Liberia: a place of secrets and beauty
Discover a dramatic history and a place full of hope
Liberia was founded in 1847 by freed slaves from the United States. There are 16 major ethnic groups; however, the official language is English.
Liberia is a third-world country whose conditions have been made worse by a fourteen-year civil war (1989-2003). During that time, more than 250’000 people were killed. Over 300’000 Liberians are refugees in other West African countries. Additional tens of thousands of are internally displaced. The war destroyed every sector of the country. Infrastructure, the economy and the education system lie in ruin. The Illiteracy rate is very high. During the war, most school buildings were destroyed.
The war has also made most parents destitute, making it impossible for them to educate their children. Three years after the end of the war, there is still no functioning education system in Liberia. The problem is compounded by the fact that most of the school-age children are not in school because they have to help their parents on the farm, and fetch food for the family. The cost of living in Liberia is very high, and most parents are unemployed.
A large number of the population live below the poverty line; consequently, the majority of children eat one meal a day. A large number of children were recruited as child soldiers during the war. An entire generation has never seen a class room, and has been socialized in the context of war and conflict, educated in the use of guns, drugs and killings.
At the moment, there is an increase in juvenile delinquency. The Liberian Government lacks the capacity to re-socialize, and re-educate their children. But if there is a better future for Liberia, it has to start with giving hope to, and building the lives of its children. It must start with an education.
