story as we reconnected while the film crew did their job. She has one unique student in the 2nd grade – a mother of several children who are also in primary school, though at another school. Her husband pays her school fees and the teacher and administrators are working with her, but she sits in the 2nd grade class everyday now though in her 20’s – she wants to learn. Amazing.
And then a conversation with Gladys. Gladys and I connected some years ago as she is the featured Liberian woman in the documentary film “Camp 72” www.camp72.com produced by my dear friend Seema Mathur. Gladys is a member and group leader of the Foundation for Women Liberia. We have spoken since I arrived, she has been to our office, but we have not connected in person yet unfortunately. She traveled out of town for Decoration Day, we have missed each other several times. Hopefully we will finally connect in person tomorrow.
Gladys has been robbed twice recently, everything taken. I question why she continues to stay where she is; she insists she must. I will investigate in Red Light tomorrow. I asked early this evening if she has a mattress to sleep on tonight? Yes. “Do you have food?” “No,” she said without emotion or trauma; as certainly this has been the case so many times in her life. OMG why is this happening in the 21st century of this current humanity? Why are people without food?
I cannot change the reality for all who are suffering. I can change and have changed the reality for thousands in Liberia; tomorrow Gladys. “By the grace of God,” as Sarah says with such gratitude… so blessed to be here and be of service…
With love and great gratitude for your support and caring ~ Deborah
Sarah and I also spoke of the sadness with hope – “Ebola is an agent of destruction and an agent of change,” she said. Yes it is true now that no student shares water or meals, no one trusts or touches particularly strangers, everyone is more vigilant about hygiene… perhaps a life-changing blessing will come of this crisis…
Enrollment is strong considering the crisis – 366 girls with more coming every day. The budget calls for 400 which she is confident they will meet. Hope despite tragedy. And amazing faith and gratitude – “Only by the grace of God did we survive.” That is the only sentiment stated everywhere. Complete trust. Complete gratitude. The rest of us on this planet can learn so much from the people of Liberia…
Sarah told me one very interesting story as we reconnected while the film crew did their job. She has one unique student in the 2nd grade – a mother of several children who are also in primary school, though at another school. Her husband pays her school fees and the teacher and administrators are working with her, but she sits in the 2nd grade class everyday now though in her 20’s – she wants to learn. Amazing.
And then a conversation with Gladys. Gladys and I connected some years ago as she is the featured Liberian woman in the documentary film “Camp 72” www.camp72.com produced by my dear friend Seema Mathur. Gladys is a member and group leader of the Foundation for Women Liberia. We have spoken since I arrived, she has been to our office, but we have not connected in person yet unfortunately. She traveled out of town for Decoration Day, we have missed each other several times. Hopefully we will finally connect in person tomorrow.
Gladys has been robbed twice recently, everything taken. I question why she continues to stay where she is; she insists she must. I will investigate in Red Light tomorrow. I asked early this evening if she has a mattress to sleep on tonight? Yes. “Do you have food?” “No,” she said without emotion or trauma; as certainly this has been the case so many times in her life. OMG why is this happening in the 21st century of this current humanity? Why are people without food?
I cannot change the reality for all who are suffering. I can change and have changed the reality for thousands in Liberia; tomorrow Gladys. “By the grace of God,” as Sarah says with such gratitude… so blessed to be here and be of service…
With love and great gratitude for your support and caring ~ Deborah
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