1. The Newsletter of UNV Volunteers working in support of Peace and Development in Liberia
Volunteering for Liberia-
A Rainbow of Diversity
One Vision
Lucky Girl receives books bought
with a grant from proceeds of the
Garden Project, Zwedru City,
Grand Gedeh County, Liberia
Volume 1, Issue 2
01 July 2010

2. OneVision
It is my pleasure to see this second edition of One Vision focusing on how Liberian volunteers are
contributing to peace and development in their own country.
The importance of Liberians working to entrench peace and accelerate development cannot be
overstated. By working to change and better their circumstances, I am confident that Liberia will
increasingly become dependent on its own people to maximize the dividends from the presence
of the United Nations and other development partners.
A number of young people volunteer for Liberia through the National Youth Volunteer Service,
sponsored and guided by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and supported by UNDP. The volunteers
have been making significant impact in several sectors, notably education and agriculture. For
instance, the success of the Garden Project, a livelihood project for people with disabilities in
Zwedru City, Grand Gedeh County that started in collaboration with the UNV Programme, has
depended on the technical input of the NYVS volunteers whose support was critical in providing
participants with technical agricultural skills.
The Volunteers for Peace Programme, also UNDP supported, has made significant inroads in
several communities across Liberia in the areas of peace and reconciliation. Their primary
objective has been to diffuse potential conflicts at community level through transferring skills for
conflict diffusion and non-violent resolution strategies to the youth. Non-governmental and
community based organizations like the United Youth Movement Against Violence are working
diligently at grassroots level in areas such as education and community mobilization. They are
proving to be strong agents of peace and development in Liberia.
Volunteer programmes, both non-government and community-based, are deepening the roots of
peace in Liberia. Their role in sustaining the peace for national development will grow in
importance as UNMIL and the Government of Liberia accelerate the transition planning for the
peacekeeping mission. The UN family will also undergo significant changes in the short to medium-
term, as “Delivering as One” in Liberia becomes a reality. In both cases, Liberians will assume
greater responsibility for shaping the future of their country.
That is why I am particularly pleased that young Liberians, through the NYVS, have already taken
the lead in shaping the future. Through transfer of knowledge, the UNV Volunteers and others are
helping to build capacity for the task ahead. I look forward to seeing the Liberian Diaspora also
volunteering their time, energy and resources toward the noble aims of the NYVS.
Liberians working towards the growth and development of their country, supported by
international partners, is what “Volunteering for Liberia” is all about.
Moustapha Soumaré
Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General
Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator
UNDP Resident Representative
Message from:
Mr. Moustapha Soumaré
DSRSG (R&G)/
Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator &
UNDP Resident Representative

3. OneVision
The spirit of volunteerism for peace and development is taking a firm root in Liberian
society as both Liberians and UNV Volunteers work together in an attempt to bring lasting
peace to Liberia. The National Youth Volunteer Service (NYVS) and the Volunteers for
Peace Program (VPP) have become part of the peace and development process as both
programs promote peace building initiatives, conflict diffusion and non-violent resolution
strategies. Volunteers have expressed immense satisfaction from the results for the services
that they have rendered and the impact that they have made in rural areas. While some
of them have brought about social cohesion through peace building campaigns, others
have increased child enrollment in rural elementary schools.
Volunteerism is a special and important aspect of human development. It is dedication to
duty without monetary compensation. Liberians are taking the initiative in working daily to
improve the lives of people in their communities. Some are actively participating in conflict
resolution, health care, education and agriculture. We wish to thank them for their
dedicated services to Liberia. We encourage them to continue their sacrificial services. We
also commend our UNV Volunteers for building the capacity of their Liberian counterparts.
The shaping of the Liberian society is the responsibility of all Liberians. We need more local
volunteers to support conflict diffusion initiatives, education initiatives, health care services
and agricultural development. In the long term, volunteerism will promote lasting peace
and development.
Regardless of age, sex and ethnicity, Liberians are encouraged to join the volunteer
movement and become agents of change in our society.
Volunteering for Liberia
Mr. Isaac Bropleh
Message from the Programme Manager
National Youth Volunteer Service (Liberia)
Isaac Bropleh
In this issue:
Message from DSRSG
Mustapha Soumaré
Volunteering for Liberia-
Isaac Bropleh, PM, NYVS
Triangular Solidarity in serving
Humanity
Volunteers for Peace (VPP)
I Volunteer for Liberia
Advocacy Update
Gratitude to the Land,
NUNV Korlu Johnson
Reflections
Parting words
Laud Tamakloe
Joanne Blake –Bissoon
Volunteer for Liberia

