The Newsletter of UNV Volunteers working in support of Peace and Development in Liberia

Volunteering for Liberia-A Rainbow of Diversity

One Vision

Lucky Girl receives books bought

with a grant from proceeds of the

Garden Project, Zwedru City,

Grand Gedeh County, Liberia

Volume 1, Issue 2

01 July 2010

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It is my pleasure to see this second edition of One Vision focusing on how Liberian volunteers are

contributing to peace and development in their own country.

The importance of Liberians working to entrench peace and accelerate development cannot be

overstated. By working to change and better their circumstances, I am confident that Liberia will

increasingly become dependent on its own people to maximize the dividends from the presence

of the United Nations and other development partners.

A number of young people volunteer for Liberia through the National Youth Volunteer Service,

sponsored and guided by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and supported by UNDP. The volunteers

have been making significant impact in several sectors, notably education and agriculture. For

instance, the success of the Garden Project, a livelihood project for people with disabilities in

Zwedru City, Grand Gedeh County that started in collaboration with the UNV Programme, has

depended on the technical input of the NYVS volunteers whose support was critical in providing

participants with technical agricultural skills.

The Volunteers for Peace Programme, also UNDP supported, has made significant inroads in

several communities across Liberia in the areas of peace and reconciliation. Their primary

objective has been to diffuse potential conflicts at community level through transferring skills for

conflict diffusion and non-violent resolution strategies to the youth. Non-governmental and

community based organizations like the United Youth Movement Against Violence are working

diligently at grassroots level in areas such as education and community mobilization. They are

proving to be strong agents of peace and development in Liberia.

Volunteer programmes, both non-government and community-based, are deepening the roots of

peace in Liberia. Their role in sustaining the peace for national development will grow in

importance as UNMIL and the Government of Liberia accelerate the transition planning for the

peacekeeping mission. The UN family will also undergo significant changes in the short to medium-term, as “Delivering as One” in Liberia becomes a reality. In both cases, Liberians will assume

greater responsibility for shaping the future of their country.

That is why I am particularly pleased that young Liberians, through the NYVS, have already taken

the lead in shaping the future. Through transfer of knowledge, the UNV Volunteers and others are

helping to build capacity for the task ahead. I look forward to seeing the Liberian Diaspora also

volunteering their time, energy and resources toward the noble aims of the NYVS.

Liberians working towards the growth and development of their country, supported byinternational partners, is what “Volunteering for Liberia” is all about.

Moustapha SoumaréDeputy Special Representative of the Secretary General

Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator

UNDP Resident Representative

Message from:

Mr. Moustapha SoumaréDSRSG (R&G)/

Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator & UNDP Resident Representative

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The spirit of volunteerism for peace and development is taking a firm root in Liberiansociety as both Liberians and UNV Volunteers work together in an attempt to bring lastingpeace to Liberia. The National Youth Volunteer Service (NYVS) and the Volunteers forPeace Program (VPP) have become part of the peace and development process as bothprograms promote peace building initiatives, conflict diffusion and non-violent resolution

strategies. Volunteers have expressed immense satisfaction from the results for the servicesthat they have rendered and the impact that they have made in rural areas. While someof them have brought about social cohesion through peace building campaigns, othershave increased child enrollment in rural elementary schools.

Volunteerism is a special and important aspect of human development. It is dedication toduty without monetary compensation. Liberians are taking the initiative in working daily toimprove the lives of people in their communities. Some are actively participating in conflictresolution, health care, education and agriculture. We wish to thank them for theirdedicated services to Liberia. We encourage them to continue their sacrificial services. Wealso commend our UNV Volunteers for building the capacity of their Liberian counterparts.

The shaping of the Liberian society is the responsibility of all Liberians. We need more localvolunteers to support conflict diffusion initiatives, education initiatives, health care servicesand agricultural development. In the long term, volunteerism will promote lasting peaceand development.

Regardless of age, sex and ethnicity, Liberians are encouraged to join the volunteermovement and become agents of change in our society.

