ThinkLiberia

Love In Every Language

2011-07-19T16:00:19Z

Does Love Cross Borders?

It’s been said that love is a universal language, and everywhere you go, you can “feel the love.” But the question pops into my mind “Does love truly cross borders when you do?” When you step out of a plane into a new country what are the first things that go through your mind? Do you come to this new place with an attitude or expectation of love?

A Country of Love

Liberia is one of those places that you can definately “feel” the love. When you step onto the tarmac you can tell that this place is special; this place holds a deep ability to love. In recent years it has not always been this way. The country has been ravaged by war and hardship but is now on the way to rebuilding itself and learning to love again.

Love comes in all sizes, shapes and forms. It can come in the image of a doctor, a school teacher, politician or anyone who wants to see Liberia rise to greater heights of love, if you are willing to embrace the culture, and love regardless of race or social economics. Some people harm others that are trying to break down barriers by saying “It is impossible to love in every language.” Love comes in many different forms as well: a smile, a hand shake, a hug, a nod of the head. You do not need to speak a certain language in order to show love and to speak love.

So will you and do you show love in every language?

Magnolia Middle School determined to make a difference!

2011-05-09T13:36:52Z

The students of Magnolia Middle School have read the play, “Problems to Solve” written by the youth of Burning Barriers, Building Bridges Theatre Program in Liberia.

Now, they are on a mission to make a difference! CLICK to help them with this project.

They have been collecting donations of school supplies and will be soliciting donations to assist with more arts education opportunities this upcoming summer, as well as, tuition for middle school students in Liberia. ####Please support their efforts by donating today at Global Giving! Click for this Project

Distinguished Leadership Award

2011-04-22T15:05:23Z

We Are The Leaders of Our World

Ms. Meredith McQuaid, Associate Vice President and Dean, International Programs, Dean Greg Lindsey, Interim Dean, Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, Ms. Sudha Shetty, Director Hubert H. Humphrey International Fellowship Program, Faculty of the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, Graduates,

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am most honored to have been asked to serve as the Key Note speaker at this most auspicious occasion.

I have a question. Are leaders born or are leaders made?

By the end of my address, you can decide what the answer is. I often wonder what transformed this shy little girl into a proactive voice of change in the Republic of Liberia? Though I am an introvert by nature, I am prompted to speak out when necessary.

]]>

Getting involved with the development process in Liberia is an obligation for me. I would say, passion and the need to give back to community has been my driving force. I have found out that using knowledge and skills you possess helps you to achieve your goal, but developing the knowledge and skills take you to another level in your professional endeavors.

Starting the organization called Touching Humanity In Need of Kindness (THINK) was prompted when I participated in conducting a survey to learn about the war experiences of women and girls in Liberia. Listening to the stories of the women in our team and hearing the stories of many women and girls in the environs of Monrovia and later in the Ivory Coast from Liberian refugee women and girls, I was compelled to do something.

My intentions were good but I lacked skills in being a great leader. Along came the opportunity of being a Humphrey International Fellow.

When I arrived here in Minneapolis, I was the oldest in my group, a grandmother, and I feared that I would be older than my host family. As it turned out I wasn’t. I have the most wonderful host family!

My roommate and I had opposite personalities; she is an extrovert, Muslim, I am introvert, Christian, but we have two things in common. We both came from conflict countries and we both are coffee drinkers.

I did two affiliations that have enhanced my work in Liberia to the highest level. The quiet reserved Rosana is now a proactive Rosana.

In child protection, my organization is actively engaging the National Senate to pass the Children’s Act along with another local NGO called Helping Our People Excel (HOPE), the Child Protection Network of Liberia, and the Ministry of Gender and Development.

I give thanks to Hennepin County Department of Public Health Human Services, Child Protective Services and my mentor Ms. Deborah Hodgkins and Ms. Lynn Lewis, my Supervisor for helping me develop the skills to do this.

My second affiliation was with “Alternatives to Family Violence” in Denver, Colorado Thanks to the mentoring of my supervisor, Ms. Yolanda Gotier. When I returned to Liberia, rather than being in the back seat, my organization, THINK, became the lead agency in the provision of Clinical Management of Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Liberia.

Graduates, I am here to challenge you to take back to your countries what you have acquired this year and make the most of it. Keep in contact and network with those you have had the opportunity to meet and work with. Would you on your own have been able to go inside the State Department or the World Bank, or go to any city of your choice and attend a training seminar from the American Management Association (AMA)? Would you have had the opportunity to meet and mix with so many mid-level professionals from around the world? Would you have had the opportunity to have a mentor from a sophisticated county government and learn about policy and management in such a setting?

