Jola House - Open House and VP Visit

The Jola House team! and VP Boakai

Oh my goodness the last two days have been intense to say the least, working on Jola House in the midst of home drama (nothing to worry about).

Let me first explain a little background, the logistics of what it takes to volunteer, and then the last two days.

Elfreda Mayson is a Liberian, who fled Liberia with her family early in the wars…her husband is a successful OBGYN in New York, and her three children are in university throughout the US.  She decided that she needed to return to her homeland and help the women of her community. She has an MBA and degree in interior design. With education, skills, money, and a spirit that is unmatched she founded the Jola House

To recap here is the Jola House website:Jola House

(And yes the website is on the to do list – remember I just started)

I found Jola House through my efforts to find handmade quilts – Gary mentioned that he had seen a quilt display at one of the local hotels – we went and found a Jola House card wedged underneath the glass countertop of the reception desk – but it was not legible – we finally diverted the attention of the attendant I went behind the counter and was able to retrieve the card and next thing I knew Gary and I were visiting Jola House.

Jola House sits about 35-45 minutes by car from city center – and is maybe 10/12 miles. The road is paved but the further you get into Paynesville the more treacherous the potholes! And once there, it is dusty, dry, HOT, and a small village setting of bombed out buildings, huts, and squatters.

Obviously, this town was once a vibrant neighborhood, now just a remnant of the war. So how do I get there? Well I hire a driver with a 4 x 4 truck (with a/c) and a security guy/assistant. Yes it costs ME money to volunteer and it is not cheap! I hired Dillon a recommendation from a friend, he is 27, smart, clean cut and survived the war by fleeing Liberia to Sierra Leone. Dillon found BK, who is 25 about 6’4” and looks like a tall lean Kanye West. BK just graduated A.M.E. University with a business degree and has a dream of opening his own used car business.

So I was able to hire them both for Friday and Saturday which turned out to be perfect because we worked well together – and we all learned a lot about the world.

Before: everything hung on a rack with no price tags.

Merchandised, with price tags!
 (Yes those bottom two cubes will have product
 by tomorrow morning - it is being made!)

Bags on display

Friday was prep day for Jola House – I went out to prepare the team for the open house, craft the program, coach the speakers, and use what little we had to make an “event.” Additionally, I merchandised and prepared the store so that we looked like a boutique, and the quality products were displayed as such for our guests and the media.

To our delight we learned the Vice President of Liberia, Joseph Boakai would be in attendance! We received his protocol officer, media person, and security lead and we discussed the program and photo opportunities.

My favorite for the day was just bringing excitement and energy to a team already exhausted from doing so much work and preparing for this launch (a Liberian term for every event ). I brought my best and made sure everyone was excited and appreciated!

The team on Friday!

You could tell the energy was getting more and more excited as the day progressed, Dillon helped me clean and price tag all the items and BK acted as a gopher and got us supplies, cold water, and snacks as needed. Was quite a group effort and the Jola team enjoyed having us around. I was proud of Dillon and BK for being so involved and positive.

When it was time to coach the staff on their parts of the program it took all of me not to sob. These women came to Jola less than a year ago malnourished and without a livelihood – and today they were proud partners in a business, a Liberian woman business.  I coached the women and they were so excited, I heard their stories and helped them to focus on key points and phrases and shorten their speeches so that it would have the greatest impact – to say they were thrilled is an understatement – they had limited reading and writing skills but they could get by – and so I hand wrote at their request (we have no printers at Jola as Elfreda was robbed of all her computers and equipment two weeks ago). And so I used lined paper and LARGE print to write their speeches and then they practiced – it was awesome!

At the end of Friday I was exhausted EXHAUSTED – and the guys brought me home, we did a little sightseeing on the way –

Getting home, I jumped in the pool and then learned from Vamsi that we had to go to dinner with his colleague and some expats. At dinner, I mentioned my day, and my expat friends affirmed me for my work but were all too nay say about the VP arriving at all. They were so condescending and so – that is so sweet of you to think your little event will get any attention! OMG – thanks for all your support!

Saturday arrived and the guys brought me out to Jola and the energy was electric (ironic eh?). The tent arrived, final details of the program were being ironed out, and we were reviewing the whole event once again with the VP’s protocol officer, Jack and media person, George. Everyone was excited and buzzing and sweeping, and cleaning and all was abuzz!

Liberian Secret Service.

The program was to include and opening prayer from Ma Francis, Elfreda’s 92 year old mother-in-law! 92 ! Never left the country! A true testament to living!

Then Lionetta was to welcome everyone, Elfreda was to speak, Violet was to give a testimony, the VP was to speak and Annie was to thank everyone. After the program there would be lunch, and then we would move to the front for a ribbin cutting ceremony, and we would shop!

We were ready…and the folks came! We had over 60 guests! Very exciting, and of course now we waited for the honorable VP, did I mention it was HOT!

