Practice What You Preach!

When Lawlessness Prevails…

2011-12-23T13:58:00.000-08:00

Few weeks ago, Liberians had a taste of electoral violence, an unlawful means of protest, which led to gun fire, also unlawful, and death(s); few days ago, some Liberians openly burned the Norwegian flag, another unlawful means which I think, signifies the declaration of war, in protest that President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf didn’t deserve the Nobel Peace Prize; yesterday aggrieved students took to the streets to wage their anger on state authorities and which led to the damage of some vehicles and today, the violence continued. I stood saddened and regretful as I saw young Liberians, under the umbrella of aggrieved students which I still cannot believe, ragging havoc on government and private properties today in protest of their vacation job stipends. Standing about one hundred yards from the scene, I watched cars and window glasses of government buildings being damaged without remorse. The perpetrators called themselves “vacation job students,” something I still find very hard to believe that students will go out of their common senses when they feel disenfranchised about a process. The president intervened in yesterday's event and everyone thought the situation had calmed down, but it turned out to be worst. In response to the situation, the government of Liberia declared curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.Why will young people choose to express their concerns in such a gullible manner? Why will state authorities not avoid such happenings? When will some group of people learn how to express their concerns responsibly and when will authorities listen to these concerns and find a common ground, if any? When will Liberians respect the laws and state authorities? Is there something fundamentally wrong with our society? Is lawlessness prevailing in Liberia? Indeed, lawlessness is prevailing and Liberians in general need to understand who they are, where they come from, where they are presently, and where they want to go.Since the government of Liberia, through the Monrovia City Corporation, declared Christmas package for students,the selection process, which I witnessed, I felt it would have ended in a complete hullabaloo. The selection process incorporated non-students, most of whom were wayward street boys, which was against the nomenclature, “Vacation Job Students.” I also noticed some older men and women who have passed school going ages, demanding their stipends. This is totally unacceptable! State authorities need to be cognizant of administrative malpractices in any given situation. It was also noticed that many of the protestors did not work at all but are now demanding their benefits. THIS IS HIGHLY UNFAIR! How was the monitoring of workers done? Were there concerns about attendance and absenteeism? In my opinion, everybody involved is to be blamed as authorities need to learn how to begin and end processes in an orderly manner and aggrieved persons need to respect authorities and the laws and channel their concerns peacefully. If Liberians must restore the national systems of order, the law MUST prevail at all cost! When lawlessness prevails, these are the results to expect:

Sellers Versus Buyers - A Game worth Playing

2011-12-11T15:30:00.001-08:00

This time of the year in Liberia is usually marked by interesting exchanges in many forms between sellers and buyers. As sellers chant over their goods to attract buyers, buyers get confused as to who to buy from and how to avoid buying duplicate or poor quality products. Many low priced and poor quality goods are imported into the country at this time all because of the Christmas and New Year celebrations. What to buy and what to sell are the biggest questions buyers and sellers ask themselves as they go out to engage each other on a field with no referees.As I walked in the midst of a thick crowd in the Red Light market, I only saw myself surrounded by nothing but sellers. Their stinging breaths coupled with offensive sweat scents made me nauseated, but I could not hold my breath as I was curious to snap a photo of sellers and buyers using their intellectual bargaining powers to overcome each other. “Buy your whole year eating”. Buy it fifty; don’t buy it hundred, that whole year using”. “Buy clothes; don’t buy food”. “Spend money on clothes; don’t act cheap”. “How much, how much move from here”. These are chants that are usually heard in the jam packed Red Light market of Paynesville where many petty traders converge for their daily chores.Despite the courage and enthusiasm to sell, many sellers seem to be challenged by the huge number of sellers concentrated in one locality and selling mostly the same goods for very insignificant profits. Interestingly, not all sellers are real sellers. Some are defined criminals! The RULE OF THUMB IS DON’T SELL IF YOU CANNOT BUY, AND DON’T BUY IF YOU CANNOT SELL. In short, sellers are buyers as well as buyers are sellers.