4. OneVision
The heart of volunteerism depicts service to humanity and solidarity in oneness to reach its
ultimate result. Three National UNV Volunteers within the agencies of United Nations
Development Program (UNDP), United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and World
Food Organization (WFP) assigned in Maryland County have harmonized functions to project
volunteerism through collaborative efforts in support of sustained national growth and
development.
Mr. Zay-Zay Miller who serves as Programme Officer for the National Youth Volunteer Service
(NYVS) Programme exclusively coordinates the activities of fourteen (14) National Volunteers
working in the areas of health, education, agriculture and gender in Harper, Maryland County.
Mr. Jacob Dorbor, NUNV volunteer with the UNHCR, is the Internal Data Processing Clerk and
deals with holistic numeric data collection analysis and information storage on the influx of the
refugee population into the south-east county of Maryland. Community Parent and Teacher
Association (PTA) Mobilizer, NUNV volunteer with the WFP, Mr. Robert Hiama conducts training
and has established a Food Management Committee to monitor and ensure that school feeding
is not entirely controlled by schools administrators within Maryland and Grand Kru Counties.
The three NUNV volunteers jointly collaborate and spend a lot of time and energy towards
planning and mobilizing volunteers in rural communities to inspire them to work with them for the
development of their communities through the work of their individual agencies and other
activities. Most important is the promotion of volunteerism as a tool for youth development.
Triangular solidarity in
Serving Humanity Zay-zay Miller
NYVS Programme Officer
Maryland County
L to R: William Wallace- President Maryland Youth Association, Zay-Zay Miller- NYVS Programme Officer and
Aaron Collins- President Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY)

5. OneVision
The National Youth Volunteer Service (NYVS) program is entirely youth oriented and has been
working with communities and institutions to secure food security through the facilitation of
community agriculture workshops to twenty eight (28) local farmers in Barraken community
engaged in vegetable farming. NYVS volunteers have provided critical technical support in
the area of field training and techniques to boost high yield of crops to the communities.
They have also worked digging channels, clearing/burning and de-stumping ten (10)
hectares of swamp land for the Philadelphia Expansion Project rice development. The
project is being implemented by the Danish Refugee Council with funding from the
European Commission Humanitarian Aid (ECHA) and involves over one hundred (100) plus
farmers.
The volunteers‟ push for community youth development has inspired fourteen (14)
communities and two (2) youth related groups in Harper City and the surrounding towns of
Rock Town, Cavalla, and Gbolobo Town to voluntarily conduct clean-up campaigns in all
locations with over five hundred (500) plus youth being mobilized.
This is a clear manifestation that the concept and vision of V4D- volunteerism for
development- is impacting the minds of the communities in which the NUNVs and NYVs
serve. Though challenges are great, they are confident of success. The primary objective is
the sustained development of the minds of youth which will in turn have a profound effect
on the growth and development in education, economic activities, culture and social
development.
The NUNVs serving in Maryland County are constantly aware that as the country progresses
from a state of „developmental obscurity‟, volunteerism will play a major role in the setting
the pace of development of Liberia.
NYVS volunteers at annual retreat in Rock Town in 2009
Triangular solidarity in Serving Humanity cont’d