Volunteering for Liberia Mr. Isaac Bropleh

Message from the Programme Manager

National Youth Volunteer Service (Liberia)

Isaac Bropleh

In this issue:Message from DSRSG

Mustapha Soumaré

Volunteering for Liberia-

Isaac Bropleh, PM, NYVS

Triangular Solidarity in serving

Humanity

Volunteers for Peace (VPP)

I Volunteer for Liberia

Advocacy Update

Gratitude to the Land,

NUNV Korlu Johnson

Reflections

Parting words

Laud Tamakloe

Joanne Blake –Bissoon

Volunteer for Liberia

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The heart of volunteerism depicts service to humanity and solidarity in oneness to reach its

ultimate result. Three National UNV Volunteers within the agencies of United Nations

Development Program (UNDP), United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and World

Food Organization (WFP) assigned in Maryland County have harmonized functions to project

volunteerism through collaborative efforts in support of sustained national growth and

development.

Mr. Zay-Zay Miller who serves as Programme Officer for the National Youth Volunteer Service

(NYVS) Programme exclusively coordinates the activities of fourteen (14) National Volunteers

working in the areas of health, education, agriculture and gender in Harper, Maryland County.

Mr. Jacob Dorbor, NUNV volunteer with the UNHCR, is the Internal Data Processing Clerk and

deals with holistic numeric data collection analysis and information storage on the influx of the

refugee population into the south-east county of Maryland. Community Parent and Teacher

Association (PTA) Mobilizer, NUNV volunteer with the WFP, Mr. Robert Hiama conducts training

and has established a Food Management Committee to monitor and ensure that school feeding

is not entirely controlled by schools administrators within Maryland and Grand Kru Counties.

The three NUNV volunteers jointly collaborate and spend a lot of time and energy towards

planning and mobilizing volunteers in rural communities to inspire them to work with them for the

development of their communities through the work of their individual agencies and otheractivities. Most important is the promotion of volunteerism as a tool for youth development.

Triangular solidarity in

Serving Humanity Zay-zay MillerNYVS Programme Officer

Maryland County

L to R: William Wallace- President Maryland Youth Association, Zay-Zay Miller- NYVS Programme Officer and Aaron Collins- President Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY)

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The National Youth Volunteer Service (NYVS) program is entirely youth oriented and has been

working with communities and institutions to secure food security through the facilitation of

community agriculture workshops to twenty eight (28) local farmers in Barraken community

engaged in vegetable farming. NYVS volunteers have provided critical technical support inthe area of field training and techniques to boost high yield of crops to the communities.

They have also worked digging channels, clearing/burning and de-stumping ten (10)

hectares of swamp land for the Philadelphia Expansion Project rice development. The

project is being implemented by the Danish Refugee Council with funding from the

European Commission Humanitarian Aid (ECHA) and involves over one hundred (100) plus

farmers.

The volunteers‟ push for community youth development has inspired fourteen (14)

communities and two (2) youth related groups in Harper City and the surrounding towns of

Rock Town, Cavalla, and Gbolobo Town to voluntarily conduct clean-up campaigns in all

locations with over five hundred (500) plus youth being mobilized.

This is a clear manifestation that the concept and vision of V4D- volunteerism for

development- is impacting the minds of the communities in which the NUNVs and NYVs

serve. Though challenges are great, they are confident of success. The primary objective is

the sustained development of the minds of youth which will in turn have a profound effect

on the growth and development in education, economic activities, culture and social

development.

The NUNVs serving in Maryland County are constantly aware that as the country progresses

from a state of „developmental obscurity‟, volunteerism will play a major role in the settingthe pace of development of Liberia.

NYVS volunteers at annual retreat in Rock Town in 2009

Triangular solidarity in Serving Humanity cont’d

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On October 5th, 2009, young Liberian volunteers were paired and deployed in the 15 counties

of Liberia, after completing a one-month induction training on peace building in Monrovia as

Peace Ambassadors for the Volunteers for Peace Programme (VPP). VPP aims primarily at

diffusing potential conflicts at community levels through skills transfer on conflict diffusion and

non-violent resolution strategies to youth. Thereby, improving mutual trust, social cohesion and

community relations among youth. Thirty-one (31) youth volunteers were recruited- out of more

than 800 applicants- to be answerable for identifying and diffusing potentially violent conflicts

in communities.