"Pem-Pem Man Na Do it Again"

2011-11-28T14:39:00.001-08:00

Pem-Pem motor cycles are a huge benefit to the transport industry in Liberia, but how ordinary Liberians consider pem-pem riders might be far from reality. A lot of accidents involving pep-pem riders occur on a daily basis in Monrovia, and the general conclusion is, pem-pem riders are always responsible. The perception many people have about pem-pem riders have shaped the thinking of even health workers who attend to injured pem-pem riders, yet these struggling people transport market women, professional people,students, and police officers to work, school or other places.sometimes the police often use pem-pem rders to track traffic violators..Despite all of the good things about pem-pem riders, many still label them as criminals, careless drivers and more over NONE LIVING THINGS. Some who drive light and heavy vehicles are serious rivals to pem-pem to the extent that they [pem-pem] are delibrately knocked down while in the traffic. Some drivers claim that pem-pem should not be on the main road.All of these have been said based on today's incident which involved a truck driver and a pem-pem rider along with an immigration officer riding in the Duala area when suddenly a truck, TT 467, knocked the two down with the immigration officer, a lady, was seen with an injured leg and claiming that she could not walk all by herself. The pem-pem rider jumped and escaped while the lady suffered the consequences of a careless and wicked truck driver.Interestingly, I was also on a another pem-pem when I arrived on the scene, few seconds after the incident had occured."Pem-pem man na do it again", someone said from a crowd of onlookers. Guilty was the name of the pem-pem rider immediately after the accident. In monrovia, once an accident occurs involving a pem-pem rider, a conclusion is that pem-pem caused that accident. This is not fair and justice should be given to these hard working man who are a big help to the transport industry.

While it is true that pem-pem riders take advantage of the jammed traffic, some drive recklessly and even cause injuries to their passengers and sometimes pedestrans.Many issues surrounding traffic violations and passengers and drivers rights are yet to be addressed by the Liberia national Police. Professional judgement should not be based on how people in general feel about pem-pem riders. A fair play is needed!

Saki is Back to the Bloggosphere!

2011-11-27T04:47:00.001-08:00

I have been in the midst of many things and working and schooling at the same time. Since last year, I haven't been blogging on my personal blog and Ceasefire Liberia which I had used to get my stories and personal experiences to the outside world. However, I AM BACK! After graduating from college last year, i had to find a job, plan for graduate studies and work on other personal agandas. For these, I had to abandon the bloggosphere and a lot of things that connected me to people, places and events. Interestingly, I will be blogging from the eastern part of Monrovia, where i am originally from but i stayed away for five years in Paynesville City which is on the north of Monvovia. After five years of my stay in paynesville, I was able to link my social and professional life to the outside world through blogging, grassroot community actions, academic promotion and many more. I salute everyone who may have contributed to my stay in Paynesville. Memories will continue to live on especially the shared experiences during the 2011 elections period and the days of WOCYMES. I am back to the bloggosphere as a physically, emotionally and professionally changed man with experiences in promoting education, environmental advocacy and campaign, health promotion and politics. My social life should not be questioned as i am an atom of an omnipresent social molecule. Blogging controls part of my life, so let's get started again! Let me say thanks to Shelby Grossman and Ruthie Arkerman, founder of Ceasefire Liberia for inspiring me. Hats-off to you all!

Carbon Fraud in Liberia: Several Officials Named - TH!NK ABOUT IT - TH!NK ABOUT IT - CLIMATE CHANGE - blogging competition

2010-11-02T06:37:00.000-07:00

Carbon Fraud in Liberia: Several Officials Named - TH!NK ABOUT IT - TH!NK ABOUT IT - CLIMATE CHANGE - blogging competition

Wood Camp Youth Consider COP 15 as the Gateway to the Future

2009-10-29T13:50:00.000-07:00

The United Nations celebrated it’s 64th anniversary on Saturday, October 24, 2009, with millions of youth around the world, including Liberia, where a youth group dedicated it as a day of climate action as prescribed by the United Nations calendar, “The Road to Copenhagen.” To read more of this story, go to www.ceasefireliberia.com.

After-School Hour

2009-09-30T06:12:00.000-07:00

After-School Hour is an article written by me, and it can be found at http://www.ceasefireliberia.com or click on the title ahead.

