2023 Trip to Liberia - Day 7
We had planned on a relaxed final day including a late start for a tour of the city, a late lunch, and leaving for the airport with plenty of time. However, the sendoff celebration for the nurses to the Starkey Hearing Institute (SHI) in Zambia led to a 9 am meeting this morning at the Ministry of Health. The purpose was to share more details about the program at SHI, the roles of parties involved, to promote hearing health in general and to enlist support from the subsection (NCDI) of the Ministry of Health. This group will implement any related national efforts related to hearing health. My part was to lend support and explain that the Starkey Institute in Zambia is supported by the Starkey Foundation in the U.S. and only loosely connected to the commercial organization Starkey Hearing Technologies, Inc. I also explained that Bill Austin, founder of Starkey is in his eighties and is retired from active participation in day-to-day operations of Starkey Hearing Technologies yet is still passionate about Hearing Health Care and is very active with the Starkey Hearing Foundation.
I was very impressed with the staff at the Ministry of Health. Dr. Tucker explained that certain criteria should be met to successfully introduce this new capability. He then asked each participant – What are your qualifications (all are RN’s, one with additional certifications). Are you now employed, and for how long? (Each has worked at a major hospital for at least 3 years). Will the participants have the tools to do the work when you return from the program? (Each participant receives a ‘kit’ for performing patient evaluations upon completion of the training program). Dr. Tucker seems to be in the process of starting a group to address hearing health care and is interested in connecting with the participants and Dr. Alfred at the Starkey Hearing Institute.
Next, we headed to the National Museum of Liberia, which is housed in the former Supreme Court Building. Liberia has a rich history closely tied to the U.S. The Republic of Liberia was formed by free African Americans who traveled from the US and landed at Providence Island in Liberia in 1822. Liberia was the first African republic to proclaim its independence in 1847 and is Africa's first and oldest modern republic. In addition to the new settlers, there were about 13 tribes that were already living within the borders of Liberia. The inequality between the Americo-Liberians and the indigenous tribes boiled over into 2 civil wars in the years between 1989 and 2003 during which 250,000 people were killed and much of the infrastructure destroyed. The Ebola outbreak wreaked havoc between 2014 and 2015 took 10,000 lives. It has been a tough stretch for a country that held so much promise.
After visiting the National Museum, we drove to Mamba Point and the Ducor Palace Hotel
Then on to Providence Island where the first settlers from the U.S. landed in 1822. We rode a “Ke-Ke” (tricycle-taxi), which was a blast!
Today, Liberians are a hopeful, hospitable and joyful people. They have pride in themselves and their country and are working hard to build a better Liberia for their children. The visible signs of war are a constant reminder of the horrors experienced as well as the human and economic costs. All are aware and seem to want to work together to build a better life.
Some of you have asked about supporting the work in Liberia.
In the last update, Jeff mentioned some of the immediate needs for Light of the World Academy, including:
Complete the High School and Church building.
Set up a radio studio at the school so they can broadcast programming over VOX Radio
Begin work to establish a medical clinic for the community.
Provide recreational facilities and equipment for the kids of the community
Provide additional scholarships so more students can attend this wonderful school.
Donations to Light of the World Academy can be made on the website: www.lotwaliberia.org
Donations toward the scholarship for the nurses enrolled in the 10-month program in Ear and Hearing Health at the Starkey Hearing institute can be made at this link:
The Liberia Hearing Health Scholarship Fund
Thanks for joining us on this adventure! If you were added mid-stream, the goal is to make the updates available from the website by the end of February. I will let you know when it happens. There will be one more email in this series, once we arrive home.
Don