My country has come out of 14 years of civil war and there is so much to be done to restore normalcy, good governance and infrastructure. My life has not been the same since I returned home. I am sure that you will agree with me that this year has been valuable. Do take these last 6 weeks seriously as you go to your affiliations. Prepare to shine as true alumni of the HHH International Fellowship Program. You can make the legacy of the great American from Minnesota, Hubert H. Humphrey shine in your corner of our global community. Hubert Humphrey left such a legacy because his focus was directed toward selfless service to citizens of the United States. We are here because he also had a vision of providing opportunities to develop leaders from other parts of the world.

In conclusion, I want to ask you about the question I pose at the beginning of my speech, what do you think? Are leaders born or are they made?

How do you answer that question after your year here? The course we took in Leadership for the Common Good is a major building block for the Humphrey International Fellowship Program. My sincere thanks to Professor Garry DeCramer, Ms. Sudha Shetty and their teams for presenting such basic principles of leadership to us that we can use practically in our home countries. Some leaders are born but all true and productive leaders are made.

Thank you to the University of Minnesota and the Humphrey School of Public Affairs for the opportunity to be here, to receive this honorable reward, and speak to you today.

If you are interested in the original full length version of this speech, read below:
We Are The Leaders of Our World

I have a question. Are leaders born or are leaders made? By the end of my address, you can decide what the answer is. I often wonder what transformed this shy little girl into a proactive voice of change in the Republic of Liberia? Though I am an introvert by nature, I am prompted to speak out when necessary. Getting involved with the development process in Liberia is an obligation for me. I would say, passion and the need to give back to community has been my driving force. I have found out that using knowledge and skills you possess helps you to achieve your goal, but developing the knowledge and skills take you to another level in your professional endeavors. Starting the organization called Touching Humanity In Need of Kindness (THINK) was prompted when I participated in conducting a survey to learn about the war experiences of women and girls in Liberia. Listening to the stories of the women in our team and hearing the stories of many women and girls in the environs of Monrovia and later in the Ivory Coast from Liberian refugee women and girls, I was compelled to do something. My intentions were good but I lacked skills in being a great leader. Along came the opportunity of being a Humphrey International Fellow. When I arrived here in Minneapolis, I was the oldest in my group, a grandmother, and I feared that I would be older than my host family. As it turned out I wasn’t. I have the most wonderful host family! My roommate and I had opposite personalities; she is an extrovert, Muslim, I am introvert, Christian, but we have two things in common. We both came from conflict countries and we both are coffee drinkers. I did two affiliations that have enhanced my work in Liberia to the highest level. The quiet reserved Rosana is now a proactive Rosana. In child protection, my organization is actively engaging the National Senate to pass the Children’s Act along with another local NGO called Helping Our People Excel (HOPE), the Child Protection Network of Liberia, and the Ministry of Gender and Development. I give thanks to Hennepin County Department of Public Health Human Services, Child Protective Services and my mentor Ms. Deborah Hodgkins and Ms. Lynn Lewis, my Supervisor for helping me develop the skills to do this. My second affiliation was with “Alternatives to Family Violence” in Denver, Colorado Thanks to the mentoring of my supervisor, Ms. Yolanda Gotier. When I returned to Liberia, rather than being in the back seat, my organization, THINK, became the lead agency in the provision of Clinical Management of Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Liberia.
Graduates, I am here to challenge you to take back to your countries what you have acquired this year and make the most of it. Keep in contact and network with those you have had the opportunity to meet and work with. Would you on your own have been able to go inside the State Department or the World Bank, or go to any city of your choice and attend a training seminar from the American Management Association (AMA)? Would you have had the opportunity to meet and mix with so many mid-level professionals from around the world? Would you have had the opportunity to have a mentor from a sophisticated county government and learn about policy and management in such a setting? My country has come out of 14 years of civil war and there is so much to be done to restore normalcy, good governance and infrastructure. My life has not been the same since I returned home. I am sure that you will agree with me that this year has been valuable. Do take these last 6 weeks seriously as you go to your affiliations. Prepare to shine as true alumni of the HHH International Fellowship Program. You can make the legacy of the great American from Minnesota, Hubert H. Humphrey shine in your corner of our global community. Hubert Humphrey left such a legacy because his focus was directed toward selfless service to citizens of the United States. We are here because he also had a vision of providing opportunities to develop leaders from other parts of the world. In conclusion, I want to ask you about the question I pose at the beginning of my speech, what do you think? Are leaders born or are they made? How do you answer that question after your year here? The course we took in Leadership for the Common Good is a major building block for the Humphrey International Fellowship Program. My sincere thanks to Professor Garry DeCramer, Ms. Sudha Shetty and their teams for presenting such basic principles of leadership to us that we can use practically in our home countries. Some leaders are born but all true and productive leaders are made. Thank you to the University of Minnesota and the Humphrey School of Public Affairs for the opportunity to be here, to receive this honorable reward, and speak to you today.