Wood Camp Youth Versus Climate Change in Liberia

2009-09-25T13:42:00.000-07:00

In observance of September 21-25 as climate change week, as declared by the United Nations, the youths of Wood Camp community in Paynesville, Liberia, in collaboration with Youth Crime Watch of Liberia and Action Against Climate Change in Liberia, joined the rest of the world to raise awareness about climate change with the slogan, "Go Green Liberia; Do Something Green." The awareness campaign was headed by Saki Golafale, a resident of Wood Camp community.

The activities started on Thursday, September 24 and ended on Friday, September 25. On Thursday, the youths staged a community parade with awareness messages being said out loud on mega-phone. The parade went on for three hours with demonstrations from a youth drama group and distribution of green fruits to standing crowd and those who answered questions concerning climate change. The climax of the "Go Green" activities came to an end on Friday with tree planting in three different locations with in the Wood Camp community. This was followed by a football match which ended in a 3-3 draw.

The executive director of Youth Crime Watch of Liberia, Mr. Zuo Taylor was impressed with how the young of Wood Camp organized themselves to stage such campaign. He encouraged the young people to continue the fight against climate change. For his part,the executive director of Action Against Climate in Liberia commended the youth and asked that they join his organization in the fight to protect the environment. He urged other young people to get involved with the process as it is not only a Liberian problem, but also global one.

The pictures above show events as they unfolded.

DESPITE THE DIFFICULTIES, WE CAN STILL MAKE IT!

2009-06-26T12:56:00.000-07:00

The University of Liberia is one of Liberia’s highest institutions for academic learning, and one of Africa’s oldest. Formally Liberia College from 1862 to 1951, the University, in Liberia’s post war era, faces many challenges at its infrastructural, faculty, and academic levels.

Currently, the University has about 15,000 students both at the graduate and undergraduate levels, and more students are patiently awaiting admission for next academic semester. There are five colleges and three professional schools. Among the five colleges, the College of Science and Technology has been the most disadvantaged college since the outbreak of the 14 years civil war in Liberia which ended in 2003.The technological aspect is totally lacking.

The college is located on the Fendall campus, an annex to the University, which is a 45 minute drive north of Monrovia. Its location is ideal for students pursuing careers in the sciences. There are eight departments with nine disciplines which include: Biology, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mining Engineering, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, and Zoology.
Students majoring in these disciplines are faced with a lot of challenges as the college has been under funded and lack of a strong faculty since the course of the civil war. There have been no adequate research facilities such as laboratories, libraries, IT center and so forth. Learning at the college has been one of the most difficult experiences. Some courses are being taught without the required text materials or labs. And one of the most frustrating things is the poor and unhealthy science labs at the college. The chemistry labs, for example, have been operating for the past five years without simple materials such as Bunsen burners, distillation sets, analytical balances, quality laboratory grade chemicals, and safety materials. In this modern time, instead of Bunsen burners, we have been used to using COAL-POTS to conduct experiments, and one of the many disadvantages to the use of COAL-POTS is that temperature regulation is completely out of control. What a sad thing! Recently, two professors, Dr. Shem Wadinga and Dr. Geofrey Kamau, from Kenya and South Africa respectively, were hired by the Ward Educational Fund to come and assess the needs of the Department of Chemistry at the University. Here is a link to their assessment report: http://www.universityliberia.org/ul_news_2_09.htm. The Ward Educational Fund (http://www.thewardfund.org/) is a Liberian owned organization in memory of the late Prof. Victor E. Ward, Liberia’s first chemist who was killed by rebels in Liberia in the early 90s.
T
he frustrations, the over stay at the University coupled with the present economic hardship cannot divorce us from learning. We believe that we are the Lux in Tenebris (Light in Darkness) in Liberia’s road to national recovery. Liberia needs chemists, physicists, engineers, doctors and geologist to help build its national systems of order. That is why we have been burning our mid-night candles, deriving the Schrödinger’s wave equation, and demonstrating the phenomena of Newtonian and Quantum Mechanics, the bifurcation theory and the magical theory of relativity by Albert Einstein. As the song writer says, “Though we burn a million candles, we still read on”. We cannot divorce learning from life. We are patiently enduring the pains as we wait on the University to regain its pre-war status and be counted again among the best Universities in Africa. We believe this can happen!

