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 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.

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.

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

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, 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.

Second Lady, Madam Katumu Boikai, is a very lovely lady

and made it known to us by coming to our program. Her outfit was made by the disabled people she works with known as the Group of ‘77. The color and design are truly nice. The group of ‘77 was started when President William R. Tolbert paid a visit to Ethiopia in 1977 and saw industrious things disabled people were doing there. When he returned to Liberia, the Group of ‘77 was founded and has been chaired by the office of the Vice President with the office of the Second Lady based there on Newport Street.

Here are a few more highlights from my trip to Egypt where I attended a conference on Adolescent Girls Advocacy Leadership Initiative sponsored by the UN Adolescent Girls Program. We were a delegation of six persons from Liberia, from local NGOs.

On Sunday we went to the Alexandria Library, and also visited a museum in the lower level of the library. The library is a beautiful and modern place with state-of-the-art equipment. There is so much history in Egypt; what a great honor to be able to see some of the sites.

Global Giving will be matching funds for our project at 50% of whatever you contribute… sure would appreciate your support today… even $10 will be matched at an additional $5 So follow this LINK or

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On May 30th, we were honored to present for graduation, 24 girls from our Think home, from 7 of the 15 counties.

We are grateful to donors from Samaritan’s Purse Germany, Canada and USA for supporting us with funding and gifts in kind. This cycle of girls has been a challenge, but we are very proud of them, and we ask for your prayers as they step out to begin a second chance in life.