THINK 2011

2010-12-31T19:06:48Z

International Delegation Visits THINK

2010-11-27T13:52:52Z

Many thanks goes out to the International Reporting Project (IRP) Delegation to Liberia for taking the time to visit THINK this month. We appreciate your concern for gender based violence in Liberia.

Read the full story HERE

Gatekeeper Editors

Juhie Bhatia, managing editor, Women’s eNews, New York John Diaz, editorial page editor, San Francisco Chronicle, California Tiffany Harness, deputy foreign editor, The Washington Post, Washington DC Jordana Hochman, editor, “Morning Edition,” National Public Radio, Washington DC Laura McClure Houghton, new media editor, Mother Jones magazine, San Francisco, CA Denise Johnson, editorial board member, Star Tribune, Minneapolis, Minnesota Sunni Khalid, managing news editor, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, Maryland Robert Little, director, investigations, The Baltimore Sun, Maryland Toni Randolph, editor for new audiences, Minnesota Public Radio, Minnesota Steven Scher, executive producer, KUOW-FM, Seattle, Washington Teresa Wiltz, senior editor, The Root.com, Washington DC

International Reporting Project (IRP)

Louise Lief, deputy director, International Reporting Project (IRP), Washington DC Ed Robbins, producer-writer-director, International Reporting Project - TIME.com, New York John Schidlovsky, director, International Reporting Project (IRP), Washington DC

Foundation representatives accompanying delegation

Sean Harder, program officer, The Stanley Foundation, Muscatine, Iowa Vanessa Parra, communications manager, Humanity United, Redwood City, California Julia Thornton communications manager, Humanity United Alexander Turnacliff, program associate, The Stanley Foundation, Muscatine, Iowa

Lunch with the President

2010-10-02T14:50:18Z

THINK in collaboration with Burning Barriers and Building Bridges (Jasmine Blanks’ group) worked with children of this orphanage, The Children’s Rescue Center Mission situated near where I live in Mount Barclay. The founder was a graduate of Monrovia Bible Institute and my dad, the late Henry Hungerpiller, supported her for several years during the war. She and her husband have both passed and their children are carrying on the ministry.

]]> When Jasmine told me she wanted to come to Liberia last year, I encouraged her to come in collaboration with THINK as I was a Humphrey Fellow from Liberia and this fostered cultural exchange. She got a grant from the University of MN and was able to come this year.

She could only come during the summer and THINK Home girls are out during the summer so I arranged with the orphanage for her to work with their children since they are there year round and can read and write. The girls at our THINK safe home are transitory and many cannot read and write. Jasmine is a music, art and drama teacher and this group suited what she wanted to do.

She has a cousin whose father is related to Aunty Jennie Bernard, President Sirleaf’s sister, so that is how the whole thing got connected to the President.

The children named the Play themselves and wrote the script and dedicated the Play in the President’s honor. Aunty Jennie told the President about Jasmine and what she was doing here and Jasmine got invited to go as part of the First Family for the July 26th celebrations in Nimba County. By the time she returned from Nimba, we were told that Her Excellency (H.E.) wanted to attend the play.

H.E. had a one-day state visit to the Republic of Guinea on the day of the play, August 17, 2010. She beat all odds and came to see the second part of the play that evening straight from Roberts International Airport to Monrovia City Hall.

I got to escort the President to her seat in the balcony where she refused to sit and insisted that she be brought to sit with the audience downstairs. My daughter, Nadine, took charge along with the Presidential securities and rearranged seating to accommodate the President on the front row and then went up and ushered the President to her seat.

I again got the opportunity to escort the President on Sunday for the luncheon. Praise God everything went well and we acted as if we have been doing high profile functions before. The experience was great.

At the end of the play, H.E. President Sirleaf invited the cast to have lunch with her as a token of her appreciation for their hard work and good performance. After the luncheon she invited the kids to watch an international football game at SKD Sport Complex two weeks later. She paid for tickets for them. You may notice all the flags on the tables for the luncheon, it was just before Flag Day so each child got a flag and a green “Keep Monrovia Clean” cap from the City Mayor.

Girls in Group 8 are here!

