Computer by Candlelight

April 10, 2014

Here I sit writing an entry into my blog, connected to the internet via a cell phone modem while lit by candlelight. There is no electricity or running water. Everyone seems to have a cell phone, although they often call and quickly hang up to signal you are the one to pay for the return call. A text message is rare since many cannot read or write.This is what is happening in the third world, gigantic steps in technology while education and services we take for granted await arrival. 

Wild Night at Dr. Nick's

April 6, 2014
The Wolekemah Women's Organization had its weekly meeting followed by a visit to Dr. Nick's for some homemade eggnog (sans eggs), laced with native-made, natural, organic cane juice. Wow, that is some egg nog!

Some egg non, ladies?

White men can dance too.

Some of the crowd

Mentoring Program Expands

April 6, 2014
The second group of Cuttington University student mentors are now matched with primary school students in Sinyea village. The program now has 120 primary school students and over 20 university student mentors. Meals are served to all students after they meet with their mentors.

Students with notebooks and pens after registering.

With some university mentors, all of whom were my students.

I have a group to mentor too.

Dr. Nick's Update Report

April 6, 2014
Painting is almost complete and wooden tables are being built. The woman who will operate Dr. Nick's and her family are active participants in its construction. Merchandise is on the shelves and in the cooler for sale.Several Cuttington University student are active in making business and promotional decisions.

The Grand Opening is scheduled for Saturday, April 26th. Cuttington University students are back from visiting their families during Easter Break and hopefully flush with cash.

Painting almost completed. Note ladder.

Taking and bringing wood from wood shop 1/2 mile away. Another job women do. 

Dr. Nick's Dedication

April 2, 2014

Having a new business blessed is a good way to start. Tonight a group from the nearby Pentecostal church came for Dr. Nick's dedication. It is a beautiful sight to see church ladies wind their way in procession down the hill with their flashlights shining. Lots of signing and dancing, all seeming going well until the doors to Dr. Nick's were opened reveling its contents of beer and whisky.

Undeterred, the pastor continued reading the 23rd Psalm, took the donation and soft drinks.

Dr. Nick's dedication participants

Mentoring Lessons

April 3, 2014

Martina W. Kohn with students

Scenes like this of Cuttington University student, Martina Kohn, mentoring 60+ Sinyea primary school students are in the second week. Demand is great from town residents who seem happy that someone is paying attention to their students educational needs. The mentors are feeling great satisfaction for their efforts. This Sunday marks the establishment of matching a second group of Sinyea students with mentors.

Some early observations highlight the problems mentors, students, and parents face. Their seems to be a great disconnect between the perceived level of education and actual skills. Students take classes far in excess of their actual skill levels. They pass from grade to grade without ever mastering basic reading, writing, and math skills. To some extend this is due to the students who see little relevance in what the lessons to their daily life and are so far behind in skill level they simply sit in class unable to understand the lesson. Another reason is that the educational level of the parents is so low that they lack the education to assist their children with their lessons, are intimidated by teachers whom they respect, and feel that if their child is enrolled in school, they are advancing. A final leg of this problem is the educational system itself which permits students to advance in grades if teachers are paid or students provide sex. There is little wonder that no applicant to the University of Liberia passed the entrance exam, yet the school is full of students. Cuttington University is no different..

When in Samoa, I was critical that the only book in people's homes was 'The Holy Bible". But, Samoans could read and understand it, giving the country a very high literacy rate in both written Samoan and English. Liberian churches and church schools don't even try to have their followers read. Everything is just oral.

Get Free Condoms Here

April 3, 2014
"Get Free Condoms Here" signs are appearing everywhere on campus, at departmental offices and kiosks at Cuttington University. This is due to the student group "HIV/AIDS Prevention and Family Planning's" to not only distribute condoms but to establish places where students can get additional condoms as needed.

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