Randell and I arrived at the school mid morning and unloaded the pickup with her driver and one of the security guards, Wilmot. It was a relief to finally be home with everything stacked in one bedroom. I walked her around the campus for the ” highlights tour”. It was too bad school wasn’t in… Continue reading Randell’s first day at school
Author: gbarngajon
S’mores Anyone?
I met John 2 at 7:00am yesterday morning for a trip to Monrovia, primarily to pick up our 16 boxes at Liberia Shipping Line. Of course, I had a list of other errands including some supplies at Eagle, Stop & Shop, a fee small truck parts, and a visit to LCL for some paperwork. I… Continue reading S’mores Anyone?
Liberia Reads!
I picked up Sumo in Gbarnga about 7:30 this morning so we could visit a new Liberia Reads school in session. This is a private secular school with limited facilities to say the least. It’s about a mile off Gbarnga Highway on a rough (Liberians would say “ugly”) road. The program works well and it… Continue reading Liberia Reads!
The power of the pen
As I mentioned, letters from child sponsors and the Sunday School at Mt. Calvary were distributed during the PTA meeting. The villagers were very impressed that they had one-on-one connection to Americans who were helping them. Word got out to those six families whose children did not re-enroll this semester. Three are now back in… Continue reading The power of the pen
Decentralization (sort of)
In an ongoing process of shepherding the school towards self-sufficiency and self-reliance, I discussed with Sumo about some plumbing issues in the school restrooms and navigated the topic to find what prevents them from repairing these problems in my absence. The end result was trying to get a portfolio of reliable tradespeople for various maintenance… Continue reading Decentralization (sort of)
A quince tree princess
I’m a bit unclear on the next steps for the blockmaking business. Sumo seems slightly stymied about who among the trained block makers that’s still in the community has sufficient leadership ability to be manager of this enterprise. Unfortunately, my main candidate has moved to Monrovia. Perhaps I need to stand in line at the… Continue reading A quince tree princess
Hard pressed
When do we have work. I don’t have no rice. My roof zinc collapsed, I need help. My child not in school, no money. I can’t read it. My mother just died. I was in a motorbike accident. My wife had a baby, we need food. My daughter is sick in Phebe…..These are some of… Continue reading Hard pressed
PTA meeting
Sunday as “day of rest” turned into Sunday “day of meetings”. For some reason an accumulation of singing, announcements, and a guest preacher combined to create a 2 1/2 hour church service this morning…and that’s after the 1 hour Bible study. When I exited church, I was greeted by the usual throng of children wanting… Continue reading PTA meeting
Over my head, facing north
A bit slower pace today as the higher heat and humidity took a toll on my motivation. I met with both Amelia and Mieta this morning and had a good conversation about care for Dusu and Kou. I kept it brief because I had to drop the truck off for brake repairs. One of the… Continue reading Over my head, facing north
A banner day
We set off for Gbarnga around 7:30 this morning with our first stop at Eagle Electric for a few supplies. Amin, the boss, says business has been slow leading up to the election. Next stop was Red Light to purchase rice. While waiting for Sumo’s son, Lee, to guide us into the chaos that is… Continue reading A banner day
Gbarnga Mission | Liberia - West Africa 