6. OneVision
On October 5th, 2009, young Liberian volunteers were paired and deployed in the 15 counties
of Liberia, after completing a one-month induction training on peace building in Monrovia as
Peace Ambassadors for the Volunteers for Peace Programme (VPP). VPP aims primarily at
diffusing potential conflicts at community levels through skills transfer on conflict diffusion and
non-violent resolution strategies to youth. Thereby, improving mutual trust, social cohesion and
community relations among youth. Thirty-one (31) youth volunteers were recruited- out of more
than 800 applicants- to be answerable for identifying and diffusing potentially violent conflicts
in communities.
The Peace Ambassadors are expected to
motivate youth in communities to recognize
themselves as change agents and to take
active part in the initiative through various
activities such as peace talk, radio talk shows,
awareness campaigns promoting peace,
sports activities, and training of trainers. All
these activities are planned, coordinated,
organized and implemented by VPP volunteers
with the support of County Coordinators from
the Ministry of Youth and Sport, Civil Affair
Officers (UNMIL), and the Federation of Liberian
Youth (FLY). With the assistance of these
partner organizations, the Peace Ambassadors
mobilize the youth, access target communities,
and plan / implement activities.
Volunteers for Peace Programme (VPP)
The Peace Ambassadors have visited a number of communities within respective counties to
announce their presence and role as well as to explain the objectives of VPP. They visited
schools and youth groups to convey their peace messages and have done peace talks on
Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) that attracted more than 6000 youth participants
nationwide and raised awareness on SGBV.
In January 2010, they conducted Training of Trainers (ToT) in provincial capitals, targeting 700
potential youth leaders selected from the various communities visited. ToTs were held for two
days and gave sessions on mechanism of conflict, conflict management skills, gender- issues,
human rights and rule of law, facilitation and event management skills.
After the training, Youth Peace Committees
were formed by districts, each committee
consisting of six (6) youth leaders who
participated in the ToTs. The Ambassadors
and the Committee members conducted
conflict analysis of each community. The
analysis focused on conflicting parties, their
interests and needs, the cause of conflict,
and its effects. Based on the results, both the
Ambassadors and the Committee members
planned activities to make youth more
aware of the important role they can play in
resolving problems and building unity in their
communities.

7. OneVision
The first activity planned and implemented was the peace campaign. 60 campaigns were
implemented throughout the country with 3,700 people participating in total. Communications
tools chosen for the campaigns to raise people‟s awareness on identified topic areas were
selected based on what best matched problems in each community. These included
parade/march/walk, clean-up activities, talk-shops, drama, sporting activities, etc. Topics
focused on included youth unity, early marriage, drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, youth
involvement in decision-making, environment, education, volunteerism and girls education.
Three more ToTs were organized by the ambassadors‟ targeting the youth in communities
where the Youth Peace Committees were established. This time, the committee members
participated in the ToTs as facilitators. The ambassadors‟ knowledge on peace building was
transferred to youth in communities through the committee members trained in the first ToTs.
Implementing these activities strengthened the ambassadors‟ organization and facilitation
skills. “I feel happy and satisfied with what I am doing as a Peace Ambassador and I like
working for the young people,” said Sam Juwillie, Peace Ambassador in Nimba county, after
finishing a two-day ToT workshop in Tappita district.
The ToTs held in the districts also gives the
committee members an actual opportunity to
enhance their coordination and facilitation
skills through working with the ambassadors.
Joseph Beyan, one of the Youth Peace
Committee members said, “It is really
beneficial that the Peace Ambassadors did
the ToT in our community and I am happy that
I am contributing to it.” The peace
ambassadors will complete their assignment in
a few months, however, the skills and good
spirit that the youth are gaining from the
Peace Ambassadors will remain in
communities.
VPP cont’d