Again, the future looks very bright for us as our new president, Dr. Emmet A. Dennis, a parasitologist and a former dean at Rutgers University, sees the Science College as one of his major priorities within the next few years. Dr. Dennis seems to be very promising as his relationship with the student populace strengthens day-by-day. During his inauguration, he promised to make the University of Liberia ‘A Student Centered Institution’. Also, with the construction of the new University by the Chinese Government, which will be turned over to the Liberian Government by April 2010, there is light at the end of the turner.

We can make it happen; just give us the tools!

One of Liberia’s Longest Serving Medical Doctors Celebrates His 80th Birthday- A Brief Profile

2009-06-22T11:02:00.000-07:00

Dr. G standing third from left 1955 and lower right corner, in his lab at Cuttington College

Dr. G, as he is affectionately called, had moments of joy and reflection as he celebrated his 80^th birthday on Saturday, June 20. Born in 1929, Dr Kanda Golafale started his elementary school in his hometown of Damballah in1939, and after three, he enrolled at the Mbaloma mission school where he graduated from the 8^th grade in1946.

From 1946-1951, Dr. Golafale attended and graduated from the famous St.Johns Episcopal High School in Robertsport, Grand Cape Mount County, Liberia. It was father E. Bolling Robertson who took him to St.Johns. He immediately enrolled at the Cuttington College (Now Cuttington University) in 1952 and graduated in 1955 with B.Sc in chemistry. Kanda is thankful to Madam Catherine C. Barnabay, his chemistry teacher at St.Johns, who guided him to develop interest in the sciences. He returned to St. Johns and taught biology and Latin for beginners for six months at which time he received a scholarship jointly sponsored by the Liberian Government and the Federal Republic of west Germany-Deutsher Akademisher Austausch Dienst (DAAD) as the program was called. This was in 1957.

Dr.Golafale enrolled at the University of Heidelberg Medical School in 1957.since he had two years of German class at Cuttington College, he immediately started med-school without having to go through a language class as this was required for foreign students. After a student excursion trip to Berlin in 1957, he fell in love with the city, and he decided to matriculate to the Free University of Berlin in 1958 where he graduated in 1964 with a medical degree (MD).

After two years of internship, Dr.G came back to Liberia and worked at theLiberia Government Hospital in 1966 for six months. He again received a scholarship to go to West Germany to specialize in general surgery. From 1962-1972, Dr. G received his training at the Staedtisdes Krankenhaus Spandau Nord under Prof. Baukhage.

Dr. G came back to Liberia in 1972 and worked as a general surgeon at many medical facilities in Liberia including the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital where he served the position as Chief medical Officer. During the period under review, he visited the Guy’s Hospital in London for a refresher course in medicine for three months.

Dr. G was retired in 2006 at the age of 77 after serving as medical director at the Redemption Hospital for eight years.

He now works as a private consultant at his Tweh Farm’s residence in Monrovia.

Dr Kanda Golafale is Liberia’s oldest practicing medical doctor. During his speech at his birthday celebration, he remembered the following people who made positive impact in his life as a student and a professional. The following persons include: His mother Nyamgbey Golafale, A. Tamu Diggs who taught him ABC, Oldman Kinni Freeman and B. K. Metzger who served as fathers, Father E. Bolling Robertson, Catherine C. Barnabay, Dr. Arthur F. Kulah Bishop Emeritus, United Methodist Church, Prof. Gunther Hartmann of Free Univerity of Berlin, and Rev. Dr.James Karmbor of the United Methodist church.

He grew up as an Episcopalian but now a Methodist. He is married with four children: Jaa, Saki, Mike Tango, and Jamba.

To know more about Dr. Kanda

Golafale, keep reading this blog!

Saki Now Presents Science In Action

2009-04-13T14:15:00.001-07:00

Exactly three weeks ago, I started the long awaited science program on Lux Radio, the University of Liberia's official radio station. I must thank the dean of the Science College, Dr. Korli Korheine, for his continuous support and Mr. Paul Samuels, the station manager.
Science in Action is all about bringing science closer to people by discussing science as it is applied to our society। Now, I can discuss science related activities with students, professors as well as other professionals working in any field of science.

