2.24.2010

Margibi Project with IDEFOCS (Initiative for the development of former child soldiers

Beautiful Mount Gibi

Last year we met a couple of guys from a group called IDEFOCS. They are former child soldiers working toward the rehabilitation and reintigration of former child soldiers. We have been priviledged to partner with them and sponsor an agricultural project in Margibi County, an area known as Peterstown. We will be doing many more projects with them including spiritual counseling with the former child soldiers that they are working with.

We had the pleasure of taking a trip last year to see their agricultural sites and put together a plan for a peanut project. The farm is underway and we will be taking a few more trips out to Peterstown soon and doing some additional work in the community there.

One of our staff members, Mark Koffa, is from Peterstown. This project has been close to his heart. He is so happy to see that he is able to be a part of helping the community he is from, and where much of his family including his mother and father are still living.

The area is beautiful! After leaving the main road you drive for about an hour (depending on the road conditions at the time) through a rubber plantation. The backdrop is a beautiful view of Mt. Gibi.

This area is a source of serious spiritual stronghold. There is a lot of spiritism practiced here in Africa, and this area of Margibi has a notorious reputation for this.


The road leading us through the rubber plantation. Beautiful.


A VERY rough spot in the road. We had to all get down from the car and walk to the bottom while Mark slid the car down this very muddy trench!


Group picture with some of the staff from IDEFOCS and a couple of local motorcyclists who were leading us to the right road.


Walking in the bush to see the farm site.


Mark and I with Mr. Printher, the agricultural specialist who is managing the farm and also teaching agriculture to the former child soldiers.


Gathering to discuss the farm project.


Some local cuties finishing our gatorade :-)

Walking our things into the village. Notice the pack-n-play the kid is carrying on his head! I am sure Matty is not the only baby who has had someone carry his bed into the bush on their head!

Mark graciously carried Matty all the way to the village for me.....about a 20 minute walk! This is too cute.

Greetings from some of the kids! I visited them here last year when I was pregnant with Matty and now they got to meet him!

A local woman with Matty. This little white baby is always a curiosity for people.
Some young girls in the village who are going through some initiation into the secret society. Very sad.....



Marks dad holding Matty. There is a myth here that white people can't/don't breastfeed their babies.....Matty and I have been able to help dispel that myth throughout Liberia!

The house where Matty and I help slept. My first time sleeping in a village, I have to say I LOVED it!

Artwork on the wall inside the room where I slept.



IDEFOCS has been accepted into a special program where they have the opportunity to travel to Colorado for some special training. They have to raise the funds for the trip within the next 27 days or so to qualify. Please check out their website and support them if you are led! Thank you!

IDEFOCS.org

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