8. OneVision
To me volunteering is the simplest way of making changes in one‟s community. Impacting others
and at the same time one is given the chance to gain important professional experience.
Volunteering also provides the chance to do humanitarian work while optimizing work
opportunities. It exposes you to other cultures and traditions. It is a great combination.
My first concrete work experience was volunteering for the Liberian National Red Cross. I
volunteered as a Peer Educator, Child Protection Officer and a Nurse‟s Aid from 1997-2001.
During these years I was in high school and all of these activities were done in displacement
camps working with internally displaced people, returnees and refugees.
My second experience volunteering was after I finished my studies at AME University. I
volunteered as a Youth Volunteer for the Liberian National Youth Volunteer Service in Grand
Gedeh County outside of Monrovia. I was teaching at a Public School where I organized the
Girls Club, carried on GBV/SEA Training and built upon the student/teachers/community
relationships. I was also very motivated to let the local community, especially the women and
youths, know that they needed to be more proactive and engaged in the shaping of their own
lives by being more aware of their possibilities and the environment. Volunteering in this way
shed some more light and gave me more insight into the past, present and future. I feel very
proud and happy because this program was my country‟s own program and to be part of the
first group gave me the ability to volunteer in other organizations and other countries.
Today I still feel very strongly about volunteering and I believe I was given a great opportunity
when I became a National UNV Volunteer. Currently, I am working as a NUNV with the United
Nations World Food Program as a Community Mobilizer/Field Monitor Assistant in Nimba and
Bong Counties in Public Schools that are on the Schools Feeding Programme. I am a proud UNV
Volunteer and a member of a wonderful team working on improving the School Feeding
Program in these counties.
I Volunteer for Liberia
Rhoda
overseeing
the delivery of
rice in Nimba
County,
Liberia
Rhoda Addy Neufville
NUNV Community Mobilizer
Bong & Nimba Counties, Liberia

9. OneVision
I work under the direct supervision of the Head of the WFP Sub-Office and in close
collaboration with the School Feeding Unit of Ministry of Education and its partners. I am
directly responsible for building the capacity of Parent Teacher Associations and the
community to support the School Feeding Implementation Programme in all targeted
primary schools in Nimba and Bong counties. I coordinate and monitor the implementation
of the assistance programme at the local level, in close collaboration with the cooperating
partners as well as monitor and review commodity movements such as food deliveries,
storage, and transport.
Part of my job is to verify whether the amounts have been properly recorded or damaged. I
supervise the efficient distribution of food items at the site and ensure proper distribution of
entitlements, verify appropriate entitlements are distributed and provide feedback to
Programme Officers and others on the distribution. I assist in the conduct of regular meetings
of community leaders and cooperating partners on the commodity, distribution
arrangements, food entitlements and other relevant issues. WFP School feeding Programme
is in 226 Public Schools in Bong County and 391 Public Schools in Nimba County.
I am passionate about volunteering for Liberia. I feel that if Liberians volunteer ‘small small‟
for the development of their own communities then we will truly be on our way to making
this country a place to be proud. I believe that it must start with us, the citizens, showing a
willingness to sacrifice to make this country what it could be by volunteering for the
development of Liberia .
Rhoda with students in Bong County, Liberia
I Volunteer for Liberia cont’d

10. OneVision
Volunteering for the development of
Liberia’s children
The UNV Programme Liberia, in its quest to become more involved in V4D projects, has decided
to give support to a school building development project for the Kingsley Lington Elementary
School in collaboration with local community basted organization, the United Youth Movement
Against Violence (UYMAV). Situated in Louisiana Township, Paynesville, Liberia, the school
commenced operations in September 2009.
The school’s founder, Mr. Sabatoe Neufville, Chairman of UYMAV, had gone into the area to
purchase land for the construction of the headquarters of the UYMAV where he observed that
school aged children were not attending school. Upon further investigation it was revealed that
the distance to and from school made it dangerous for the little ones traveling from the Boley
Inter-Estate to either Fendell or Mount Barclay for school. The establishment of the Kingsley
Lington Elementary School was necessitated by the eager desire of the children Louisiana
Township and its surrounding towns/villages, to go to school within their immediate surroundings.
There are a number of challenges currently facing the Kingsley Lington Elementary School
such as:
•The lack of a properly appointed learning environment
•The lack of space for recreational activities as well as classroom congestion
•Lack of fully qualified teachers and teacher shortage
•Salary empowerment of teaching staff
•Learning aids, books etc...
•Upgrade of sanitary conditions needed, hand pump, toilet facilities etc…
Unless strategic mechanisms are put in place to remedy the situation the continued
existence of the school will be in question. It is against this background that UYMAV has
embarked on a fundraising initiative with the view that the board will expeditiously endorse
its implementation so as to secure a new campus for the school.
Children participate in a function to mark the end the first school year of the KL Elementary School
Advocacy Update