The Peace Ambassadors are expected to

motivate youth in communities to recognize

themselves as change agents and to take

active part in the initiative through various

activities such as peace talk, radio talk shows,

awareness campaigns promoting peace,

sports activities, and training of trainers. All

these activities are planned, coordinated,

organized and implemented by VPP volunteers

with the support of County Coordinators from

the Ministry of Youth and Sport, Civil Affair

Officers (UNMIL), and the Federation of Liberian

Youth (FLY). With the assistance of these

partner organizations, the Peace Ambassadors

mobilize the youth, access target communities,and plan / implement activities.

Volunteers for Peace Programme (VPP)

The Peace Ambassadors have visited a number of communities within respective counties to

announce their presence and role as well as to explain the objectives of VPP. They visited

schools and youth groups to convey their peace messages and have done peace talks on

Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) that attracted more than 6000 youth participants

nationwide and raised awareness on SGBV.

In January 2010, they conducted Training of Trainers (ToT) in provincial capitals, targeting 700

potential youth leaders selected from the various communities visited. ToTs were held for two

days and gave sessions on mechanism of conflict, conflict management skills, gender- issues,

human rights and rule of law, facilitation and event management skills.

After the training, Youth Peace Committees

were formed by districts, each committee

consisting of six (6) youth leaders who

participated in the ToTs. The Ambassadors

and the Committee members conducted

conflict analysis of each community. The

analysis focused on conflicting parties, their

interests and needs, the cause of conflict,

and its effects. Based on the results, both the

Ambassadors and the Committee members

planned activities to make youth more

aware of the important role they can play in

resolving problems and building unity in theircommunities.

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The first activity planned and implemented was the peace campaign. 60 campaigns were

implemented throughout the country with 3,700 people participating in total. Communications

tools chosen for the campaigns to raise people‟s awareness on identified topic areas were

selected based on what best matched problems in each community. These included

parade/march/walk, clean-up activities, talk-shops, drama, sporting activities, etc. Topics

focused on included youth unity, early marriage, drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, youthinvolvement in decision-making, environment, education, volunteerism and girls education.

Three more ToTs were organized by the ambassadors‟ targeting the youth in communities

where the Youth Peace Committees were established. This time, the committee members

participated in the ToTs as facilitators. The ambassadors‟ knowledge on peace building was

transferred to youth in communities through the committee members trained in the first ToTs.

Implementing these activities strengthened the ambassadors‟ organization and facilitation

skills. “I feel happy and satisfied with what I am doing as a Peace Ambassador and I like

working for the young people,” said Sam Juwillie, Peace Ambassador in Nimba county, afterfinishing a two-day ToT workshop in Tappita district.

The ToTs held in the districts also gives the

committee members an actual opportunity to

enhance their coordination and facilitation

skills through working with the ambassadors.

Joseph Beyan, one of the Youth Peace

Committee members said, “It is really

beneficial that the Peace Ambassadors did

the ToT in our community and I am happy that

I am contributing to it.” The peace

ambassadors will complete their assignment in

a few months, however, the skills and good

spirit that the youth are gaining from the

Peace Ambassadors will remain incommunities.

VPP cont’d

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To me volunteering is the simplest way of making changes in one‟s community. Impacting others

and at the same time one is given the chance to gain important professional experience.

Volunteering also provides the chance to do humanitarian work while optimizing work

opportunities. It exposes you to other cultures and traditions. It is a great combination.

My first concrete work experience was volunteering for the Liberian National Red Cross. I

volunteered as a Peer Educator, Child Protection Officer and a Nurse‟s Aid from 1997-2001.

During these years I was in high school and all of these activities were done in displacement

camps working with internally displaced people, returnees and refugees.