2010-10-02T13:43:03Z

The girls are here… THINK’s 8th group of girls will go through a 9 month rehabilitation program this year. Process consist of life skills training, educational classes, counseling, and spiritual awareness. Special Mention by Rosana Schaack: We have an 18 year-old mother of triplet girls in this group that was referred to THINK by the City Mayor of Monrovia earlier this year. She and the triplets have been at the Juvenile Transit Center waiting for Cycle 8 to get some empowerment skills to help her raise the girls. Her husband was employed by the City Mayor to help with income for the family. The couple is from Grand Bassa County. They had brought the babies to Monrovia to be adopted, but there is a ban on international adoptions right now.

Money Bubble sends 5 kids to school

2010-09-25T21:50:07Z

THINK was given a winning number by a UN friend that won a chance to get $70,000.00 Liberian Dollars in a money bubble put on by one of the cell phone companies in Monrovia, Liberia.

Rosana Schaack’s son, Richard, went into the bubble for THINK and was able to collect $9,760.00 Liberian Dollars. Funds from Cornersone Community Church were added to the money to pay school fees for 5 children at THINK’s Juvenile Transit Center. Three of the older girls and one little boy benefited from the money won from the Comium Cell Phone Company money bubble.

]]> Richard Schaack had one minute to grab money from the air. He could pick the money up and grab but was not allowed to pick from the floor or on the walls. He aimed for the fifty dollar bills; THINK got $9,760.00 (Liberian Dollars.) The first young man got $8,000.00. Though the first person grabbed more money, he had a lot of ten dollar bills. The money put into the bubble was fifties and tens bills… Thank you, Comium Cell Phone Company, for helping 5 kids attend school this year, and thanks to Cornerstone Community Church for your continued support.

Even if I'm a small drop in the ocean...

2010-09-04T22:28:31Z

A visit to Liberia last December brought me face to face with the bravery of Dr. Martha Zarway, one of a very few number of Liberian doctors currently practicing in the country of Liberia. Dr. Zarway’s vision to provide quality health care in a country that is used to accepting sub-standard care, should be an example to the community that integrity, honesty and hard work can make a difference.

When asked why she has invested her time, talents and finances into her country with the passion found in very few, she explains, “even if I’m a small drop in the ocean… that drop must be so distinct that it stands out above all the other drops.”

In 2009 Dr. Zarway took a risk and invested in building and opening a hospital on Duport Road in the Paynesville community of Monrovia, Liberia. Although Dr. Zarway is the only full time doctor on the premises, Kingdom Care offers 24 hour care for emergencies, general medicine, pediatrics, and full service OB/GYN care.

]]> This December (2010) a venture trip opportunity is available for members of Cornerstone Community Church in Orangeburg, SC. Since the trip is being funded entirely through donations, members are seeking prayer partners and financial supporters to assist in helping them use their experience to assist Dr. Zarway. If you are interested in making a commitment to pray for them, or assist with financial help, feel free to inquire HERE.

A Request from the President: photo repatriation

2010-08-22T21:31:27Z

If you don’t know where you came from, how can you know where you are going? - Sando Moore, Liberian photojournalist

Much of Liberia’s photographic record of its peaceful past has been destroyed by war. The National Museum sits mostly empty - and closed. On a suggestion from President Sirleaf, we are collecting images of pre-war Liberia, in the hopes of returning them to the National Museum in Monrovia, to help in the country’s rebuilding process. If you have photos that you think would be suitable for this project, or would like to contribute, we’d love to hear from you. Send photos to liberia77@gmail.com or contact at liberia77

]]> YOU’RE INVITED TO A PHOTO EXHIBITION

featuring photographers Andrew Topham, Jeff Topham, and John Topham

"Problems to Solve" PLAY PRODUCTION

2010-08-14T04:37:16Z

You’re invited to the Play “Problems to Solve” put on at the Monrovia City Hall next Tuesday, August 17th. Ms. Jasmine Blanks has been here in Liberia since June 24, 2010, working with these children that THINK has an outreach Ministry with.

]]> We are quite busy as the President may attend the event so we want it to be the best. This has been a good process for all of us and the children have learned a lot.

Burning Barriers, Building Bridges In collaboration with Touching Humanity In Need of Kindness (THINK) Inc. Invites you to a Play “Problems to Solve” In honor of H. E. Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Date: Tuesday, August 17, 2010 Time: 6:30pm Where: Monrovia City Hall RSVP by Monday, August 16, 2010 cell: 06449944 /06513233

APPOINTED writes theme song...

2010-07-18T00:05:35Z

Appointed

Faye Thompson, a member of an Orangeburg, SC musical group, approached me about writing a theme song for THINK. The plans are to launch it during a benefit concert later in the year. THINK’s motto of Touching Humanity In Need of Kindness was taken into consideration while forming the lyrics.