Last week, I had my first program aired. It was about science, technology and society under the topic, ''Obtaining a Cleaner Energy।" Two students at the University of Liberia were my guests. They are building an electric power system that, according to them, could bring about clean, silent, and continuum energy. That could be a solution to the global demand for cleaner energy source! I wish to publish their concept here if permitted to do so.

This week, I will be visiting the White Planes water treatment plant in rural Montserrado County to have a forum with the staff at that water plant। The topic to be discussed is, '' The science of water purification-from the source to the consumers." Vey interesting!

Next week, another interesting topic about science, nutrition and society. We'll be discussing the chemistry and side effects of monosodium glutamate (MSG), a spice mostly used by locals to sweeten food in Liberia. My guest will be the dean of the school of Pharmacy at the University of Liberia, Prof. Tapowar Kieh.
I hope you'll be a regular listener if you're in Liberia.

A POLICE OFFICER MAY BE DISMISSED

2009-03-28T11:17:00.000-07:00

The investigation surrounding my flogging at a police station in monrovia started yesterday with the first witness testifying at the national police headquaters. It was quite interesting considering the professional manner in which the investigator{a Liberian}, tried to handle the case. Well, from the thorough investigation, I have the believe that one of them will be dismissed from the police force. I don't really want anyone to be dismissed because times are hard, and I do not want to take the blame.

Things that the police oficers were not to do to me, according to their boss include, flogging me, (not yet established), illegally detaining me, and taking my cellphone and footwear. It continues Monday. I am sure it will be more interesting as the commander who ordered my flogging will be testifying. The investigation, to me, is not only about finding someone guilty or someone being dismissed but also a learning process. There are a lot of good things the police officers and I will learn from this investigation.

Saki Has Sent a Formal Complaint to the Police Headquarters

2009-03-26T10:28:00.000-07:00

Go to http://www.allabuja.blogspot.com/ to view the entire story of Saki’s ordeal.

Progress is Being Made
Yesterday, I wrote a formal complaint to the Inspector General of the Liberia National Police, Hon. Beatrice M. S. Browne. After viewing my complaint, the case was transferred to the Professional Standard Division (PSD) for investigation. The two police officers whose ID numbers I indicated in the letter have been called upon to report to the police headquarters for investigation. The investigation starts tomorrow at 1:30 PM.

My New Year's Resolution

2008-12-31T12:32:00.000-08:00

Every second, every minute, every hour, every day, every week, every month, every year, every dacade, every century, and every millennium, histories are made and challenges are set before mankind and the world experiences multiple changes. The year 2008 has been another year of history making and many challenges across our global community. The elections in the US, the Olympics in Beijin, the episode in Kenya, the Zimbabwe's dilemma, the current global recession and the current crisis in the Middle East among many others have been accredited to the year 2008.

Today, everyone, including myself, is making good resolutions in anticipation of a prosperous NEW YEAR (2009). For me, my resolution is based on certain basic reality of my individual existence, that is, to make proper use of time. I have always lived my the believe that time is my enemy, but I have come to realize that time is the best friend I have ever had. I have also come to realize that when ever I made such unreasonable claim concerning time's cruelty, it's either that I am not serious about doing an important thing or that I am lazy to handle certain significant task.

A few months ago, I came across a beautiful poem that spoke quietly to me about time. An excerpt of the proem written by Gina Laurine is here:

Today is yesterday's tomorrow
Make the most of it you can
Or soon the hour glass
Will be filled with sand

This poem speaks to my inner soul whenever I read it. It has the power to transform the life of any conscious being who reads it. Also, it appeals to the soul to make time an important factor of one's life. This poem has also made me not to forget my planned duty as a conscious being. I thing you need to consider this.

As the year 2009 brings new hopes, new courage, and new dreams, I am making this resolution with faith and determination, and I believe that I will discover my weaknesses and work on them gradually through God's mighty power. From now on, I have decided to cut down some of my activities including scrabble games, chess, and watching of football games or sitting doing nothing (you sit down for nothing, you get up for nothing). Though some of these activities have helped build my mental horizon, I do not realize any practical meaning they have added to my life.