11. OneVision
Already, land for the construction of a new school building has been acquired within the
community by UYMAV. UNV Liberia approached American architect, Sergey Olhovsky, who has
been working on the new US Embassy building in Monrovia, to volunteer his services to do
concept drawings for the project and Sunil Jacob, Chief of Planning and Design, UNMIL
Engineering Section has agreed to volunteer time to assist with the project as well.
Architect Sergey Olhovsky visits
with children of the KL Elementary
School, Louisiana Township,
Paynesville, Liberia
The UNV Programme
Liberia, UYMAV and its
partners intend to work
closely to develop a
hollistic community
development project that
yields measurable results as
it relates to meeting the
education, peace building
and development needs of
the community. Donations
are welcome.
Children of the KL Elementary School with Sabatoe Neufville(far left), Kingsley Ighobor, Head UNMIL Community Outreach
Unit (Back Centre), American Architect Sergey Olhovsky and teachers ( right) on site visit to school in June 2010
Advocacy Update

12. OneVision
Disabled people typically share the profile of the general poor in Grand Gedeh County. However,
because of their disabilities they are more vulnerable to poverty, their experience of poverty is
more intense, and their opportunities to escape from poverty are more limited. In an effort to
promote the livelihood of people with disabilities, Chairman of the Grand Gedeh Disability
Association, Shard Anthony and UNV Human Rights Officer, Emmanuel Bryma MOMOH, the
dynamo behind The Garden Project, are now using the proceeds of the project in this regard.
The impact of the project has been substantial. Since the project was initiated a number of
gardens have sprung up around Zwedru City in Grand Gedeh County, with a number of the
communities recognizing the importance of growing their own food voluntarily starting vegetable
gardens. The project has expanded from the initial two small gardens to four. The largest being
three acre plot of land located in Zwedru Sea just outside Zwedru City. The standard of living of
the participants has improved in that they now have some income from the sale of the produce to
better the lives of their families and to reinvest in the project.
Most significantly is how the proceeds from the project have funded individual livelihoods projects
in micro-enterprise development and education of participating members of the disabled group.
The intended purpose is for all the disability persons to benefit from grants out of proceeds.
However, the executive members select four people at a time as beneficiaries.
Victor Cole Victor Cole is a polio victim and an active member of the Grand Gedeh Disability
Association. He returned from exile three years ago to his home in Grand Gedeh County. While in
exile Victor learned how to repair shoes but upon his return, he had difficulty accessing the rights
tools and materials to work with. Proceeds from the Garden Project have been used to empower
Victor with the purchase of new working tools and materials on his behalf in an effort to promote
his livelihood.
HoFO, Grand Gedeh
County, Thomas, Mtaisi,
and Emmanuel hand
over new shoe making
tools to Victor Cole at his
place of business in
Zwedru City
Impact of The Garden Project
Livelihood Promotion for People with Disabilities
Advocacy Update

13. OneVision
Tailey Zeyon
Tailey, an amputee is also an
active member of the disabled
group who already had a shoe
making shop. He wanted to
expand and was able to secure
a grant from the proceeds of
the Garden Project for the
purchase of additional tools and
working materials.
Lucky Girl
Lucky Girl (that is her name), a 9 year old girl is an
amputee with one hand cutoff. She is a student and
an active member of the Grand Gedeh Disability
Association. She received a grant for school books and
learning materials and toys from the Garden Project
proceeds as demonstrated support for the education
of girls.
Old Ma Esther Gbleh
Old ma Esther Gbleh is visually
impaired and committed to
the Garden Project’s success.
Funds from the project
supported her to start a small
business selling coal in
enhancing her livelihood. She
noted that the targeted
support has been a major
turning point in her life.
Impact of The Garden Project cont’d
Advocacy Update
Emmanuel hands over tools to Tailey
Lucky Girl
Ma Esther chats HoFO, Grand Gedeh County, Thomas, Mtaisi, and Emmanuel