My second experience volunteering was after I finished my studies at AME University. I

volunteered as a Youth Volunteer for the Liberian National Youth Volunteer Service in Grand

Gedeh County outside of Monrovia. I was teaching at a Public School where I organized the

Girls Club, carried on GBV/SEA Training and built upon the student/teachers/community

relationships. I was also very motivated to let the local community, especially the women and

youths, know that they needed to be more proactive and engaged in the shaping of their own

lives by being more aware of their possibilities and the environment. Volunteering in this way

shed some more light and gave me more insight into the past, present and future. I feel very

proud and happy because this program was my country‟s own program and to be part of the

first group gave me the ability to volunteer in other organizations and other countries.

Today I still feel very strongly about volunteering and I believe I was given a great opportunity

when I became a National UNV Volunteer. Currently, I am working as a NUNV with the United

Nations World Food Program as a Community Mobilizer/Field Monitor Assistant in Nimba and

Bong Counties in Public Schools that are on the Schools Feeding Programme. I am a proud UNV

Volunteer and a member of a wonderful team working on improving the School FeedingProgram in these counties.

I Volunteer for Liberia

Rhoda

overseeing

the delivery of

rice in Nimba

County,

Liberia

Rhoda Addy Neufville NUNV Community Mobilizer

Bong & Nimba Counties, Liberia

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I work under the direct supervision of the Head of the WFP Sub-Office and in close

collaboration with the School Feeding Unit of Ministry of Education and its partners. I am

directly responsible for building the capacity of Parent Teacher Associations and the

community to support the School Feeding Implementation Programme in all targeted

primary schools in Nimba and Bong counties. I coordinate and monitor the implementation

of the assistance programme at the local level, in close collaboration with the cooperating

partners as well as monitor and review commodity movements such as food deliveries,

storage, and transport.

Part of my job is to verify whether the amounts have been properly recorded or damaged. I

supervise the efficient distribution of food items at the site and ensure proper distribution of

entitlements, verify appropriate entitlements are distributed and provide feedback to

Programme Officers and others on the distribution. I assist in the conduct of regular meetings

of community leaders and cooperating partners on the commodity, distributionarrangements, food entitlements and other relevant issues. WFP School feeding Programme

is in 226 Public Schools in Bong County and 391 Public Schools in Nimba County.

I am passionate about volunteering for Liberia. I feel that if Liberians volunteer ‘small small‟

for the development of their own communities then we will truly be on our way to making

this country a place to be proud. I believe that it must start with us, the citizens, showing a

willingness to sacrifice to make this country what it could be by volunteering for thedevelopment of Liberia .

Rhoda with students in Bong County, Liberia

I Volunteer for Liberia cont’d

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Liberia’s childrenThe UNV Programme Liberia, in its quest to become more involved in V4D projects, has decided

to give support to a school building development project for the Kingsley Lington Elementary

School in collaboration with local community basted organization, the United Youth Movement

Against Violence (UYMAV). Situated in Louisiana Township, Paynesville, Liberia, the school

commenced operations in September 2009.

The school’s founder, Mr. Sabatoe Neufville, Chairman of UYMAV, had gone into the area to

purchase land for the construction of the headquarters of the UYMAV where he observed that

school aged children were not attending school. Upon further investigation it was revealed that

the distance to and from school made it dangerous for the little ones traveling from the Boley

Inter-Estate to either Fendell or Mount Barclay for school. The establishment of the Kingsley

Lington Elementary School was necessitated by the eager desire of the children LouisianaTownship and its surrounding towns/villages, to go to school within their immediate surroundings.

There are a number of challenges currently facing the Kingsley Lington Elementary School

such as:

•The lack of a properly appointed learning environment

•The lack of space for recreational activities as well as classroom congestion

•Lack of fully qualified teachers and teacher shortage

•Salary empowerment of teaching staff

•Learning aids, books etc...•Upgrade of sanitary conditions needed, hand pump, toilet facilities etc…

Unless strategic mechanisms are put in place to remedy the situation the continued

existence of the school will be in question. It is against this background that UYMAV has

embarked on a fundraising initiative with the view that the board will expeditiously endorse its implementation so as to secure a new campus for the school.

