Our Youth, Their Future, The F.A.C.T.S., Inc. Focusing And Challenging Teenagers for Success
Around the World in Twelve Days:
2008 Ricks Institute Summer Literacy Camp
By: Derrick and Amber Watkins
Organization Directors
• Derrick Watkins – Richmond Senior High School 9th Grade Academy Technology Facilitator
• Amber Watkins – Scotland Early College High School Social Studies Teacher and Lead Teacher
2008 Ricks Institute Volunteers
Main School Building
Ricks’ Campus
“As Rev. Menjay also said, it is better to hope than to help. You have given us hope at Ricks Institute.� -Alfreda Brewer
A picture is worth a thousand words‌
Each Morning‌
The 25 Camp Participants
“I am very much glad and happy to have you here as my teacher at Ricks.” -Reginald Seh
“I learned a lot from you and thanks for being our friends!” -Jeanice Askie
“I enjoyed learning and working with others and working in groups, and learning about countries I never knew about.” -Princess Cooper
“What I enjoyed about the camp is you taught us how to be creative, how to make our own research, and also how to love each other.” -Bobby Howard
“Thank You for coming here at Ricks and transforming the lives of young people like us!” -Watchen Snyder
“Things I really enjoyed about the camp are: learning about other countries, reading comprehension, verbs, and other activities.” -Shadrick Teeba
“I enjoy…working and learning in groups together learning about countries that are around the world, learning about the facts, and speaking in front of the whole school.” -Ludmilla Dwana
Projects on Display
“Mr. and Mrs. Watkins, I am so happy to have you here at Ricks. You people have done a lot for us. You people have also transformed our lives.� -Elaine Nyanko
“What I enjoyed about camp is how you teach us, playing, and also eating. What I dislike about the camp is how it ended.” -Bendu Adams
“I will continue to write you on more instructions on becoming a good [basketball] player like I have always wanted.” -Bobby Howard
“I love the way you people play with us on the field, on the basketball court and the volleyball court, as well.” -Patricia Tamba
“I enjoy how you laugh with us, smiled at us, and treated us like your children.” -Bobby Howard
“I suggest that this trip will not be the last. I think you all should come back and ‘HOPE’ us so that we can do more than what we have done.” -Gbolu Mulbah “The thing I dislike [about camp] is that you all are leaving. -Mohammed M.
Ricks makes efforts to make sure that students are aware of the native Liberian cultures. There were two culture shows!
Look at Rev. Menjay!
Becoming Self-Sufficient
Becoming Self-Sufficient
The Democratic Republic of Liberia Brief History and The effects of the Civil War
Relative Locations
Geographical Location
The National Coat of Arms The ship is a 19th century ship that symbolizes the ship that brought freed slaves from the United States to Liberia. National motto on the top scroll: “The Love of LIBERTY Brought Us Here” The wheel barrow and shovel represent the dignity of labor and hard work through which the country will prosper. The rising sun represents the birth of the nation. The palm tree represents prosperity. The white dove with a scroll represents the breath of peace.
Brief History of the Republic of Liberia • Africa’s first republic, modeled after the United States Government • Founded in 1822, by freed American slaves • April 12, 1980– President William Tolbert was assassinated in a military coup led by Samuel Doe • Samuel Doe Led Liberia as a military dictator and was assassinated- December, 1989 by a rebellion led by Charles Taylor • Civil War lasted from 1990-2004 with a formal peace agreement in 2005 • Liberia went from being one of the most prosperous nations in Africa, to one of the poorest. • Democratic elections in late 2005-- President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
The Beaches of Monrovia Monrovia is surrounded by beautiful beaches.
Monrovia Before the Civil War “The City on the Hill” Was one of the wealthiest cities in Africa in the 1980’s.
Post War: The Market Life
A large majority of people in Monrovia and surrounding cities make a living through selling products at these markets.
Post War: The Market Life It is tradition to not sell anything on Sundays. Throughout the week, however, these streets are lined with people.
Post War: Homes of the Interior Pictures of homes that lined the streets as we traveled to Monrovia from Virginia, Liberia.
Many of these homes, were constructed out of materials taken from destroyed buildings.
Post War: Buildings in the City
Large Sticks are in many destroyed buildings, supporting the foundation.
Post War: Monrovia This is a picture from the St. Paul bridge over the St. Paul River. Many of the buildings in Monrovia are abandoned.
Post War: Monrovia Another picture of Monrovia from the St. Paul Bridge.
Post War: Minor Progress
Ricks’ Refugees “During the civil war as many as 30,000 refugees lived in this area” -Marcus Perkins
Ricks’ Refugees Some of the adults and children of the refugee camp, either attend Ricks Institute as service scholars, or they work around the campus.
Ricks Village Located on Ricks’ campus is a village of indigenous peoples who lived on the land before Missionaries founded Ricks in 1887.
Ricks’ Future Leaders of Liberia “Mr. Watkins I have nothing to give you people but a thanks” -Rufus Massaquoi
“I will attend college if the opportunity is there!” -Massa
2008-2009 Service of The F.A.C.T.S., Inc.
2008-2009 Organization Goals •
Prepare 8-10 High School Juniors for service in Liberia. –
Students will conduct 2 rewarding and fun projects: 1.
Begin and Complete an on-site service project at Ricks Institute 2. Research Government in Liberia, and interview and meet with Liberian Government officials in Monrovia
•
Students will join directors and the Literacy camp participants for food, fun and games!
2009 Cohort Responsibilities • Two training sessions/ Group fundraising activities a month beginning in November
– History of Liberia – Cultural Awareness Activities – Preparing and Sending documents– Passport, Visa, etc. – Prep for Summer Course – Planning and Executing Individual and Group fundraisers
• Training sessions will be located in Cumberland County and Scotland County
Selection Process • Selection Will be Based on the Following: – Application – Essay – Three Recommendations
• Two Teacher Recommendations • One Recommendation from a Community Leader, Pastor or Employer
– Permission Slip and Other Paperwork – Applicant Interview
Selection Process • Important Dates: – Application Process • Available: August 23rd • Application Due: September 27th
– Interviews: October 3rd-5th – Notification of Acceptance: October 10th – Orientation Retreat: October 25th
• Apply for this life-changing experience!
Sponsors Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church Bright Hopewell Baptist Church Jones Chapel Missionary Baptist Church Philadelphia United Methodist Church Lee Doris Christian Dr. Jean Honeycutt Reverend Dora Dorsey Representative Garland Pierce Mr. and Mrs. William Watkins Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lowery Angela McNeil David Knauss Darrell Wright
Thank You! Pastor Jesse L. Timmons Rockingham Junior High School Mr. and Mrs. John Alford, Jr. Young Adult Missionaries John Alford, III and TaChaka Pate Tyler and Allen Michael Minnick Adrian Flowers and Family Phillip Waddell
Bibliography • http://www.thetalkingdrum.com/cities.html • http://bp0.blogger.com/_JF8UtJK3aog/RiznZUhxDcI/AAAAA AAAB-U/Z7MtuVckGAA/s1600-h/Liberia-Monrovia-4.jpg • https://www.paecivpol.com/UserContent/images/photo_album/ Monrovia,_Liberia.jpg • http://www.infoplease.com/atlas/ • https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-worldfactbook/geos/li.html • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coat_of_arms_of_Liberia • Clipart from Microsoft 2003