UN Military

As we sat in the back of the compound on concrete in the sun (yea the tent was useless) we waited and then we heard the sirens, the Jola team went to the front of the building to greet the VP and escort him to the tent. I was not prepared for the UN armed (ARMED) military convoy and the entire security convoy-I don’t know why but there is something about giant UN military white trucks with flashing lights and GIANT UN military men in blue and white carrying GIANT machine guns and flak jackets and helmets that was a little overwhelming as they descending and surrounded the compounded. Once secured the VP was allowed to exit his SUV and greet the awaiting Jola team!

VP meeting the team

The program was a huge success! Everyone was on point, the media person was happy, media was happy, the VP was happy, his entourage was happy – Jola was happy! Then folks who lived outside the compound were standing on their walls and tables so they could peer in and see the excitement! Was so much fun.

Ma Francis greeting the VP

Phew! So good was the program the VP agreed to lunch and talk to the team and the crowd – I was even able to secure photos of Dillon and BK shaking hands with the VP (of course I later realized I did not get a photo of me! Ugh). Dillon and BK were blown away and could not stop thanking me – BK even told me yesterday I did not believe you – and today you helped me to meet my very own Vice President –you are really a friend. So this is what we do yes?! Win-win for everyone!

My security guard, Dillon meeting the VP.

The ribbon cutting and shopping extravaganza was exciting! Did I mention I was in a suit and tie – running around and it was H O T! During the program the heat of the day sent me iphone into meltdown and Mariah’s Obsessed started playing in my pocket – OY! And it would not turn off the iphone was on fire and would not respond so I ran to the back of the compound and tried muffling it in the shade until it stopped – UGH!

There is one male trainer named "D" here is a photo of him. I am going to write more about him in a post - because I think he deserves his own post - I don't know a lot about him but I do know that out of the whole team he can actually design and create: he even designed and made the jacket he wore - he wants to have his own Label called D wear.

Dillon in back presenting the VP with a portfolio. Sorry about the
pic, it was crowded and the media was to my left so they prevail, eh?

Post on D: Dwear

Finally FINALLY the VP left (I was about to kick him out) and even more folks arrived to shop!

It's Over!

Well now that the best was over – I changed into shorts and a tshirt and completely passed out in the work room! That’s when the Jola team started thanking me and hugging me and we were all having a good time! I gave the iphone to one of the women and she wouldn’t put it down she loved taking pictures with the iphone.

What a great day for Jola! And for Liberia! And for Me!

Youth Agricultural Center - Trying to make a difference

Youth Agricultural Center, Bensenville, Liberia

I have been very lucky to meet some amazing people, both local and expats during my first three weeks in Liberia. YES, it has been three weeks! Even more fortunate, that my new friends and acquaintances have now started to include me in their days, meetings, and yesterday my first journey outside Mamba Point, let alone Monrovia! I was invited by Gary Walker, Chief of Part of an NGO called ORT. The organization alone is worth conversation and a blog entry but I will let you kind reader do the research if you desire at these links:

World ORT

History of World ORT and its' Jewish roots

Gary and I have become quick friends, and certainly I appreciate his over 35 years in Africa experience. His stories are amazing, his spirit is lovely and cautious, and his commitment to his projects' mission is blatant. Gary, invited me on a morning meeting to the Youth Agricultural Center (YAC) but when he realized how excited I was he added several more stops and meetings to the day! Gary welcomed me to all meetings as a participant and subsequent entries will detail my trip through red light, the art we found in Paynesville, the discussions we had in the truck with his Liberian colleagues, and our meeting with the Danish NGO IBIS.

In this entry I would like to focus on YAC. Also along for the journey was one of Garys' drivers, Jerry, his senior program officer, Harry, and a security officer/handler who was seemingly assigned to me, Dillon. Jerry was absolutely a darling gentleman who had to maneuver through traffic, street markets, police blockades, war torn unpaved dirt roads, and tracks. Jerry was of good spirits and without worry stopped anywhere along our route to allow me to take photos, ask questions, ponder, or even just acknowledge a bombed out ruin, former homes. Here is my entry regarding Harry: Learning about Harry

But let me focus on YAC - this center is out in Bensenville the capital of Monterrasado County, where is lies Monrovia. I learned that over 20 years ago President Tolbert wanted to decentralize power n the county and move the capital from Monrovia out to Bensenville in order to share the wealth and power, noble and appreciated - it is far from a county center as we would know it in the States. the picture above shows the entry to the farm on a dirt road which we traveled for almost an hour once the pavement stopped at the Bensenville government center. I came to learn that YAC sits on the war torn, bombed out ruins of a successful prewar youth camp - that used to house several dormitories, field and and opportunities for urban youth to spend their weekends and summer just like we are used to in America.

We were warmly welcomed by Chris, the director of the YAC, and an employee of the UN Development Project, who acts as a "loaned employee to the Liberian government and is working to coach and mentor future leadership to sustainably run the YAC successfully. The purpose of the YAC is to teach youth (150 of which live on the farm in renovated dormitories) and even the local village young adults how to farm - a lost skill here in Liberia. Unfortunately, Friday is the day the youth are out on "real" farms learning from real life farmers. 

Dillon standing in front of the soon to be Bensenville
WORLD ORT training center.

First the current residents, a farm workers' pigs,
will need to be evicted.