14. OneVision
Mind: Lu wake up!
Lu: Who‟s there-who is calling me (she responded)
Mind: It‟s me, your best friend the mind. Lu, look I have this to say – there is
something you must do for your country to complete your task as a
professional child of this nation.
Lu: What could that be?
Mind: Volunteerism, volunteerism Lu. You must volunteer your service to this
nation Liberia –the land that is crying for the services of its citizens.
•Aland that is bleeding sick and needs medical attention.
•Aland that is hungry and needs agriculturalists
•A land that is illiterate and needs educators.
•A land that is broken down and needs masons and carpenters to rebuild it.
•A land that has been violated, its inhabitants left traumatized, needing social
workers to rehabilitate their minds.
•A land that has been exploited economically and needs economists to help
revitalize and rebuild its economy.
The land is crying
This is the very land that gave breath to your forefathers, grandparents,
parents and even YOOOU…
It has hosted you right from the moment you were born into this world.
It gave you the opportunity to crawl, walk and even go to school
Now that you are a professional do something- oh Lu do something ( crying
bitterly). Oh Lu please, please let the land feel your worth; love, care, concern
and professionalism.
Lu: I must be grateful to my country, “Sweet land of liberty.” This land that has
served and done so much for me. It needs more than what you‟ve just
visualized.
I must pay my courtesy to this land. I must serve. I must volunteer for Liberia
GRATITUDETO THE LAND
NUNV Korlu Johnson.
Korlu

15. OneVision
Volunteerism: Lost and Found
In the July 2010 edition of UNMIL Today is an inspiring story titled: Vegetables to help the
vulnerable. The story is about UN Volunteers who are assisting the physically challenged in
Grand Gedeh County.
Added to helping the vulnerable in Grand Gedeh who hitherto had no regular means of
income except to beg for alms for most of them, UNVs have been supporting activities of the
less privileged with assistance to School for the Blind as one of its main projects. And whenever
volunteers organize social gatherings, the core motivation is always constant: to use the
proceeds to assist Liberians.
Whether in the home, workplace or the like, to volunteer is to recognize a need, with an
attitude of social responsibility. This means a volunteer is someone who gives time, effort and
talent to a need or cause without profiting monetarily. This is precisely what the UNVs serving in
Grand Gedeh are doing: helping the needy.
Until recently, many Liberians say the culture of volunteerism has been fast becoming a thing
of the past with immediate financial gain as the primary reason why especially the youth,
labeled the future leaders, undertake anything. During a regional conference on volunteerism
held in Monrovia in May 2009, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf pointed out that volunteerism is
something which has been lost over the years. The Liberian leader urged the youth to engage
in activities not just for personal financial gains but also to render service to one’s country
which enhances the character of a person and gives satisfaction that money cannot buy.
On her first official visit to Liberia in July 2009, United Nations Development Programme
Administrator Helen Clark joined Liberian government ministers and community leaders to
launch a youth volunteer initiative, “Volunteers for Peace”. Clark described the programme
funded by the UN Peace building Fund as a mechanism for promoting peace and
reconciliation at the grassroots level.
The programme stems from the success of the National Youth Volunteer Service (NYVS) which
was launched more than two years ago. The NYVS is spearheaded by the Ministry of Youth
and Sports and funded by UNDP and the UNV - Bonn, as a pilot project of what is to become a
permanent structure.
Recently, the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) Youth Volunteer
programme was launched in Monrovia in which a group of women and men aged between
18 and 35 years from ECOWAS countries are expected to help to consolidate peace,
recovery, national reconciliation and rehabilitation in crisis-affected communities. The pilot
phase is supported by the African Development Bank, the UNV Programme, UNESCO and
UNHCR. As Liberians become masters of their own destiny, many locals, including beneficiaries
of the UNV-supported vegetable garden project in Grand Gedeh, remain grateful to the UN
not just for contributing to the restoration of peace and development activities but for assisting
in ensuring that volunteerism which was once lost has been found again on Liberian soil.
Reflections
Sulaiman
Sulaiman Momodu

