Bird-B-Gone Gives Back

Elijah Ville is the COTN liaison in Liberia.  Elijah has quite a  story to tell.  He met Chirs Clark about 15-20 years ago in a refugee camp in Guinea.  Elijah was an orphan of the war in Liberia and had “escaped” to this camp.  Chris Clark (COTN founder) befriended Elijah…basically became his surrogate father.  Chris provided food, shelter, education and work opportunities for Elijah ever since.  Elijah is a lucky man.  He is very intelligent and now teaches school in Monrovia the capital of Liberia.

Currently, Elijah is in charge of the COTN feasibility study for Liberia.  There is a lot of work to be done there.  Primarily determining “where a COTN facility wold be built.  Also, he is working with various government authorities to assure compliance.  At ethe end of his work, we should have a better idea on how to proceed in Liberia.  It’s a big job but Elijah has the determination , brains and heart to do it well.

Elijah and "adopted" son!

On the last day in Liberia prior to departing Elijah  (pictured here on the left in the Bird-B-Gone hat) brought along a friend…Louis.  He introduced him as his son.  Well actually Louis is not his biological son.  As Elijah explained, Louis is an orphan…and he is now being cared for by Elijah.  They both live in a small 2 room apartment in Monrovia.  Elijah pays for his schooling, food and a roof over his head.  Elijah tutors Louis and keeps him focused on his ultimate goal of graduating from university.  Elijah has decided to “pay it forward” … to save a young mans life…just as his was saved by Chris Clark.

On May 28th we arrived in Buchanan, Liberia.  The second largest city and my boyhood town of 2 years.  One of the reasons for my trip was to reconnect with an important part of my past.  The other reason, was to evaluate the feasibility and to actually more forward on building a “childrens center” ( no one likes the term orphanage).

Bruce with Hon. Julia D. Cessell

One day we met with Hon.  Julia D. Cessell, she is basically “the governor” of all of Bassa County.  A powerful position.  She is a strong leader and person.  She was educated in the United States and lived in Sacramento for many years…AND decided to give up her life in the U.S. to return to Liberia and serve.  I met many impressive people on the trip – she was impressive with a capitol “I”.  She is a big part of the hope I see for Liberia.

She explained the government position on orphanages in Liberia.  There are currently over 180 operating orphanages.  After the war, there was such an immediate need that facilities for children were created rapidly and in probably an unorganized fashion.  The goal of the government is to reduce the number of orphan facilities based on strict standards for serving the children.  This is a good thing…but what happens to the children who attend a facility slated for closure?

We discussed this issue and how Children of the Nations could open a top quality facility and perhaps help in the placement of future / current children in need…and there are a lot of them.

Children at Buchanan Orphanage

After much discussion, Chris Clark (founder / president COTH) has decided to fund a team “on the ground” in Liberia to perform and complete a “feasibility study” on opening facilities for children in Liberia — a wise move.  What you learn is that just “giving money / spending money” in these situation is an historic and common mistake.  Careful analysis and planning is essential to crating a facility with a high probability of success.

I know that with the strong relationships we started – “the ball is now rolling” in Liberia!

A Young Bruce in Libera Circa 1960's

As I stated previously, one of my goals was to find “our old camp” and visit the land of nostalgia…boyhood memories.  Our camp housed from 300-400 workers and managers who were commissioned with building the port in Buchanan.  Work on this project and the railroad inland to the iron ore fields was quite an undertaking, especially in 1961.  The job was completed in 1964.

Bruce with Oretha Johnstone

First, we visited the port.  It is now under heavy security…however one of the friends we made was Oretha Johnstone who is the manager of the port.  She opened a lot of doors for us.  She is another example of a highly educated - STRONG WOMAN – who I believe is an example of the future of this country.  She allowed me to walk all around the harbor.  It is still strong.  Still viable.  An impressive testimony to hard work and dedication of all the people who worked on it.

The Harbor also offers hope the government is currently clearing it of a number of sunken ships.  Many the casualties of war.  The ships are painstakingly being removed and cut up for scrap.  They are also planning to accommodate large, deep drafted ships.  When the port re opens, it creates major opportunities for Buchanan and Liberia again – unemployment stands at 85% and above…an open, vibrant port creates a lot of jobs, opportunity and HOPE!

The Port of Buchanan

We finally found our way to our “old camp”.  It’s not far from the Harbor.  A few buildings still exist – but I really didn’t recognize them.  However, the road that looped through our encampment was still there.  Everything overgrown with Savannah and bush.

Orphan girl.     This facility is woefully under staffed , under supplied and under funded. It is due to close June 15th. Pictured here is Safia. She is beautiful and soon to be homeless. Unfortunately this happens a lot in war scarred Liberia and Sierra Leone. Say a prayer for Safia and her friends that they may find a safe place to live.

More Orphan girls.  Breaks my heart.

This is the orphanage. We sat at a head table and were greeted warmly by 50 war orphaned children. They sang beautiful hymns. The voices of African children singing is magical. Then there were their testimonies. One boy (picture accompanying) stood up and told how both his parents were shot in front of him. Forced to watch by rebel forces. He seemed strong and resolute. But traumatized like the rest. Another boy was being held in his mothers arms when a rebel soldier calmly walked up and shot her in the head. As she went down she dropped her infant son into the cooking fire she was maintaining the boy fell face first into the fire. He is visually dis figured. Attached is a picture of their school. A two roomed thatched hut with black board. Also pictured is the school kitchen. Another hut with an open fire. A pot of simple stew on top.