Monrovia, Liberia - Even though I consider myself knowledgeable about Liberia and ebola, I continue to learn so much by being here on the ground. The global effort to combat Ebola has cost $4.3 billion to date, more than twice as much as the $1.58 billion needed to improve healthcare systems in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. Crisis reaction instead of prevention wake-up call.
Many of the Ebola victims are children, some of them as young as 4 months old. FFW Liberia is working with the MacDella Cooper Foundation to secure schooling for young orphans.
Firestone has been operating in Liberia for nearly 90 years. After many years of inaction, they finally took over a government secondary school on their plantation recently causing the academic achievement to rise. Isn’t it time for something else now other than supporting one secondary school?
Coca-Cola, the other major US company operating in Liberia, was founded in 1886. Liberia was founded as a Republic in 1847, making Liberia older than Coke which has been operating here since 1949. What is Coke’s legacy here?
I started my day in Liberia with these thoughts and I must say outrage, having no idea what was in store… then more unbelievable emotion…
My first stop today was at the ELWA School, the school on the campus of the epicenter of Ebola treatment. I have been a frequent visitor to the school over the years; my “Liberian son” Moses attends and is now the smartest student in the 9th grade class. It was with “complete and utter disappointment” heartbreak that I went to the school today and saw Moses for the first time since last August. I have been supporting Moses in school and in all ways since he entered my life Christmas Day 2006 for the first time at age 8. He had never been to school and was then selling water on the streets to support his illiterate family. Since then I have invested so much in Moses as have so many people I have brought to Liberia. Moses initially did so well, but has for the last couple of years chosen stealing and lying instead of truth and appreciation. There are no more chances for Moses now. Working with his mentor Pastor Williams and former Vice Principal of his school and “mother” until last February Siakor, Moses will now decide by his actions from this moment forward whether he wants to be an educated and contributing member of his society and country or a criminal. He is at a point of no return. I never could have imagined “complete and utter disappointment,” as the Vice President wisely taught me years ago now, would ever apply to Moses or several others associated with the work here since 2006… I realize I cannot take this development work personally; I am powerless over other people’s behavior regardless of my love for and commitment to them. Huge life lesson here in Liberia; my commitment to this country and work unwavering.
I next spent time at a program at City Hall honoring the heroes of Ebola eradication under the distinguished patronage of dear friend His Excellency the Vice President Joseph N. Boakai, Republic of Liberia. We have spoken since I returned, but today was our first in-person connection. I love him and all he does and stands for in support of his country; I pray he will be the next President. Pure joy to be greeted by him and his dear and special staff, including drivers and security staff. I am home.
Next the film crew and I traveled to the Minister of Gender and Development (why doesn’t every country have such a ministry?) for time with a dear member of the Foundation for Women for more than five years and a handicapped rights’ activist, Samrica. It is time for me to help her in a bigger way; I committed.
Finally we went to the Liberian National Police Headquarters to meet up with the investigator who handled the police investigation last year after death threats here to me and members of our FFWL team; case still open. Ebola put all routine police matters on hold, including this case, and I pray that all of that is now long past-history.
A day. Big day. Emotional day. Hopeful day. Joyful day. It ended back here at the Kendeja with Liberian friends and staff members Daniel and Joyce. I explained the five themes that the documentary “Liberians for Liberia, Ebola and Beyond” will cover – health, financial, education, Liberian cultural fabric, and orphans/children. There is too much to say about our dear and heart-felt hours’ long conversation… So I am taking my vegetable rice outside my villa door to sit by the sea and have a gratitude conversation with God… more soon about this…
As Daniel and I agreed tonight, the words of one of my meditation teachers is the Liberia reality now: It is not want I wanted, but it is what I have got; I don’t know if it is good or bad, I will have to wait to find out.
