Tag Archives: liberia

Poison Mystery for Afghanistan School Girls, Pregnancy Policy in Libera & More

With Girls’ Education a Priority, Women Flourish in Bangladesh
Throughout the past 30 years, women of Bangladesh have made incredible strides in social, economic and political fields. In fact, women are responsible for bringing in $23 million–roughly 80 percent–of the country’s total export earnings. Additionally, women now comprise nearly 60 percent of the primary teachers in the country. Much of the country’s success is due to its commitment to educating and empowering girls and women. Read it here.

No Policy for Pregnant Schoolgirls in Liberia
Schoolgirls in Liberia are being expelled for being pregnant, while the nation’s education policy is silent on the matter. Despite the work of the country’s first female president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, issues like poverty, teenage pregnancy, illiteracy and rape are limiting girls’ access to quality education–and it doesn’t seem to be getting any better. Patricia Kollie, a pregnant student at St. Mark Lutheran High School in the city of Gbarnga, Bong County, was recently expelled despite having paid program fees. Kollie will have to re-enroll after delivering her baby and begin the year over. Read more here.

Who is Poisoning Afghanistan’s Girls?
The debate rages on about who is responsible for poisoning Afghanistan’s schoolgirls. Over the past few months, several incidents have taken place: On April 17, 150 girls reported feelings of dizziness, nausea, and headaches. They were transported from their school in the Afghan province of Takhar to a hospital–some fainted, and some were vomiting when they arrived. In the same province a month later, 120 more girls and 3 teachers complained of the same symptoms and were again taken in. The next week, 160 girls in Taluquan, the capital of Takhar province, reported being ill. While the Afghan government is convinced the Taliban is to blame, the World Health Organization is now saying all samples turned up negative for poisoning. The organization is now blaming Mass Psychological Illness for the symptoms, saying that many of the girls were likely suffering from trauma cased by years of conflict. However, many Afghans don’t believe mass hysteria is the cause and are demanding the government take action against the Taliban. Read all the details here.

Ugandan Women Fight Against Cervical Cancer
The UN World Health Organization reports that 3,577 Ugandan women die of cervical cancer every year, making it the most common form of cancer affecting women in the country. With little information available to the public and limited government funds to fight the disease, many worry the number of cases will continue to increase. Read more here.

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Sirleaf Inaugurated, New Guatemalan President & More

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Inauguarated for Second Term
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was inaugurated today for her second term as president of Liberia, promising continued work on reconciliation in the war-torn country. Read more here.

Guatemala Elects New President
The new president of Guatemala, Otto Perez Molina, was recently sworn into office after his election victory in November. Molina, a former army general, has promised to bring profound change to Guatemala, including big efforts to restore security, reduce poverty and improve on child malnutrition. Read more here.

First Graduates at Oprah’s South African Girls’ School
In a region where most girls don’t graduate from high school, the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls is thrilled to celebrate its first graduation with 72 girls, all of which come from poor and disadvantaged families. All of the girls are headed on to university with hopes of changing the world. “When you invest in the leadership of girls you invest in a nation,” said Winfrey. Read it all here.

Maternal Health Challenges in Somalia
According to the World Health Organization, Somalia has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. The recent famine has only made matters worse for expecting mothers, many of which are malnourished and living in resettlement camps. A lack of equipment and inadequate facilities have also made it extremely difficult for women to get the proper care they need throughout pregnancy and delivery. Read more here.

Indian Computer Tablet Could Shake Up Education
A new low-cost tablet selling for as little as £35 should allow Indians in rural areas to access the Internet on a regular basis. Read more here.

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Africa’s First Female President Re-Elected, English in South Sudan & More

Africa’s First Female President Re-Elected
Amid violence and low voter turn out, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was confirmed as Liberia’s president after a controversial election in which her opponent, Winston Tubman, pulled out of the race. Tubman urged his supporters to boycott the polls over fears the election was rigged, which caused chaos and violence on the eve of the election. President Sirleaf begins her second term with a divided nation, but promises to work with opposing parties. Read it here.

English for Schools in South Sudan
South Sudan, the world’s newest nation, is home to over 60 indigenous languages. In hopes to unify the nation, the South Sudan Legislative Assemble (SSLA) recently passed the Higher and General Education Bill, which declares that both primary and secondary education will only be taught in English. Furthermore, there will be no subjects taught in Arabic by the end of this year. Get the story here.

Combating Grenades with Balloons in Kenya
Ever have the Monday blues? For artist Yazmany Arboleda the answer to overcoming your gloom is a yellow balloon. The artist recently handed out over 10,000 yellow balloons to commuters in Nairobi in hopes to help combat that negative Monday morning perception. But Arboleda isn’t just about spreading a little cheer, his mission is to counter grenades with balloons. For Kenya, a nation that has been on high alert since the government sent troops to Somalia in pursuit of al-Shabab militants, it’s yet to be seen if Arboleda’s yellow balloons will send a message of peace. Check it out here.

Study Finds Developing World Upbeat and Rich Countries Pessimistic
More than 25,000 people were included in a survey by Globescan that shows those living in developing economies were consistently more upbeat and positive compared to those in “rich” nations. Japan, France and Germany were said to be the most negative, while Kenya, Nigeria and Egypt scored as the happiest. Read more here.

