Liberia: Facing the Challenges of this Deprived Nation
There are many problems we face as citizens of this world. Few of these concerns are more disparaging to think about than those which exist from countries and cultures that lack the resources they need in order to support their citizens, economically and socially. This is the position in which the people of Liberia find themselves in. This country of just over 5 million people is in a constant struggle. All their lives are impacted by the reality of the challenges of the country. However, none are more affected than the lives of its children. If children are the future, they should be given the resources to do so and help their country thrive.
This has been an ongoing challenge made worse by horrific events. Civil war and unrest for fourteen years has torn Liberia apart at the seams. A derailed economy stripped away their chance to grow and recover, setting them back further than anyone can really say. Add in Ebola and its deadly impact, and the picture grows more dismal. These abysmal events are the dire reality of what Liberian people wake up to daily. It is heartbreaking to see how the people that make up the families and society of this nation are exposed to extreme poverty and oppression when they truly need hope, education, and opportunity. To change this outcome would be a blessing and a dream come true.
What Economic Challenges Create
Struggle is commonplace in Liberia. Over half of their population is unable to meet their basic needs for life. They are victims of a failing economy that has resulted in devastated lives. What makes the challenges even more heartbreaking are that the adults’ problems directly impact the children. It is impossible to imagine what it must feel like to say “there will be no food today” to a hungry child, maybe even a child who cannot speak yet. You don’t need a voice to feel the sadness that comes from going without food.
When adults want to work and cannot or have to work at such a low wage that it barely covers essential needs, you cannot build up a strong and viable economy. Instead, you end up with uneducated and poor individuals doing whatever they can to provide some type of financial means for their family. In these situations, it angers a person to think of how these people are being taken advantage of due to a lack of education. This basically equates to leaving them feeling like they have little or no worth. As we know, all humans have worth, and Liberians are no exception!
Education is Critical
According to data from UNICEF, “Liberia is significantly behind most African countries in nearly all education statistics. It has one of the highest levels of out of school children in the world.” The odds are not in the favor of children in Liberia—this statistic alone is evidence of this.
Education is what can keep children off the streets and working toward being able to do more, and become more, for their country. One child who is homeless and forced to make poor choices just to eat is tragic. Then there are those vulnerable children who become victims of tragic crimes like human trafficking. It makes a person feel numb to imagine what becomes of their lives. It does not have to be this way.
The Human Condition is Everyone’s Problem
As citizens of this world, it offers both encouragement and a serious pause for self-reflection to see the severity of the situations that exist in places we often don’t think about. Liberia is among the worst. To help improve their situation it is going to take a lot of work and it is a long road ahead. Despite these seemingly insurmountable odds there is hope for the country’s future.
This hope starts with nonprofits and other organizations to step in and start to make change at a grass roots level. A caring person on the ground is a far stronger advocate than a distant voice that offers money with strings attached. Through the advocacy of caring individuals’ basic human rights can be met. This includes being acknowledged as a citizen (few children under five are even acknowledged as being born), receiving education to build your own future, and being ensured that you have the basic nutritional needs you require met.
Tonight, as you reflect on your day of work, food, and security, do not be afraid to think of how different the day’s reflection is for someone who has none of these things. Take this time to evaluate what your role, minor or significant, could be in changing the outcome to one of favor for even one Liberian person who struggles.
The human condition is a problem we all need to concern ourselves with.
Let’s Work Together to Empower Liberia’s Underprivileged and Underserved Youth
Everything we do at Rose’s Organization for Advocacy and Development (ROAD) is in hopes of making a profound difference in the lives of underprivileged and underserved youth in Liberia. Seeing the obstacles that they are up against breaks the heart and inspires us to help. We hope it does the same for you! Together, we can turn the heartbreak into inspiration. Whether it’s advocating against the perils of human trafficking, offering opportunities to receive education, or uplifting the disabled, we use our resources and volunteers to make a positive impact that changes live in a profound manner.
It is not only a duty of heart but also one of high ethical importance to ensure that vulnerable populations such as what Liberian children represent are best served. It is no surprise that it takes money to do this and, in a world, where people are always asking for help, we admit to you that we also need help. There is so much to do, and we are on the ground every day giving these precious children in need our best efforts so we can guide them toward a brighter future—one that will positively impact Liberia as a country, not only the children we can reach. And if there was ever a rally cry for “no child left behind,” it rings true for Liberian children, who are historically more underserved than in many other countries.
The Key to Positive Change
Education is the key to all of the changes we are hoping to make. Teaching the youth trade skills, mentoring them, and offering vital health services has the potential to change the entire country’s trajectory. Can you imagine how wonderful it will be when today’s educated become tomorrow’s leaders? It is a moment we are all waiting for and one that your contributions can help ensure happens.
Making a difference begins with small steps and as it builds momentum, it takes children into the future better prepared. In time, they find the confidence and skills to become their own advocates for their best life. ROAD’s will not rest until we have done our part to make this happen and have asked everyone possible to give just a little to help in the pursuit of this better life for Liberian children. Our volunteers and those who support this important work through donations matter greatly! These individuals are the hope, catalyst, and action that will lead to Liberia’s brighter future.
To give you an idea of the struggles that Liberian children face, you need look no further than a government census. There was a census conducted in 2008 that revealed one of Liberia’s biggest challenges—that of a 14% population that has to live with disabilities. The number is still accurate in 2021. With practically zero attention to this major problem from authorities, it is clear that the best way to resolve this issue is through NGOs like ROAD, who get caring people on the ground. Every person has a purpose, including those who are disabled. It’s our call as decent human beings in this world to recognize this and do what we can. Only with your help can ROAD’s create sustainable life changes that enable the disabled to be valuable contributors to their own families and society. A fair chance at dignity is what these vulnerable youth require and what we try to help them secure.
How You Can Help
ROAD’s founder Benjamin Rose says, “It’s incredible to see how big of an impact even a small donation can have on these lives, What is small and manageable to us becomes something big and brilliant to a child in Liberia.” Wouldn’t you like to be a part of that? You are the difference we need. Please consider donating to us so we can continue this noble and necessary work. Visit our donation link here: https://www.rosesoad.org.
Thank you for not turning away and being a part of the solution.
Donate Today!
“The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: ‘If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?’ But…the good Samaritan reversed the question: ‘If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?’”
―Martin Luther King Jr.
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