Cohort One, TEAM, Inc. When you share knowledge you usually never know if you inspired anyone or made a difference. This past February board members of Dignity:Liberia and talented volunteers traveled to Liberia to teach several sessions on how to sew washable/reusable menstrual pads and holders. Classes were full and learners were serious. Approximately 435 persons attended classes. Ages of learners ranged from 6th grade to women with families. Women talked about making kits for themselves and family members, or even to make kits to sell in the market. Boys told me they were going to go home and teach their mothers and aunties. Obviously, there is a big need and much interest.
Several of the volunteers have taught these classes before. But I was new to the project. So new that a young woman in my first class said, “ah, we are cohort one” and nodded her head. She proceeded to tell me that she and the other women at the table intended to teach these classes in rural areas and other high needs locations. I was hot and stressed and didn’t take it all in. Yes, cohort one challenged my teaching skills. We shared contact info but I didn’t assume I would ever hear from her. Little did I know that she indeed had big plans.
The lady who talked to me was Samkay Karworzohn and she is the president of “TEAM, Inc” in Liberia. It is a small NGO that is involved with many organizations that support women and children. Their name stands for “Together Everyone Achieves More”. Areas they have been involved in include substance abuse prevention and awareness, mental and reproductive health, and social inclusion of vulnerable groups. The women are mentors and advocates.
Several of the volunteers have taught these classes before. But I was new to the project. So new that a young woman in my first class said, “ah, we are cohort one” and nodded her head. She proceeded to tell me that she and the other women at the table intended to teach these classes in rural areas and other high needs locations. I was hot and stressed and didn’t take it all in. Yes, cohort one challenged my teaching skills. We shared contact info but I didn’t assume I would ever hear from her. Little did I know that she indeed had big plans.
The lady who talked to me was Samkay Karworzohn and she is the president of “TEAM, Inc” in Liberia. It is a small NGO that is involved with many organizations that support women and children. Their name stands for “Together Everyone Achieves More”. Areas they have been involved in include substance abuse prevention and awareness, mental and reproductive health, and social inclusion of vulnerable groups. The women are mentors and advocates.
Class one, Kakata Before I left Liberia Samkay reached out to me as promised. She wrote about “period poverty”. She told me women are shunned if they try to go out in public with no way to collect their monthly flow. They cannot work or go to school for that week so fall behind. Their mental health suffers. Samkay wanted to make a difference. She knew these kits were important.
I returned to the U.S. in March. Samkay busied herself trying to find partners and teaching locations. She stayed positive.
On April 5, 2024 TEAM held its first class in Kakata. This is a small town about an hour northwest of the capitol. 40 women and girls attended and 95% were able to finish their project. TEAM provided the fabric, plastic and pattern as well as needles and thread. A success but just the beginning.
I returned to the U.S. in March. Samkay busied herself trying to find partners and teaching locations. She stayed positive.
On April 5, 2024 TEAM held its first class in Kakata. This is a small town about an hour northwest of the capitol. 40 women and girls attended and 95% were able to finish their project. TEAM provided the fabric, plastic and pattern as well as needles and thread. A success but just the beginning.
| On April 11, 2024 TEAM held their second class. This time at a school in Gbarnga. This is a modest sized city about 3 hours northwest of the capitol. They taught 34 students that day. Again, they provided the materials for the sewing kits. Next thing I heard, Samkay had applied to the Ministry of Justice for a permit to teach classes within the women’s prison system. The prisoners are not provided with sanitary supplies so suffer the discomfort and embarrassment while they serve their time. On May 9, 2024 TEAM taught their first prisoner class in Gbarnga. 10 inmates attended and 2 TEAM members were able to travel that distance. |  Class two, Gbarnga, John K Bakule school |
Class three, Gbarnga women’s prison On July 9, 2024 two TEAM members traveled to Saniquillie, which is a small town 4 ½ hours northwest of the capitol. They taught 18 inmates how to sew hygiene kits and 3 guards!
Within 5 months of Dignity:Liberia’s first class in Monrovia, another group has taught 105 more people how to sew hygiene kits. I wonder how many people those 105 may have shared their knowledge with? I hope that many people who attended classes have taught someone else. I feel lucky to know that the information the Dignity:Liberia team shared in February is definitely spreading.
Class four, Saniquillie women’s prison
 | Anne-Marie Mueller Anne-Marie Mueller has been a Dignity:Liberia board since the start. She is a retired RN who worked Pediatrics, Post Anesthesia and did a little teaching. Her husband grew up in Liberia, moving to the US at age 15. He shared his love of Liberia with Anne-Marie. |
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