My Peace Corps Neighbor

Luke Overholt is another one of those special American youths you find in the Peace Corps. He grew up in Nairobi, Kenya where his entomologist father worked, before moving back to the University of Florida. He teaches physics and math at the local public high school where is adored and known by almost everyone in the village.

What is remarkable is his group of Peace Corps Volunteers were evacuated during the Ebola crisis. He along with just a few others elected to return to finish their tour as teachers. During the 9 month hiatus waiting to return, he bicycled across the United States. He is accepted to five medical schools and plans to attend the University of Michigan when he returns at the end of June.He plans to return to Africa to practice.

Luke lives a few houses down from me where he can be found on his porch surrounded by school kids. He has offered to work with some of the college student groups who came to towards the end of my stay for assistance.

Luke Overholt, Peace Corps Volunteer, doing his washing

Old Friends Revisited

Rebekah Schulz (RB) and her husband, Sella. After six years in Liberia as Peace Corps and an employee for USAID, she is returning home in June to get her Master's Degree at Penn in Philadelphia. They plan to return to Liberia to live and where Sella plans to go into business. They are currently building a house for their return.

Dee Tolbert with her daughter, Jovelt. She is married to a former Peace Corps Volunteer, Alex Abbondola, who is teaching in New York City while attending Columbia University. Dee is a student at Cuttington University and plans to join Alex as soon as she can get a visa.

Finney Ojong is my "Man on the Ground" in Monrovia. He is a big help in assisting us in navigating the Liberian bureaucracy as we seek NGO status. He plans to return to Cuttington to continue his education. He is pictured here instructing elementary school students on the use of condoms.

Joseph Goyem, my faithful motorbike driver, with his "brother" Alex Togpah.

Joseph with the computer I brought for him.

Leaving

Leaving is always hard. It is the people you leave behind and the connections you have made that haunt your memories. You hope you have somehow enriched their lives as much as they have enriched yours. Now leaving them connected to the electronic world and with their new plans to go where they never would have dreamed to do before, I look forward to hearing from them and wonder if they can continue to surprise me with their accomplishments.

Togbah Family. Back row: Teto,James, DeeDee, Oretha,Nula, Alex, Blessing, Alice. Front: Ellison, Samuel's daughter, Alice's daughters, Leela and Olivia (smallest not pictured)

Extended family with Joseph kneeling and Yassah with Lorpu. Oh yes, me in the back row.

Back in Minnesota

May 24, 2014

After the long trip back with a few delays to raise one's concerns about what's so great about United Airlines merger with Continental and seeing my family all smiling and healthy, I am trying to be what I was before Liberia. It is what those around me expect. It is the Nick with whom they are familiar.

Adventures come with their costs. Mine is leaving a part of me in Liberia, not experienced by my family, and returning to Minnesota, not experienced by my Liberian friends. I am bisected with emotions from both sides, a sadness for those left, yet a joy of seeing family anew. This is the price I know I would have to pay, but that doesn't make it any easier. As to the cost for others, the ones who patiently waited for my return and those who I had to leave, I hope they realize the innocence of my actions combined with the knowledge they too share the cost.  
Now it is time to continue what I started in Liberia and get back in step with what I left in Minnesota. This is the new adventure which awaits.

Final Days

May 20, 2014

After three days of waiting for hours in long lines to close out my bank account, only to be told the bank would only permit limited withdrawals due to lack of cash, I finally was able to close of the account my sending myself a Moneygram. This means I don't have to travel to the main bank in Monrovia and stay overnight before departing. This gives me an extra day to catch up on all the loose ends and goodbyes.

Liberia is very different from Samoa. Poorer yes, but more expressive in their emotions. I leave with the feeling that besides asking me for money all the time, there is a sincere appreciation of my efforts and a sadness about my leaving. I think I have had some impact on their lives, maybe even a legacy. That is what Peace Corps is all about.  As to Liberia's impact on me, I know it is there; how great I leave to others to judge. That also is what Peace Corps is all about.

Wolekemah Woman say "Thank You"

May 17, 2014

The Wolekemah Women's Organization held a nice ceremony to thank the student mentors and me for our service to the Sinyea Town. I was presented with a lapa (shirt) made from hand-woven country cloth (something I had been looking to buy) and kola nuts (a traditional gift of friendship). Tears came to my eyes and words difficult to say at their generosity and friendship.
After the presentation we all went to Dr. Nick's for drinks and beer. As in Liberian custom, the person who is honored picked up the healthy bill. The student mentors came first followed by the women who partied until after I went home to sleep.

Being presented with a bag of cola nuts (the nuts are bitter)

With some of the Wolekemah Women

Setting up for the festivities

Some student mentors enjoying a drink after the ceremony

Special Recognition

May 16, 2014

Abraham Stewart, Finney and Simeon Ojong of  Project HIV/AIDS Prevention

Some people just do things because it is the right thing to do. These three Cuttington University and former students of mine have undertaken a gigantic program of condom distribution, HIV/AIDS awareness, and family planning at local schools, high-risk populations, and at the university. They quietly act like an army of hundreds and have inspired others to do the same. They have bigger plans for the future. Presenting them with Certificates of Appreciation is all I could do to say "Thank You".