Children participate in a function to mark the end the first school year of the KL Elementary School

Advocacy Update

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Already, land for the construction of a new school building has been acquired within the

community by UYMAV. UNV Liberia approached American architect, Sergey Olhovsky, who has

been working on the new US Embassy building in Monrovia, to volunteer his services to do

concept drawings for the project and Sunil Jacob, Chief of Planning and Design, UNMILEngineering Section has agreed to volunteer time to assist with the project as well.

Architect Sergey Olhovsky visits with children of the KL Elementary School, Louisiana Township, Paynesville, Liberia

The UNV Programme

Liberia, UYMAV and its

partners intend to work

closely to develop a

hollistic community

development project that

yields measurable results as

it relates to meeting the

education, peace building

and development needs of

the community. Donations

are welcome.

Children of the KL Elementary School with Sabatoe Neufville(far left), Kingsley Ighobor, Head UNMIL Community Outreach Unit (Back Centre), American Architect Sergey Olhovsky and teachers ( right) on site visit to school in June 2010

Advocacy Update

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Disabled people typically share the profile of the general poor in Grand Gedeh County. However,

because of their disabilities they are more vulnerable to poverty, their experience of poverty is

more intense, and their opportunities to escape from poverty are more limited. In an effort to

promote the livelihood of people with disabilities, Chairman of the Grand Gedeh Disability

Association, Shard Anthony and UNV Human Rights Officer, Emmanuel Bryma MOMOH, the

dynamo behind The Garden Project, are now using the proceeds of the project in this regard.

The impact of the project has been substantial. Since the project was initiated a number of

gardens have sprung up around Zwedru City in Grand Gedeh County, with a number of the

communities recognizing the importance of growing their own food voluntarily starting vegetable

gardens. The project has expanded from the initial two small gardens to four. The largest being

three acre plot of land located in Zwedru Sea just outside Zwedru City. The standard of living of

the participants has improved in that they now have some income from the sale of the produce to

better the lives of their families and to reinvest in the project.

Most significantly is how the proceeds from the project have funded individual livelihoods projects

in micro-enterprise development and education of participating members of the disabled group.

The intended purpose is for all the disability persons to benefit from grants out of proceeds.

However, the executive members select four people at a time as beneficiaries.

Victor Cole Victor Cole is a polio victim and an active member of the Grand Gedeh Disability

Association. He returned from exile three years ago to his home in Grand Gedeh County. While in

exile Victor learned how to repair shoes but upon his return, he had difficulty accessing the rights

tools and materials to work with. Proceeds from the Garden Project have been used to empower

Victor with the purchase of new working tools and materials on his behalf in an effort to promotehis livelihood.

HoFO, Grand Gedeh County, Thomas, Mtaisi, and Emmanuel hand over new shoe making

tools to Victor Cole at his place of business in Zwedru City

Impact of The Garden ProjectLivelihood Promotion for People with Disabilities

Advocacy Update

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Tailey Zeyon

Tailey, an amputee is also an

active member of the disabled

group who already had a shoe

making shop. He wanted to

expand and was able to secure

a grant from the proceeds of

the Garden Project for the

purchase of additional tools andworking materials.

Lucky Girl

Lucky Girl (that is her name), a 9 year old girl is an

amputee with one hand cutoff. She is a student and

an active member of the Grand Gedeh Disability

Association. She received a grant for school books and

learning materials and toys from the Garden Project

proceeds as demonstrated support for the educationof girls.

Old Ma Esther Gbleh

Old ma Esther Gbleh is visually

impaired and committed tothe Garden Project’s success.

Funds from the project

supported her to start a small

business selling coal in

enhancing her livelihood. She

noted that the targeted

support has been a majorturning point in her life.

Impact of The Garden Project cont’dAdvocacy Update

Emmanuel hands over tools to Tailey

Lucky Girl

Ma Esther chats HoFO, Grand Gedeh County, Thomas, Mtaisi, and Emmanuel

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Mind: Lu wake up!

Lu: Who‟s there-who is calling me (she responded)

Mind: It‟s me, your best friend the mind. Lu, look I have this to say – there is

something you must do for your country to complete your task as a professional child of this nation.

Lu: What could that be?