To my many good friends and relatives, I would like to advise you all to make time a meaningful one in your lives; don't overlook seconds because seconds add up to make a minute; minutes make hour; hours make day; days make week; weeks make month; and so on until you realize that a whole year has gone while wasting your time nursing grudges from out of the past or just blowing bubbles.

Time says he's our friend; enjoy your wonderful life with him in discovering your potentials and realizing your importance in your society. I wish all of you a very HAPPY NEW YEAR! I LOVE you all! Be yourself and don't make decisions when you're mad as the song writer says. We can make a very significant diference in Liberia and the world at large only if we manage our TIME and RESOURCES( I didn't mention in previous paragraghs). Bye to the year 2008! I'll miss it; the wonderful and deadly memories across the world.

My New Work of Poetry

2008-08-14T09:31:00.000-07:00

This time around, just an excerpt is posted here. Only my true blog readers can obtain a whole copy by simply sending a request to my email, stgolafale@gmail.com or sakitango82@yahoo.com.

Nature's Beauty
Nature's beauty
Since ancient days
Has come of age
To play its part
On every stage...

More to come if
you make a request.
This poem may be very
interesting to readers. So, don't
hesitate to get a copy through
email.

I LOVE YOU ALL!

Africa Mercy, Bringing Hope and Healing....

2008-07-04T10:50:00.000-07:00

Our class; I am standing fourth from right

Africa Mercy Ship at the Dock of Monrovia

I had the opportunity to visit the Africa Mercy Valletta today through a friend and instructor, Carlos Amaral, who offered a three week lecture course in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Liberia। The visit was mainly intended to introduce us (Students) to medical instrumentation, and to evaluate us based on what we've learned over the past weeks about biomedical engineering। My coleagues and I had a fine time with some crew members , especially those in the medical department.

Mercy Ships, through Carlos decided to offer this course as a way of encouraging students to find interest in the field because, according to him, Liberia has only one biomedical engineer who is aging, and the gap needs to be filled. But unfortunately for us, no university or technical college here is offering degrees in said field.

Africa Mercy has been highly involved in Liberia's post war recovery process for the last two years by offering humanitarian assistance to many Liberians in areas such as health care, education, community empowerment, construction, agriculture, etc.
I wish to be one of its crew members in the future.

Dangerous Roads versus Dangerous Drivers

2008-07-04T09:46:00.000-07:00

The scene was like a Hollywood movie. This incident occured on the Monrovia-Ganta Highway on last Sunday, June 29 while on my way from the Cuttington University's graduation ceremony which was held in Swakoko, Bong County, north of Liberia. The car in the picture belongs to a humanitarian group named Rehab Liberia.

Yes, the roads are wet and slippery because Liberia is experiencing lots of rain this year. However, nobody got killed or badly injured. It was not by anybody's smartness, but by the will of GOD.

If you're visiting Liberia and would love to drive on our narrow and slippery roads, please exercise good driving habits. IF YOU DRINK[ALCOHOL], DON'T DRIVE or IF YOU DRIVE, DON'T DRINK [ALCOHOL].

Vickie In Pictures Touring the Chemistry Lab

2008-05-30T13:55:00.000-07:00

Vickie tours the Chemistry Lab as she listens to lab technicians, instructors, and students about the deplorable condition of the lab.

Vickie interacts with Kpama Kromah, an Organic Chemistry Instructor, as he shows to her a damaged apparatus.
Vickie takes note of needed items.

Vickie listens to a lab technician as he explains their plight.

THE WARD FUND NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT OR DONATION

2008-05-23T13:13:00.000-07:00

Victor E. Ward Educational Fund
‘’securing the future of Liberian scientists’’

Contact Details
New Jersey Office
59 Delikat Lane
Sayreville, NJ 08872

732-727-1961
wardfund@hotmail.com
www.thewardfund.org

VICKIE WARD ASSURES STUDENTS AND UL ADMINISTRATION OF KEEPING ALIVE HER FATHER’S DREAM

2008-05-23T13:10:00.000-07:00

Vickie Ward, the daughter of the late Victor E. Ward has assured the students and the University of Liberia faculty that she will continue to keep her father’s dream alive.

