My New Year's Resolution

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

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....

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

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

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

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

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

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.