Devoted is what we need to be…Reaching out to touch humanity…If we come together as one, there is so much we can do…Compassion is what we need to show…Reaching out to those we do and do not know…If you look into a mirror…At the reflection of your face…Think about how you would feel if you were in their place

Faye said the group is still working on the tune and the title, but they plan to make a difference by encouraging others to pull together to touch humanity. We are very grateful and honored to have Appointed use their talents and time to bring awareness to THINK of Liberia.

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Faye Thompson

Latrina Holmes

Anjani Jackson

LaKeisha Lawrence

Formed by local pianist, Maurice Middleton, the sound of Appointed creates a beautiful blend of melodious notes all on one accord to lift up the name of Jesus. The members of Appointed are LaKeisha Fersner-Lawrence, Faye Hubbard-Thompson, Latrina Pepper-Holmes, and Anjani Jackson.

Over a period of 8 years, the members’ paths crossed at various events. There was a unique bond and anointed sound that was noticed when their voices blended. The group has been singing collectively for 3 years and is committed to using their gifts for God’s glory. They have served their local community and surrounding areas by leading praise and worship at churches and various organized events.

They are privileged to be used as vessels to draw others to Christ. They sing to encourage, inspire, uplift, and give hope. Appointed embodies the epitome of sisters in Christ.

The group is accompanied by Maurice Middleton and Judd Jones.

Appointed Singing “Grace”

Fork and Finger Experience in Liberia

2010-07-02T13:28:39Z

In a recent article of personal journeys by White House correspondent for the NY Times, Helene Cooper, we find a delightful article about her recent visit to Liberia, and her “fork and finger” experience with Liberia’s modern cuisine. Helene Cooper is best known in the Liberian community as the author of The House at Sugar Beach.

“I KNEW my plan to spend my recent trip home eating my way around Monrovia was off to a good start when my sister showed up at the airport to greet me accompanied by a pot of bitterleaf over doughy fufu…
Liberian food is my weakness. Hearty, spicy and influenced by the immigrants and settlers who have over the years made this tiny coastal country home, it incorporates the best of West African cooking with traditions from the American South, where enslaved Africans brought their recipes, refined them and then took them back to Africa…
In Liberia, it is the vegetable, not the meat, that is the star. Instead of, say, steak with two sides, it’s a given that a typical Liberian dish will have all manner of meats in it, with dried fish adding a kick. Read full article

Dutch economist praises our new web site

2010-06-27T20:14:28Z

Dr. Fred P.M. van der Kraaij

Economist, Ph.D. currently working at the Evaluation Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Netherlands, praises launch of our new web site, which highlights work done by THINK in Liberia. van der Kraaij previously specialized in economics of African countries, and taught at the University of Liberia in the 1970s. He regularly posts articles of Liberian interests on his blogger.

Both web site and blog are worth visiting, they merit to be added to your favorites. People like Rosana Schaack and her co-workers deserve our adminration and support, they are the builders of a new Liberia on the ruins of the old Liberia.
The plight of the victims of sexual violence should be a concern of us all. Whereas the victims need to be catered for, civil society, politicians and judges in particular should strive to bring to justice not only those responsible for these criminal and heinous acts, but also those responsible for creating an environment of lawlessness making these atrocities possible.
‘Let Justice Be Done To All’ (official Liberian motto ).

Rosana Schaack, Recipient of 2010 Distinguished Leadership Award for Internationals

2010-06-22T19:24:34Z

Rosana Schaack, director of THINK in Liberia,

was one of the 2010 recipients for the Distinguished Leadership Award for Internationals by the University of Minnesota. Schaack was a student at the university (Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs Humphrey Fellow from 2008-2009)

In naming Ms. Rosana Schaack as a recipient of the Distinguished Leadership Award for Internationals, the selection committee cited her role as a public servant, her work to empower the poorest of the poor, and her mission to bring hope to those who need it most. She has made many invaluable contributions to Liberians as a leader, service provider and mentor. She has been a passionate voice for justice for the young women and children of emerging Liberia. She has dedicated her future to fight against gender-based violence and is held in the highest regard in her community and in civil society networks in Liberia and abroad…
The Distinguished Leadership Award for Internationals is a University-wide award for alumni, former students, and friends of the University who have distinguished themselves in their post-university work as leaders in their professional careers.
…Individuals will have attained unusual distinction as professionals in their careers within institutions or in public service and have either demonstrated sustained outstanding achievement and leadership, or demonstrated promise of such on a local, national, or international level.