Liberia

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 will help keep children off the streets and working toward being able become more and recognize their greatness—plus help their country too!

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 stepping up to address the problem and implement changes at the grass roots level.

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.