Professor Ward dream was to educate and train more Liberian scientist specifically in the physical and natural sciences.

To actualize this big dream, Vickie founded the Victor E. Ward Educational Fund. The Ward Fund's mission is to promote education in science and technology, especially in the study of chemistry. The Fund works each day to carry out the life work and legacy of the late professor.

In addition, the Ward Fund was formally launched in Liberia early April of this year, and more interestingly, its director in Liberia is a former beneficiary of the Ward Fund, and now a graduate, Frinklin Bondoo. The photo above shows Frinklin Bondoo, Ward Fund Director, Liberia.
Vickie promised to lobby for qualified chemistry professors when she returns to the United States, and to solicit assistance for laboratory apparatus and equipment.

THE WARD FAMILY AND THE UNIVERSITY OF LIBERIA REMEMBER A FALLEN SCHOLAR

2008-05-23T12:35:00.000-07:00

The late professor Victor E. Ward, Liberia’s first Chemist and former Chairman, Department of Chemistry, University of Liberia, was last month remembered by his loving family and the University of Liberia family.

Professor Ward, according to reliable source, was shot dead by a rebel in 1990 at the teacher’s quarter of the University Fendell campus.

As a sign of continuous remembrance, a monument was erected in honor of the deceased.

Christmas Celebration in Monrovia- Social Immorality was the order of the Day

2007-12-26T04:20:00.000-08:00

When I was much smaller, my parents always took me to worship service on Christmas day. But, since I got to know myself, Christmas celebration in Liberia has always been marked by a high degree of social immorality. The traditional way of celebrating Christmas is no more. Many teens get initiated or exposed to dangerous sex life, drunkenness, and harmful drug abuse.

Yesterday the streets of Monrovia were very busy. Beer clubs, beaches, and motels were all crowded with people mostly teens in search of aimless excitement. Many of them (teenage girls) made the wrong decisions by engaging in promiscuous acts, drunkenness, smoking, and taking harmful drugs. Some (teenage girls), I believe, were victims of gang raping as I witnessed an event wherein a young girl, highly intoxicated, was lying in a corner surrounded by a group of boys discussing on how and where to take her for their sexual satisfaction. I felt hurt and hated the idea but could not involve myself in the matter of drunkards and way-ward youths.

In Liberia, some young and old men do not regard teenage girls as being innocent to sex life. They get encouraged for little or nothing and go in bed with these heartless men.

Another event occurred on the main car road, in my community, wherein two groups were in face fight. Both sides threw bottles at each other. I could not stand to witness the event as I could have been one of the wounded victims.

Today, I feel sorry for our society and its youths as moral decadence has become the order of the day whenever there is a big holiday celebration. I wonder if there is a promising generation of Liberian youths to come. Liberia! Is it a failed State as one author wrote? I can't tell.

If eight of every ten young people in Liberia had spent the holiday like me, I strongly believe that these devilish attitudes would have occurred on a small scale. Christmas is for Christ loving people and should be celebrated in a Christ-like manner.

A CLOSER LOOK AT A STUDENT’S LIFE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LIBERIA-WHAT IT TAKES TO DO CHEMISTRY

