A Letter from Miss Teen Liberia on behalf of the Youth of Liberia
Dear Patron,
I am writing to you as a representative of the youth of Liberia. My name is Hope White. I was elected Miss Teen Liberia in August of 2008. I want to do something to change the reality in Liberia. I want to make a difference for the children and youth who are currently suffering in my country. I need your help.
Liberia is a small country in West Africa. It is located on the the west coast of Africa just above the Ivory Coast.
Liberia is rich in diamonds and gold, but the people of Liberia are it’s greatest resource. These are people who love family and community. They value and respect their elders. The churches are the center of communities. It is in the churches that the people find strength and courage to face the challenges of everyday life.
The communities have become isolated by a civil war which lasted 13 years. The war dislocated members of families. Many family members remain lost to each other as the children were separated at very young ages and are unable to idenify their relatives.
Poverty currently separates communities. Those few members of the country who are fortunate enough to work for the government, may have enough money to send their children to school. Average cost $17,000 per year. The rest of the children remain uneducated.
Hunger is an everyday reality for the majority of Liberia. A typical family may be able to scrape up enough food to cook and sell at the market so that their family can eat. If they are unable to do this, they must go hungry.
Houses are very humble, without furnishings. There is typically no elctricity or plumbing. Sanitation is a real challenge. People must walk to community wells for water. Typcially families sleep on the floors.
Poor roads and transportation systems limit visitation among family members. It also makes it very difficult for the people to find and sustain work.
Diseases are very common among the general population. HIV is rising at a very rapid rate. Those diagnosed with HIV are typically taken to “the black gate.” This is a community fof HIV victims in exile. Therefore, people do not readily volunteer for testing as they fear that this may become their fate.
Voo Doo and Witchcraft are still common practices among the general population.
The markets are not regulated and therfore sanitation is questionable. There is no one to oversee the quality of the goods exchanged. Many tricks are used to get money for nothing out of the consumer.
Safety in the communities is rare. Armed robberies are common. Young boys with gund often break into homes and take what they want, often raping the young women. If the victim recognizes these boys and calls them by name, the victim is often shot and killed.
Alchohol, drug addiction and drug realted violence is very common.
The judicial system is overrun by these cases and unable to keep neighborhoods secure.
For 6 years now the fighting has stopped. Our country is left with so many challenges that could easily draw us back in to violence.
In 2006, Liberia elected the first woman president, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. Our hope, is that with a new government dedicated to non-violence, and rebuilding our infrastructure, we can create susatainable communities and sustainable peace.
Please help us change the reality of Liberia. Help us create a sustainable community of our children and youth. Please support our efforts so that we can continue to live in peace.
Sincerely,
Hope White
Miss Teen Liberia