We had our meeting with Chris and his team regarding the partnership Gary wanted to build - and it turned out there was even greater opportunity - and now WORLD ORT is not only going to commission the growing of jute for their weaving projects but is also going to renovate one of the buildings to create a training center out in Bensenville!

While surveying the structure, I did not mention the foul smell (for all I knew it was ME) but finally understood that there were residents!

Apparently one of the farm workers who live on YAC land was housing his pigs in the ruin - obviously a lot of work needs to be done before this structure is usable - the good news! The farm has usable wells! Of course the source of for energy out here is gas powered generators. 

So this was great news and all parties, including myself, was excited at this new found partnership. So as Gary and Chris returned to the office to hash out the details, Chris assigned Kwartee (sp?) a kind older fellow to give me a tour of the farm, Dillon followed and this is when I realized that he was surely "assigned" to handle me.

Chicken Coop

So our first stop was a rudimentary "hatchery" of sorts. This structure was built to explain to youth and local farmers that one does not have to build a large structure to house chickens but some sticks, and simple supplies could allow you to raise chickens, ducks, and even RABBITS! (if you know me you know Vamsi and I love rabbit stew!) It seems YAC was trying to teach the locals to raise rabbits as an alternative to bushmeat but instead the locals would rather have the rabbits as pets...LOL how American, eh?

Duck Eggs!

I was so excited to find duck eggs on the farm I went Crazy! How much and how many duck eggs could I purchase today! Well then the giggles started - apparently no one EATS duck eggs just the ducks - sigh - what do you mean? Well, Liberians just don't like duck eggs and unfortunately, these eggs had already been fertilized. Realizing that I would be back to YAC I encouraged them to raise some duck eggs that could be eaten and I would surely purchase and even teach the workers how to make them "tasty." they offered to sell me ducks - which would have been find (they have a "prep center" on the farm) but I was not prepared with proper transport to carry meat back to town -  I will be next time! I have no doubt I will be bringing a lot back to the city with me! Well next stop was the Piggery - yes here we say Piggery!

As close as I wanted to get to the Piggery.

Even though I did not want go into the Piggery, unfortunately, it seemed I had no choice. Unbeknownst to us the day before, President Sirleaf Johnson visited YAC and she apparently went all the way in the Piggery and toured the entire "facility." Kwartee and his crew believed that if she could do it, it was appropriate that I would be honored to walk in her foot steps - ah indeed honored - so I held my breath and entered the piggery - once inside the crew insisted I take photos before they let me out - yes Yes photos!

Piggery Piggies

I would come to learn that the Piggery was not the end of my animal experience - apparently the President also visited the more industrial chicken coop and Kwartee let Simoult lead us into the cement structure housing over a 1,000 chickens. I suppose today would have been a good day to wear my hazmat suit.

Yesterday, president Johnson Sirleaf bought over 300 hundred chickens,
Simoult was curious to know how many they needed to butcher for me.

Once I learned the pink solution was used meant to protect the chickens and NOT me - I decided to decline the invitation and not enter the chicken house - I thought maybe it was time to learn about produce!

I came to learn that on the farm they were currently growing papaya, eggplants, and lettuce! Unfortunately, there is currently no irrigation system from the neighboring low lying streams (the farm is high on the hill) and certainly using precious drinking well water would not be appropriate - and so these dried out plants are such, because currently the farm is hand watering each plant - since the youth are out en masse today - the plants go without water on Fridays - risking the very crop they have worked so hard to nurture - WOW.

Eggplant Crop

Lettuce Hutch

YAC also grows pineapples - which until yesterday I never knew that one pineapple plant produces ONE PINEAPPLE A YEAR! Which for me - made pineapples that much more precious. For now on pineapples are going to be treated royally in my household. I also learned that birds enjoy pineapples as much as we do - and so once pineapples start maturing they must be hidden from the birds underneath dried grass! 

Pineapple Orchard

We were taken to the library and classroom building on the other side of the farm: Library Blog Post

Afterwards we were brought to the Palm Nut/Palm Oil/Palm Soap production building: Palm Nut Oil Soap Production

Did I mention it was HOT. Unfortunately, our time ran out at YAC and we were unable to go to the other side of the farm which houses the fish hatchery and growth ponds. But Chris and bonded over conversation and he invited me out to stay in his home which he gave me a tour and while modest seemed appropriate for a night or two stay. The thought of having visitors lifted Chris' spirits immensely and I promised my return in the near future - as their was much more to learn and I certainly enjoyed the peace and tranquility of the bush farm life. I trust I will learn so much more - and hopefully be introduced to the local villages - where I might learn about the secret society of the white painted young women I saw on the street:

But for now we need to return  to our schedule and head to Paynesville. I purchased my two soap sticks and bag of fresh lettuce and we were bid an adieu much like Wizard leaving Emerald City - as by the end of our visit we had quite a coterie of followers shaking our hands and thanking us for our kind visit. They did not seem to understand that it was I who owed them the most thanks, for not only sharing their good work - but for doing the good work with little fanfare, affirmation or accolades. If was humbling and almost embarrassing to think that our visit and interest was an affirmation of their most important work.