16. OneVision
Laud TamakloeLaud’’s Swansong
Laud with the Transport Section Team
I have seen that everything [human] has its limits and end, no matter how extensive, noble,
and excellent. I have also realized that the end of a journey begins with the first step and so
with this feeling I say I have completed my tour of duty in Liberia.
I am indeed very grateful to God Almighty for his divine protection throughout my entire stay in
sweet Liberia and also to you all for making my stay in Liberia a memorable one. I wouldn't be
who I am if it hadn't been you by my side, allow me to know more about you from time to time
because I don't want to lose you.
Our lives are enriched by those we keep close to us, we learn things from friends that we could
not learn on our own. You have all enriched my life in different ways and for that I am grateful.
If for one reason or the other I have wronged anybody, I sincerely apologize, for human as I
am, I am not perfect but I strive to reach that state of perfection. I will miss you all.
To the rest of the crew I say carry on the good work to make this world a better place, for
yourself and for all. Remember to be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting
some battle, never get tired of doing that which is good, for we do it not unto man but unto
God.
According to Aristotle, a friend is "A single soul in two bodies". Henry Ford said that it is someone
who brings out the best in you. It's a gift you give yourself. A friend is ‘God's way of taking care
of us.’ A friend is ‘Someone who knows the song of your heart and can sing it back to you
when you have forgotten the words.’
"Friendship is always a responsibility, never an opportunity." - Kahil Gibran
"A friend is someone who knows everything about you and loves you anyway.“ Anonymous
"Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Walk beside
me and be my friend." Albert Camus.
And you are all that!
You are all welcome to GHANA my beloved country, the land of gold, freedom and justice- If
you come to Africa and you haven't been to GHANA, you haven't been anywhere, because
it's the gateway to Africa. The world is now a global village and for that I say take care and see
you soon. Thank you once again for your love, support, cooperation and assistance.
May God bless you all.
Laud

17. One day, I received a phone call from UNV Bonn, Germany asking if I would like to serve as a
UN Volunteer again this time in Congo, Africa and my response was, ‘Why not, sure’. Then the
communication ceased and I did not pay much attention to it because it happens that way
with recruitment sometimes. One day out of the blue another call came, asking me why I
have not been answering their correspondence. I was in shock, ‘What correspondences?
What are they talking about?’ Only to realize that the mail sent from Bonn had not been
reaching my private email in-box.
Right after sorting that problem, three days later my authorization came for Liberia, West
Africa. I said to myself, ‘Okay………., Liberia was not discussed.’ I believe that God Almighty had
another plan for me.Two nights before my departure from my home country, the Lord
ministered to my spirit, ‘I would reach on the other side’; just as in the scripture when Jesus told
His disciples to meet Him on the other side.
I was in a joyful mood when I was leaving Trinidad & Tobago to take up my second UNV
assignment on the 20 March 2006. There was a strange feeling at the airport, my eldest son
said to me, ‘Mummy do not go.’ My children and my husband kept hugging and kissing me
and this uneasy feeling began to develop in the pit of my stomach as if something bad was
going to happen. I concluded that it was because I was leaving them for a season. The
flight was smooth so far, nothing fantastic just sitting for hours on the various flights until I got to
the last leg of my journey from Nigeria to Liberia. That’s when unreasonable fright gripped my
heart for no apparent reason. Where is this feeling coming from?
The flight was delayed because of bad weather conditions. Hours passed and finally, we
were requested to board the aircraft. The doors closed, then came an announcement that
there was a further delay because a storm was passing. Thirty minutes on we are told to
buckle up and up we went into the sky. Fifteen minutes into the flight without warning, a
sudden jerk. Then another more violent jerk followed by a violent shifting from left to right to
left. Lightning flashed through the windows, I started to hear breaking sounds overhead as
things began breaking because of the violent shifting. Then the plane abruptly started
descending fast. ‘Oh my God!’ This is plane is about to crash!’
Passengers were crying, shouting out the names of their gods. I grabbed the person on my
right crying within myself, ‘This is how I am going to die? I just left my family.’ Then this gentle
voice in my spirit said, “Didn’t I say that you would reach on the other side?” Immediately an
inner peace descended upon me. Shortly thereafter the plane began ascending again.
From that moment on the journey went without any hiccups.
On my arrival in Liberia, excitement overwhelmed me. The plane landed, we disembarked
and Wham! The first thing that greeted me was the heat. Reaching the UNV Support Office
was great. It was like I was here all along and just went home for a vacation. I told them
about my experience on the way to Liberia and the sincere concern of their responses was
heartwarmingly genuine. It dawned on me, ‘This is my Family away from my Family.’
The same day I went to my section, Engineering, and I started working with my then unit chief
Mr. Bonney-Andrews who taught me the engineering jargon and explained the construction
issues. The staff in Construction Unit was great. I was treated with great respect, my in-puts
always appreciated.
To My UN/ Liberian Family
OneVision
Joanne Blake- Bissoon

