On March 8th we welcomed the team to Liberia. Our mission was to instruct women and girls in the making of their own Menstrual Hygiene Kits.
The hustle and bustle of the airport is an experience in itself, especially after traveling for 24 hours plus.
On Saturday, March 9th, there was some orientation to the guesthouse where we were staying, unloading suitcases, sorting crafts, and planning our weeks ahead. And of course, preparing food and eating together.
The hustle and bustle of the airport is an experience in itself, especially after traveling for 24 hours plus.
On Saturday, March 9th, there was some orientation to the guesthouse where we were staying, unloading suitcases, sorting crafts, and planning our weeks ahead. And of course, preparing food and eating together.
The “quilt ladies” also stopped by with some beautiful quilts that were too hard to resist. Maude told us the story of the Coffee Tree quilt. Look it up at this website https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-40500884
On Sunday, the 10th, we went to church with Rev. Emile Sam-Peal, our host at the guesthouse and leader of the Dignity:Liberia NGO in Liberia.
Then we spent the rest of the day preparing for our first teaching session.
Monday, the 11th and Tuesday, the 12th, it was at Lott Carey Baptist Mission School that we started the journey of teaching and learning how to make personal hygiene kits in Liberia. But it wasn’t all serious work, we had some great fun with jump ropes and necklaces.
Also, Kay had the wonderful opportunity to share music with the Music Instructor at Lott Carey through Recorders. The students really enjoyed and the teacher was very enthusiastic about being able to teach a wind instrument. We had a few but we will collect more to send to them
On Wednesday, March 12th , it was Decoration Day where family graves were
cleaned up and decorated and loved ones remembered. We took the time
to visit the grave of a missionary that had died while working at Ricks Institute,
Jenny Mills.
Then we continued preparations to head up country to Phebe to visit the
Rehabilitation Center and a trek to Coopertown.
Thursday, March 14th was mostly driving. We passed a parade that was in celebration of J.J. Roberts Day, a holiday in honor of the first Liberian President. We checked in at the Passion Hotel. A pleasant stay where there is a restaurant, comfortable rooms with running water and even air-conditioners. Keep in mind the current (electricity) was only on from 5:30 pm until 8:30 am. We found out that the owner, Tormorlah Varpilah, is on the board at Phebe Hospital. He runs a Children’s Center in Gbargna providing extra education and food for the community children. While we were there, they had a party for all the children. What a great way to celebrate life!
On Friday, March 15th, we spent the day at the Rehabilitation Center. Unfortunately, most of the staff had been let go because of funding cuts, but they came to visit with us. We pulled out the materials and taught how to make the hygiene kits, necklaces and jump ropes. They fed us a wonderful lunch of Palm Butter and dry rice. Sao led us in singing about the blessings of the Lord and affirmed that we shall meet again. With the financial uncertainty of the Rehab Center, Sao and Lemu will be the only ones left that can help out the girls.
On Saturday, March 16th, a group of five, Linda, Kathi, Kay, Susie, and Vicki, set out for Coopertown. The others went back to Rehab and taught how to write their name on chalkboards we gave them, origami, clear stones with words of encouragement and braided necklaces. A few years back, a group of women from Kansas City had gotten together money to have a well built in the village (see Verna’s Well). Now they were coming to visit and see the village and meet the people.
On Sunday, the 17th, we headed back to Monrovia where we took the afternoon off and went to the beach.
On Monday, the 18th, we were ready for our
last teaching session at Effort Baptist Church.
But first on Monday morning was our
shopping on Benson street for fabric and
clothing!
At Effort, women from the community were invited to come and learn about making hygiene kits as well as other crafts such as ribbons. They were excited about the ribbons for practical reasons, “We can make ribbons for the ushers!” There were two sessions, Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning.
Tuesday afternoon, we had a chance to go by our office to show it to everyone. Matthew
was such a great help throughout this entire trip. We also had a chance to visit with
Juliette Mulbah.
On Wednesday, the 20th, it was time to go! We finished packing and headed into the city. After we dropped off our luggage at Brussels Airline city check-in, we headed to the Ministry of Health to give them feedback on our trip. We taught over 150 women and girls during our stay. They were so excited and extended an invitation to come back again and teach many of the teachers from the schools in Monrovia to keep the information being passed on.
 | Becky Mueller Huner, R.N. |
RSS Feed