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Sponsor Spotlight: The Stoltz Family

Rachel King, Liberian student sponsored by the Stoltz family

Rachel King, Liberian student sponsored by the Stoltz family

I can still hear the excitement in my dad’s voice as he called home to tell me to check my e-mail. My mom, younger brother Eric and I ran upstairs and hovered over my computer, anxiously waiting to see our students.  As soon as their pictures loaded, Eric beamed, saying, “Our new brother and sister!”  My parents, Eric, and I felt as if we had two new little children to look after. It’s incredible how instantaneous of a bond we felt; we had gained two new members to our family!

This past December, my family made the decision to sponsor two students at the MacDella Cooper Foundation (MCF).  Through Blaire Brody, MCF’s Sponsorship Coordinator, we learned that our students’ names were Rachel King, 8, and Alex Garway, 7.  Both attend school in Monrovia, Liberia at the Action Faith Institute.  We were happy to learn that they are both fantastic students!  Blaire informed us that they consistently receive high grades and are doing very well in school.  They will transfer to the MCF Academy in Fall 2010, where they will receive an education at Liberia’s first post-war boarding school.

Each MCF scholarship costs $300.  For that fee, a child can receive an education and meals for a year, as well as school supplies, a uniform, and have their medical needs covered!  Because my family chose to be a visible sponsor, we can send Rachel and Alex letters, photographs, and care packages, as well as receive their grades.

As I write this now, I’m looking at a picture of Rachel and Alex and wondering what they hold in store for the day.  I’m studying in the library and hoping that maybe they are reading a good book or playing with friends.  I truly feel as if they are my little sister and brother and would love more than anything to visit them, play with them, and help them study.

Thanks to She’s the First and the MCF, I know that my family is helping Rachel accomplish her dreams.  Receiving an education has allowed me so many opportunities and I hope that now the same can be true for Rachel.  Even though we are separated by thousands of miles, I hope to encourage Rachel that she can be the first to do anything and let her know that my family is so thrilled to support her every step of the way.

Elizabeth Stoltz is Activities Coordinator for She’s the First and a freshman at Ithaca College.

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A Letter of Thanks: First to be a Nurse

Cynthia Sackie is a senior at Action Faith Institute in Paynesville, Liberia. Her scholarship this year is funded by the staff of O, the Oprah Magazine in New York City, via the MacDella Cooper Foundation. On my recent trip to Liberia, she handwrote a note expressing her gratitude and story. I share it here with you because there’s no better way to express the impact of education sponsorship — it gives you chills!

Cynthia Sackie

Cynthia Sackie

Dear O Magazine,

My name is Cynthia Sackie. I am 18 years old, a 12 grade student of the MacDella Cooper Foundation who is blessed to be sponsored by your magazine. I just want to say thank you so much for my education, for giving me something that will always be part of me, something that no man can take away. May God richly bless you.

I am a Liberian, my parents are farmers and live in Grand Kru County. We are six from one mother, three boys and three girls. Grand Kru is one of the remote county within Liberia, located in the southeast. Up to present, there are no car roads. People walk for miles from one town to another. From where the main road stop to get to my home town is about four hours walk. I used to walk for hours, sometime with half bag of rice on my head.

There is no high school in Grand Kru. But I am in Monrovia today because of MCF and you. I live with my grandmother on DuPort Road. I sell after school just to meet up with my needs. I am member of my church choir. I am to be out of high school by June 2010. I hope to attend Cuttington College and become a nurse, then go back to my poor people to help them stay well. Many people died from simple sickness, just because doctors or health workers are not willing to work in a remote area like my country.

Thank God for MCF, thank God for O Magazine. I wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. The sky is the limit to my education.

Truly yours,

Cynthia


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Sponsor Spotlight: Dorm at University of Notre Dame

welsh family hall sponsors for viola

Welsh Family Hall -- Viola has so many young women championing her education!

Who You’re Sponsoring: Viola
Via: MacDella Cooper Foundation (MCF)
Who Is Sponsoring Her and How Much Each Contributed: The girls of Welsh Family Hall, University of Notre Dame. Everyone gave $2-$5 each. It went a long way!
Why It’s Special: We all feel so lucky to have gotten so far academically that everyone was really excited to help another girl around the world get an education. We love decorating cards for Viola and keeping the dorm posted about new developments (letters, report cards, and pictures). We can’t wait to see what she’ll be the first to do!

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Dreams of Liberian School Girls

When we asked girls in Liberia, whose school tuition is sponsored by the MacDella Cooper Foundation, what their goals and dreams are, we were delighted to find that in their eyes, the sky’s the limit.  Most of the girls live in an impoverished community called Duport Road, in the suburbs of Liberia, where their elders are employed as stone crushers, for the cement industry.

  • Princess Williams, 7 yrs, K-1. Her goal: To drive a car.
  • Vence Chee, 12 yrs, 4th grade. Her goal: To be president of Liberia.
  • Lovetee Gbasley, 5 yrs, K-1. Her goal: To be a doctor.
  • Agnes Gardea, 17 yrs, 6th grade. Her goal: To be a nurse.
  • Famatta S. Johnson, 16 yrs; 9th grade. Her goal: To be a lawyer.
  • Precious Lolay, 7 yrs, grade K-1. Her goal: To be a teacher.
  • Cynthia Sackie, 18 yrs, 12th grade. Her goal: To be a nurse.

In this video, some of the girls sing for us at their school, Action Faith Institute. Thanks to their sponsors, they’re on track toward reaching their dream jobs, even though you may have noticed above that some of them are older than the average student should be in their grade. But a late start is better than none at all.

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