Mind: Volunteerism, volunteerism Lu. You must volunteer your service to this

nation Liberia –the land that is crying for the services of its citizens.

•Aland that is bleeding sick and needs medical attention.

•Aland that is hungry and needs agriculturalists

•A land that is illiterate and needs educators.

•A land that is broken down and needs masons and carpenters to rebuild it.

•A land that has been violated, its inhabitants left traumatized, needing social

workers to rehabilitate their minds.

•A land that has been exploited economically and needs economists to help revitalize and rebuild its economy.

The land is crying

This is the very land that gave breath to your forefathers, grandparents,

parents and even YOOOU…

It has hosted you right from the moment you were born into this world.

It gave you the opportunity to crawl, walk and even go to school

Now that you are a professional do something- oh Lu do something ( crying

bitterly). Oh Lu please, please let the land feel your worth; love, care, concern

and professionalism.

Lu: I must be grateful to my country, “Sweet land of liberty.” This land that has

served and done so much for me. It needs more than what you‟ve just

visualized.

I must pay my courtesy to this land. I must serve. I must volunteer for Liberia

GRATITUDETO THE LANDNUNV Korlu Johnson.

Korlu

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Volunteerism: Lost and Found

In the July 2010 edition of UNMIL Today is an inspiring story titled: Vegetables to help the

vulnerable. The story is about UN Volunteers who are assisting the physically challenged in

Grand Gedeh County.

Added to helping the vulnerable in Grand Gedeh who hitherto had no regular means of

income except to beg for alms for most of them, UNVs have been supporting activities of the

less privileged with assistance to School for the Blind as one of its main projects. And whenever

volunteers organize social gatherings, the core motivation is always constant: to use the

proceeds to assist Liberians.

Whether in the home, workplace or the like, to volunteer is to recognize a need, with an

attitude of social responsibility. This means a volunteer is someone who gives time, effort and

talent to a need or cause without profiting monetarily. This is precisely what the UNVs serving in

Grand Gedeh are doing: helping the needy.

Until recently, many Liberians say the culture of volunteerism has been fast becoming a thing

of the past with immediate financial gain as the primary reason why especially the youth,

labeled the future leaders, undertake anything. During a regional conference on volunteerism

held in Monrovia in May 2009, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf pointed out that volunteerism is

something which has been lost over the years. The Liberian leader urged the youth to engagein activities not just for personal financial gains but also to render service to one’s country

which enhances the character of a person and gives satisfaction that money cannot buy.

On her first official visit to Liberia in July 2009, United Nations Development Programme

Administrator Helen Clark joined Liberian government ministers and community leaders tolaunch a youth volunteer initiative, “Volunteers for Peace”. Clark described the programme

funded by the UN Peace building Fund as a mechanism for promoting peace and

reconciliation at the grassroots level.

The programme stems from the success of the National Youth Volunteer Service (NYVS) which

was launched more than two years ago. The NYVS is spearheaded by the Ministry of Youth

and Sports and funded by UNDP and the UNV - Bonn, as a pilot project of what is to become a

permanent structure.

Recently, the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) Youth Volunteer

programme was launched in Monrovia in which a group of women and men aged between

18 and 35 years from ECOWAS countries are expected to help to consolidate peace,

recovery, national reconciliation and rehabilitation in crisis-affected communities. The pilot

phase is supported by the African Development Bank, the UNV Programme, UNESCO and

UNHCR. As Liberians become masters of their own destiny, many locals, including beneficiaries

of the UNV-supported vegetable garden project in Grand Gedeh, remain grateful to the UN

not just for contributing to the restoration of peace and development activities but for assistingin ensuring that volunteerism which was once lost has been found again on Liberian soil.

Reflections

Sulaiman

Sulaiman Momodu

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Laud TamakloeLaud’’s Swansong

Laud with the Transport Section Team

I have seen that everything [human] has its limits and end, no matter how extensive, noble,

and excellent. I have also realized that the end of a journey begins with the first step and so

with this feeling I say I have completed my tour of duty in Liberia.