18. OneVision
In the four years & three months serving as a UNV Volunteer in Liberia, I have worked assisting
various units, acting as officer in charge, supervising and the list goes on in both an administrative
and personnel capacity. Some of the challenges I faced initially include accommodation,
electricity, and water and Malaria problem.
For my life in Liberia outside the four corners of the UN, I had another aspect of my life which was
very spiritual. I served as an Encourager, Motivator, Teacher and a Minister of the Gospel here in
Liberia. I am a very balanced individual who would fit in with any person regardless of their status
or upbringing.
One highlight of my stay was when I ministered in a four day conference as a facilitator, Master of
Ceremony and as a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ at YMCA, Liberia, West Africa. It was
awesome to see lives changed and transformed. I believe in motivating people to live a healthy
and fulfilling lifestyle and embrace the things of God. That is where all my joy comes from.
I felt a great joy in serving the Liberian Community and I would truly miss them in spite of all the
challenges we faced.
For me JBB, I love life and to see and make people happy. I enjoyed travelling and touring the
beautiful country of Liberia. Mainly: Robertsport, Tubmanburg (Bomi Lake), Gbarnga, Buchannan
and a few others. Outside of Liberia, I occasionally took a break in Ghana for a different African
taste and flavor.
Goodbyes are heartrending especially for me leaving behind my UN Family and Liberian Family.
A proud volunteer, I share these words of wisdom,
‘Be the best that you can be in your field and personal life. Learn to appreciate who you are and
what you are. In other words, appreciate yourself first and remember that you are here to serve,
give of your time, expertise, and knowledge. Respect the host country. Be a friend to the Liberian
Community and your colleagues.
‘Represent your country, the UN and UNV Family well. Show respect to our Liberian counterparts.
Walk with pride and dignity and do not be intimidated by any negative comments about being a
volunteer.’
God bless UNMIL and especially the UNV Programme and staff members of the UNV Support
Office.
JBB
Joan with International
Contractors at a
farewell function they
held in her honour.

19. OneVision
ARRIVALS
DEPARTURES
Ross Allen Marcel Rugira
Kumar Vinod Tshering Samdrup
Goo Soon Kwon Dhruba Nath Yogi
Ebenezer Tabot Caleb Ongaya
Christine Ilama Lowel Ortizo
Dennis Espanol Anna Osborne
Obadiah Komen Irene Amongin
Roger Abstillas Kyin Thein
Eden Tefera
Demeke Solomon
Geoffrey Akure
Kayode Olajubutu
Josephine Kimalindo
Olga Cherevko-Barrett Abdourahmane Diallo
Charlotte Yu Yan Sung Thierry Sukadi Sukadi
Maria Rosa Del Valle Lopez Robert Sibson
Simeon Babonampoze Joseph Rwasa
Juanito Mendoza Laud Tamakloe
Jane Mwanja Oscar Kayembe
Dawit Mulaw Navin Devkota
Tracey Holloway Issan Aurore Jerome
Jorge De Almeida Joanne Blake-Bissoon
Gershon Yao-Dablu
Bon Chance!
Welcome
Aboard!

20. One Vision
One Vision
Published by:
UNV Programme Liberia
Design & Graphics
MHJ SarahEditorial Team
Abigail Willmer, Anna Osborne, Shadi Alkasim,
Julie B. Agum, Sulaiman Momodu,
Frederick Krah, S-J Mungo, K. L. Ighobor
Former UNV Programme Officer, Rukaya Mohammed, in the midst of women of
Tubmanville , Sinoe County. The occasion was an appreciation ceremony held by the
community for NYVS volunteers working in Tubmanville