Liberia: Profile - Patrick Duwha, a Bricklayer
allAfrica.com
INTERVIEW
18 October 2007
Posted to the web 18 October 2007
The war years sent hundreds of thousands of Liberians fleeing back and forth across the country and in an out across several national borders. Sometimes refugees found work and learned skills, either through working for food with one of the militias or with government agencies, when they functioned. The most fortunate learned trades in neighboring countries. A number are now employed in an ambitious campaign by the United States-based Liberian Education Trust, founded by Dr. Deborah Harding. Its goal is to build 50 schools, train 500 teachers and provide scholarships to 5000 mostly-girl students within three years. The project also funds literacy classes for market women.
Eighteen schools have already been built, through a partnership with Lace, the Liberian Agency for Community Empowerment, headed by Ramses , who says that as long as funds are available, Lace will keep up the pace and meet the objectives. A side-benefit of the program is creating a demand for goods and providing jobs. At a school in Monrovia, opened in October 2007, a brick mason putting finishing touches on a staircase said that working on a school made him hopeful about the future of Liberia – and for himself. He missed out on going to school due to the wars, but he expects to attend as an older student – among many – once he earns enough money to survive.
My name is Patrick Duwha. I am very happy to be working on this school, and I appreciate the people's effort. But now we pray more for what they are doing, as it will be a continued process in the country to bring more development and other things. We are wishing that all will be happy.
I became a mason in 1995. There was nothing to do in those years. We kept bouncing around to this company and that company, anyone we find working. We appreciate the opportunity for a good job.
I want to sponsor myself through school. I understand where I want to be, so that is what I am doing. I am proud to be working on a school. Oh, so proud. I appreciate them so much, and I am proud to be employed here so that the country can go further.