I am indeed very grateful to God Almighty for his divine protection throughout my entire stay in

sweet Liberia and also to you all for making my stay in Liberia a memorable one. I wouldn't be

who I am if it hadn't been you by my side, allow me to know more about you from time to time

because I don't want to lose you.

Our lives are enriched by those we keep close to us, we learn things from friends that we could

not learn on our own. You have all enriched my life in different ways and for that I am grateful.

If for one reason or the other I have wronged anybody, I sincerely apologize, for human as I

am, I am not perfect but I strive to reach that state of perfection. I will miss you all.

To the rest of the crew I say carry on the good work to make this world a better place, for

yourself and for all. Remember to be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting

some battle, never get tired of doing that which is good, for we do it not unto man but untoGod.

According to Aristotle, a friend is "A single soul in two bodies". Henry Ford said that it is someonewho brings out the best in you. It's a gift you give yourself. A friend is ‘God's way of taking care

of us.’ A friend is ‘Someone who knows the song of your heart and can sing it back to you

when you have forgotten the words.’

"Friendship is always a responsibility, never an opportunity." - Kahil Gibran

"A friend is someone who knows everything about you and loves you anyway.“ Anonymous

"Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Walk beside

me and be my friend." Albert Camus.

And you are all that!

You are all welcome to GHANA my beloved country, the land of gold, freedom and justice- If

you come to Africa and you haven't been to GHANA, you haven't been anywhere, because

it's the gateway to Africa. The world is now a global village and for that I say take care and see

you soon. Thank you once again for your love, support, cooperation and assistance.

May God bless you all.

Laud

One day, I received a phone call from UNV Bonn, Germany asking if I would like to serve as aUN Volunteer again this time in Congo, Africa and my response was, ‘Why not, sure’. Then the

communication ceased and I did not pay much attention to it because it happens that way

with recruitment sometimes. One day out of the blue another call came, asking me why Ihave not been answering their correspondence. I was in shock, ‘What correspondences?

What are they talking about?’ Only to realize that the mail sent from Bonn had not been

reaching my private email in-box.

Right after sorting that problem, three days later my authorization came for Liberia, WestAfrica. I said to myself, ‘Okay………., Liberia was not discussed.’ I believe that God Almighty had

another plan for me.Two nights before my departure from my home country, the Lordministered to my spirit, ‘I would reach on the other side’; just as in the scripture when Jesus told

His disciples to meet Him on the other side.

I was in a joyful mood when I was leaving Trinidad & Tobago to take up my second UNV

assignment on the 20 March 2006. There was a strange feeling at the airport, my eldest sonsaid to me, ‘Mummy do not go.’ My children and my husband kept hugging and kissing me

and this uneasy feeling began to develop in the pit of my stomach as if something bad wasgoing to happen. I concluded that it was because I was leaving them for a season. The

flight was smooth so far, nothing fantastic just sitting for hours on the various flights until I got tothe last leg of my journey from Nigeria to Liberia. That’s when unreasonable fright gripped my

heart for no apparent reason. Where is this feeling coming from?

The flight was delayed because of bad weather conditions. Hours passed and finally, we

were requested to board the aircraft. The doors closed, then came an announcement that

there was a further delay because a storm was passing. Thirty minutes on we are told to

buckle up and up we went into the sky. Fifteen minutes into the flight without warning, a

sudden jerk. Then another more violent jerk followed by a violent shifting from left to right to

left. Lightning flashed through the windows, I started to hear breaking sounds overhead as

things began breaking because of the violent shifting. Then the plane abruptly starteddescending fast. ‘Oh my God!’ This is plane is about to crash!’

Passengers were crying, shouting out the names of their gods. I grabbed the person on myright crying within myself, ‘This is how I am going to die? I just left my family.’ Then this gentle

voice in my spirit said, “Didn’t I say that you would reach on the other side?” Immediately an

inner peace descended upon me. Shortly thereafter the plane began ascending again.

From that moment on the journey went without any hiccups.