Trust God. Surrender. Every moment. Survival. I am in awe of the human spirit in Liberia… More words from Daniel soon in another blog after our very impactful conversation this evening – a Liberian’s testimony about reality now – complete cultural change…
Please keep believing and please keep sharing this story of our human family here in Liberia and West Africa. The prejudice now is devastating, so impactful here. We have the opportunity to change that – now… care – share – give one market woman here a loan of $100 to restart her life – put one child in school for $100 – answer one of my blog’s with a “We are the World” message – please…
With love and gratitude always ~ Deborah
Firestone has been operating in Liberia for nearly 90 years. After many years of inaction, they finally took over a government secondary school on their plantation recently causing the academic achievement to rise. Isn’t it time for something else now other than supporting one secondary school?
Coca-Cola, the other major US company operating in Liberia, was founded in 1886. Liberia was founded as a Republic in 1847, making Liberia older than Coke which has been operating here since 1949. What is Coke’s legacy here?
I started my day in Liberia with these thoughts and I must say outrage, having no idea what was in store… then more unbelievable emotion…
My first stop today was at the ELWA School, the school on the campus of the epicenter of Ebola treatment. I have been a frequent visitor to the school over the years; my “Liberian son” Moses attends and is now the smartest student in the 9th grade class. It was with “complete and utter disappointment” heartbreak that I went to the school today and saw Moses for the first time since last August. I have been supporting Moses in school and in all ways since he entered my life Christmas Day 2006 for the first time at age 8. He had never been to school and was then selling water on the streets to support his illiterate family. Since then I have invested so much in Moses as have so many people I have brought to Liberia. Moses initially did so well, but has for the last couple of years chosen stealing and lying instead of truth and appreciation. There are no more chances for Moses now. Working with his mentor Pastor Williams and former Vice Principal of his school and “mother” until last February Siakor, Moses will now decide by his actions from this moment forward whether he wants to be an educated and contributing member of his society and country or a criminal. He is at a point of no return. I never could have imagined “complete and utter disappointment,” as the Vice President wisely taught me years ago now, would ever apply to Moses or several others associated with the work here since 2006… I realize I cannot take this development work personally; I am powerless over other people’s behavior regardless of my love for and commitment to them. Huge life lesson here in Liberia; my commitment to this country and work unwavering.
I next spent time at a program at City Hall honoring the heroes of Ebola eradication under the distinguished patronage of dear friend His Excellency the Vice President Joseph N. Boakai, Republic of Liberia. We have spoken since I returned, but today was our first in-person connection. I love him and all he does and stands for in support of his country; I pray he will be the next President. Pure joy to be greeted by him and his dear and special staff, including drivers and security staff. I am home.
Next the film crew and I traveled to the Minister of Gender and Development (why doesn’t every country have such a ministry?) for time with a dear member of the Foundation for Women for more than five years and a handicapped rights’ activist, Samrica. It is time for me to help her in a bigger way; I committed.
Finally we went to the Liberian National Police Headquarters to meet up with the investigator who handled the police investigation last year after death threats here to me and members of our FFWL team; case still open. Ebola put all routine police matters on hold, including this case, and I pray that all of that is now long past-history.
A day. Big day. Emotional day. Hopeful day. Joyful day. It ended back here at the Kendeja with Liberian friends and staff members Daniel and Joyce. I explained the five themes that the documentary “Liberians for Liberia, Ebola and Beyond” will cover – health, financial, education, Liberian cultural fabric, and orphans/children. There is too much to say about our dear and heart-felt hours’ long conversation… So I am taking my vegetable rice outside my villa door to sit by the sea and have a gratitude conversation with God… more soon about this…
As Daniel and I agreed tonight, the words of one of my meditation teachers is the Liberia reality now: It is not want I wanted, but it is what I have got; I don’t know if it is good or bad, I will have to wait to find out.
Trust God. Surrender. Every moment. Survival. I am in awe of the human spirit in Liberia… More words from Daniel soon in another blog after our very impactful conversation this evening – a Liberian’s testimony about reality now – complete cultural change…
Please keep believing and please keep sharing this story of our human family here in Liberia and West Africa. The prejudice now is devastating, so impactful here. We have the opportunity to change that – now… care – share – give one market woman here a loan of $100 to restart her life – put one child in school for $100 – answer one of my blog’s with a “We are the World” message – please…
With love and gratitude always ~ Deborah
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