2007-12-02T09:54:00.000-08:00

Nearly six months after the civil war in Liberia, I entered the University of Liberia as a freshman and chose chemistry as my major, a decision I had made some years back when I was in high school. I still had fresh memories of the war, though the mental trauma did not live with me that long.
The University was partially damaged; including the Department of Chemistry, where essential text books, chemicals, laboratory equipment, computers, etc. were damaged or taken away.
Since then, the University of Liberia, particularly the Department of Chemistry, has remained aloof from the academic, social, and scientific advancement in our contemporary world and has fitted me/us into an unjust and joyless struggle for education, which of course is of low quality.
I considered all these conditions as hindrance to my studies but I could not and still cannot divorce myself from the science of chemistry because of the natural interest I have built in it over the years. I receive many bizarre remarks from friends, relatives, and teachers, including the dean of my department, about studying chemistry. My dean always expresses an indifferent attitude toward chemistry students. There is only one teacher who usually encourages me to persevere and afterward says, "The consumer bears the weight," which is somehow logical. Most of my colleagues who could not withstand the tension have changed colleges or majors on grounds that studying chemistry or any of the sciences in Liberia, they say, is a waste of time, resources, and energy.
Currently, according to my college, I am a junior student with respect to the three years I have spent and not considering the number of course credits I have done as it should be. This is obvious since I had to escape few courses or receive an incomplete grade due to the following reasons: 1) the unavailability of qualified teachers, 2) the lack of the requisite textbooks and supplements, and 3) very poor laboratory works or exercises, which are highly below standard. Nobody’s safety is guaranteed in the lab. There are no safety materials, including goggles, lab aprons, gloves, nose caps, etc. Sometimes chemical shortage cannot allow a particular course to be offered or continued. For instance, I am presently taking a course in chemistry that is quantitative and requires many laboratory exercises but unfortunately, the lack of chemicals has become a major cause for us not conducting any of the fifteen experiments necessary to complete the course. The choice is mine, whether to redo the course at a suitable time (when?) or depend on the classroom lecture to forge ahead. Many problems cannot easily be explained.
Despite the adverse circumstances, I have become accustomed to the hardships and frustrations I encounter every semester. Moreover, a friend who provided me with textbooks, which of course without, serves as a major impediment to a successful university education, has blessed me. This friend was very sensitive to my plight as a student when she paid a visit to Liberia in 2006. My colleagues and I including some of my teachers use those textbooks. It is a blessing to have them.
We have a chemistry student organization, CHEMUSA, that has been working assiduously to find a remedy to some of these problems we are presently faced with but our deans have refused to hear our cry. All the efforts we have made in seeking local support have been blocked and some benefits that are sent to chemistry students through the chemistry department rest in the hands of some selfish and heartless individuals who do not regard us as students.
How can we get assistance in this part of the world? This is the question that can only be answered by any would be supporters. If one could imagine getting assistance from US students or students from any other country to students in less fortunate situation like ours, it would be a great thing to see happening and such assistance will be fruitful only if it is passed directly through the hands of the students to be assisted.
Finally, let me say that the better the facilities at the University of Liberia are, the better I can do good chemistry and the more joy I will find in my studies and the better educated we are, the lesser our problems become.

Life's Load

2007-11-21T17:11:00.001-08:00

Life’s load
Too hot
To hold
Too big
To fold
Too sweet
If managed
Cumbersome
If damaged

Don’t leave your load
On the road
For it may get wet
When the rain falls
And get heavier
Than you expect

Possess your load
When you’re youthful
And be useful when you’re old

The Necessary End

2007-11-21T16:11:00.000-08:00

He who opens the door of birth
Will one day close the door of death
Captured between birth and death
I have committed my life to earth
Determined to make untold history
That the earth would one day call its glory

If life could tell me what it means
I could tell it all my deeds
In search of what my eyes can’t see
For all the earthly things I grieve
Only life can tell me what I need

Life and death
Who does the best?
Up and down with life I go
Life should give me all the gold
Then I’ll cherish life the best
And death should take me home to rest

My new work of poetry

2007-11-21T08:21:00.000-08:00

In the Name of Liberty

In the name of liberty
They snapped away the chain of authority
Piercing a dagger into the breast of peace
And creating a state of anarchy and lawlessness

As they befriended good and evil
Both of which could not coexist
The heavens got offended
And all our blood stained pilots
Who could no longer find the compass
Plunged our society into disorder

In the name of liberty
The new order marched to town
Over skulls of red, white, and blue
Singing slogans that history still remembers
They reaped the seeds that were never sowed
And lived through a brief period of ill-gotten wealth
Then met their deserved and just fate

In the name of liberty
They wanted again to use our ignorance
To ascend to the throne
With hard hearts no one could see
Only God could direct our hands
To cast our votes for people of integrity

North, south, east, and west
Can someone tell me where they are?
While some have returned to the dust
Others are behind the iron curtain
And a few are begging on the capitol
To protect their blood-coated wealth
And hide their deeds already known

In the name of liberty
They have offended both God and humanity
But we leave them with posterity
we all welcome unity
Till the day will come prosperity