On my arrival in Liberia, excitement overwhelmed me. The plane landed, we disembarked

and Wham! The first thing that greeted me was the heat. Reaching the UNV Support Office

was great. It was like I was here all along and just went home for a vacation. I told them

about my experience on the way to Liberia and the sincere concern of their responses washeartwarmingly genuine. It dawned on me, ‘This is my Family away from my Family.’The same day I went to my section, Engineering, and I started working with my then unit chief

Mr. Bonney-Andrews who taught me the engineering jargon and explained the construction

issues. The staff in Construction Unit was great. I was treated with great respect, my in-puts

always appreciated.

To My UN/ Liberian Family

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Joanne Blake- Bissoon

On

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nIn the four years & three months serving as a UNV Volunteer in Liberia, I have worked assisting

various units, acting as officer in charge, supervising and the list goes on in both an administrative

and personnel capacity. Some of the challenges I faced initially include accommodation,electricity, and water and Malaria problem.

For my life in Liberia outside the four corners of the UN, I had another aspect of my life which was

very spiritual. I served as an Encourager, Motivator, Teacher and a Minister of the Gospel here in

Liberia. I am a very balanced individual who would fit in with any person regardless of their status

or upbringing.

One highlight of my stay was when I ministered in a four day conference as a facilitator, Master of

Ceremony and as a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ at YMCA, Liberia, West Africa. It was

awesome to see lives changed and transformed. I believe in motivating people to live a healthyand fulfilling lifestyle and embrace the things of God. That is where all my joy comes from.

I felt a great joy in serving the Liberian Community and I would truly miss them in spite of all the

challenges we faced.

For me JBB, I love life and to see and make people happy. I enjoyed travelling and touring the

beautiful country of Liberia. Mainly: Robertsport, Tubmanburg (Bomi Lake), Gbarnga, Buchannan

and a few others. Outside of Liberia, I occasionally took a break in Ghana for a different African

taste and flavor.

Goodbyes are heartrending especially for me leaving behind my UN Family and Liberian Family.

A proud volunteer, I share these words of wisdom,

‘Be the best that you can be in your field and personal life. Learn to appreciate who you are and

what you are. In other words, appreciate yourself first and remember that you are here to serve,

give of your time, expertise, and knowledge. Respect the host country. Be a friend to the LiberianCommunity and your colleagues.‘Represent your country, the UN and UNV Family well. Show respect to our Liberian counterparts.

Walk with pride and dignity and do not be intimidated by any negative comments about being avolunteer.’

God bless UNMIL and especially the UNV Programme and staff members of the UNV SupportOffice.

JBB

Joan with International Contractors at a farewell function they

held in her honour.

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ARRIVALS

DEPARTURES

Ross Allen Marcel Rugira

Kumar Vinod Tshering Samdrup

Goo Soon Kwon Dhruba Nath Yogi

Ebenezer Tabot Caleb Ongaya

Christine Ilama Lowel Ortizo

Dennis Espanol Anna Osborne

Obadiah Komen Irene Amongin

Roger Abstillas Kyin Thein

Eden Tefera

Demeke Solomon

Geoffrey Akure

Kayode Olajubutu

Josephine Kimalindo

Olga Cherevko-Barrett Abdourahmane Diallo

Charlotte Yu Yan Sung Thierry Sukadi Sukadi

Maria Rosa Del Valle Lopez Robert Sibson

Simeon Babonampoze Joseph Rwasa

Juanito Mendoza Laud Tamakloe

Jane Mwanja Oscar Kayembe

Dawit Mulaw Navin Devkota

Tracey Holloway Issan Aurore Jerome

Jorge De Almeida Joanne Blake-Bissoon

Gershon Yao-Dablu

Bon Chance!

Welcome

Aboard!

One Vision

One VisionPublished by:UNV Programme Liberia

Design & GraphicsMHJ SarahEditorial Team

Abigail Willmer, Anna Osborne, Shadi Alkasim, Julie B. Agum, Sulaiman Momodu,

Frederick Krah, S-J Mungo, K. L. Ighobor

Former UNV Programme Officer, Rukaya Mohammed, in the midst of women of Tubmanville , Sinoe County. The occasion was an appreciation ceremony held by the community for NYVS volunteers working in Tubmanville