They say good things come in small packages, and Liberia is no exception. This tiny coastal country is home to a resilient and welcoming population. Liberia is rich in arts and culture, especially masks, dance, and storytelling, and traditional culture is still very strong today. Most of Liberia is covered by lush rainforest, and on the beaches near Monrovia, rich red earth slopes down to meet the sea.
Programs available in Liberia
View Current volunteer and internship opportunities in Liberia... |
How You Can Help
In Liberia, you will be working in Monrovia, a city of one million people. Though scars of the past are still visible, considerable progress has been made in rebuilding since peace returned to Liberia in 2004. Monrovia is located on a penninsula between the West African coastline and the Mesurado River. Poverty persists, and efforts are being made to improve transportation, sanitation, and living standards in general. In Monrovia, you can complete a medical, human services & childcare, education, or community development placement.
The Need
While Liberia has successfully transitioned from civil war into a peaceful existence, it still bears many scars from its past. The United Nations Human Development Index, an indicator of wellbeing in countries around the world, ranked Liberia among one of the least developed countries in the world. This is an indication of widespread poverty. Over 45% of adults can not read, and nearly 30% of Liberians do not have access to clean water.
With The Humanity Exchange you can directly affect development in Liberia. As a result of the civil war, there exists a huge amount of people that did not have a chance to go to school. This is exemplified by the aforementioned literacy rate. Now more than ever, youth are packing into classrooms to soak up all of the knowledge they possibly can.
Furthermore, substantial efforts are underway to improve women's rights in Liberia. The lack of economic opportunities has disproportionately affected women. There is a tremendous need to enable women to provide for themselves.
In Liberia, our partners focus on providing an education for children, improving the quality of life for youth, and improving women's rights.
History
American abolitionists of the 1800's chose Liberia as an ideal place to repatriate feed slaves to Africa. Ex-slaves arrived on Providence Island, located in present day Monrovia, in 1822. They soon colonized the area. Monrovia became developed as the rest of the country was set up to serve its interests. During the presidency of William Tubman, life began to improve, and Liberia experienced Sub-saharan Africa's highest growth rate for decades. Unfortunately, significant disparity increased between descendants of ex-slaves and indigenous people. Despite attempts to improve the livelihoods of Liberians, Liberia fell into civil war. In 2004, Liberia regained peace. With a renewed sense of hope, it is easy to see how hard Liberians are working for the wellbeing of their country. They have made signifcant strides forward. Notably, by 2006, Liberians had elected the first female president in Africa.
Things to See & Do
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Waterside Market
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Silver Beach
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Sapo National Park
