Radriffa slept sideways on the bed beneath barred windows, the morning light filling the room to wake him gently. His father, Peter Toby, sat beside him listening to the crackle of a handheld radio, taking in the day"s headlines. It was quiet that morning in Monrovia, and I stood in the corner of Toby"s one-room household processing that awkward feeling that comes when you peer into someone"s intimate moments. As a twenty-five year old grad student from the U.S. I felt more than out of … [Read more...]
His dream: To be a doctor
The 2011 graduating class of Cestos High School has decided as a class project to undertake the construction of a palava hut. This palava hut will be used for students to gather and discuss issues pertaining to the school. The cost of the project is estimated at $1,500 U.S. The 29 students in the class had to contribute $500 Liberian each. Donations from sponsors so far have amounted to $500 U.S., bringing the total amount raised to about $800 U.S. As senior class president, Ogache … [Read more...]
Access Denied; Girls Higher Education
Minnie Wah wants to go to college. But it's more likely that as a girl she'll end up in the local school in Cestos that teaches girls simple trades. That school is right behind Cestos High School. Forum for African Women Education is a trade school where girls go to learn skills such as pastry, tie-dye, sewing, and cosmotology. "I have been in Rivercess from my birth but I have not seen any girl leave from here to go to Monrovia to attain university," said the school … [Read more...]
Forging peace
[swfobj src="http://togetherliberia.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/manfred-zbrzezny-by-peter-toby-together-liberia/soundslider.swf" width="960" height="670"]Manfred Zbrzenzy's work landed in the office of the vice president after one of Manfred's American customers bought about 20 candle stands and shared some with Boakai. The 50-year-old blacksmith was overwhelmed with joy when he heard the news. The VP has handed the candle stands out to visitors as a souvenir. Story, images and audio by Peter … [Read more...]
Pursing Education
Kennedy Koloh worries about leaving his family to go to college in Monrovia, but his wife supports him if he can find the money. If he does leave, he will send for her and his two children to be with him. “I really want to pursue my education,” he said, “but I’m finding it difficult.” Monrovia is five hours away. Right now he can’t make the move, casino because he doesn’t have the money to enroll at the University of Liberia. If he gets there, he’ll have to pay $70 U.S. per … [Read more...]
Kindness Nehwon
“The story telling was kind of new to me, because what we do here is we only collect stories that deal with the politicians. To really go to the common people and get their stories is something we don’t really do here. People in Rivercess are very friendly. They are willing to talk to people, to explain their stories. The students were kind of sorrowful because they have only one high school. So, so, sorrowful. And talking to them most of them want to continue their education to go to college. … [Read more...]
