The Twin Cities Embraced FELMAUSA “Tour for Education” – Two Liberians Commit $4,000 USD

The Executive leadership of FELMAUSA, along with its Education and Ways and Means committees, and the Minnesota Mandingo Association (MMA), graced the BBQ cook out in honor of its Ways and Means chairman Mr. Ishmael Komara. Mr. Komara graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Metropolitan State University school of Nursing and Health Science in St. Paul, Minnesota.

The FELMAUSA’s Minnesota chapter, MMA, used the occasion to promote the FELMAUSA Education Assistance Program (FEAP), and raise funding to sustain scholarship, payment of WAEC fees and provision of school supplies for Liberians in need. In attendance were FELMAUSA President Mohammed Dukuly, Mamadee B. Sesay, Musa Kamara (former MMA President), Hon. Bangally Trawally (OLM Board Member), Imam Mohammed Dukuly, Ahmed Sirleaf (former MMA President) and other prominent members of the Twin Cities. The leadership of MMA was headed by Vice President Mamasu Komara Dudu and other MMA officials and members.

Hon. Ishmael Komara, the graduate, opened the ceremony with gratitude to the community for their support throughout his quest for higher education. Mr. Komara asked the audience to utilize the occasion to reflect on the plight of brothers and sisters back home with aspirations to attain higher education but are limited by resources and financial support. The graduate used the occasion to remind the crowd that while many Liberians in the United States are getting ahead educationally, Liberia continues to experience an unacceptably high level of illiteracy.

With illiteracy rate estimated at 43%, the graduate admonished everyone that the number is not tolerable and we must therefore employ strategies to ensure that this number is brought to an acceptable level. As citizens of Liberia, we are under obligation to contribute our quota to the post war reconstruction efforts.” Hon. Komara reminded the crowd that that one key factor of the Liberian civil war was ignorance fuel by illiteracy and.” The young graduate challenged the crowd to help FEMAUSA help Liberia by donating $1 U.S. He started by contributing the first $100 USD and challenges the crowd to match his $100 USD.

Meanwhile, on Friday May 7, 2010, President Mohammed Dukuly delivered a powerful sermon at Masjid An-Nur in north Minneapolis. The President’s remarks encouragingly challenged Liberians and humanity at large to be active – and not passive – stakeholders in the campaign to educate our brothers and sisters for the betterment of the community.

Absolutely impressed by President Dukuly’s message, two of the prominent Liberian (Non-Mandingo) women of Minnesota – who preferred to remain anonymous – have committed $2,000.00 each to the FEAP on an annual basis. In addition, these two women promised to encourage many other Liberians to help FELMAUSA help Liberians.

On the other hand, Hon. Mamadee Sesay, Education Committee chair, brilliantly informed the audience of the history of FELMAUSA and Liberia, and the vision behind the “Tour for Education”. During his presentation, he made a sincere appeal to the Mandingo community to get involved at all levels and help FELMAUSA educate tomorrow’s leaders by decreasing the high illiteracy rate affecting Liberia.

Another Liberian Shares Academic Lineage with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the Reconstruction of Liberia

On May 16, 2010, Mr. Sedeke Dukuly received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from one of America’s most historically black and prestigious colleges. The young but farsighted graduate, a junior brother of FELMAUSA President – Hon. Mohammed Dukuly – has once more added to the unique history of Liberians who have immensely benefited from the transformational education and leadership professional development opportunities at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. Today, Sedeke proudly shares academic lineage and alma mater with Dr. Marin Luther King, Jr. It was this very Morehouse College that bed rocked and imparted onto Dr. King those outstanding qualities that helped him ink a very rich and unfading history of civil rights movement across the globe.

Proudly representing Liberia among several young black men who received degrees in various disciplines, Sedeke Dukuly graduated with distinction. According to one of his professors, “Sedeke remains one of the hopefuls and substantial investments of Liberia in the rebuilding of a decade plus war-ravished nation.”

As the young graduate remarks, “I am truly grateful to God for my brother – Hon. Mohammed Dukuly – who selflessly provided me this golden opportunity to not only educate and empower myself, but also serve as an enormous asset and source of motivation for Liberians and humanity at large.” In his humble but highly elated tone, “I extend my utmost appreciation to my family, friends and love ones who stood firmly with me during these very difficult but assured moments”, Sedeke continued.

Meanwhile, Sedeke Dukuly plans to further pursue a master degree in Broadcast Journalism. Afterwards, he will return to Liberia and join other well-meaning Liberians in concert to help reshape the Liberian Media. Prior to his matriculation at Morehouse College, Sedeke worked with radio Veritas, Truth FM and Real TV channel 3 in various capacities.

CONGRATULATIONS! CONGRATULATIONS! CONGRATULATIONS!

WOMEN OF MILWAUKEE STAND FIRMLY WITH THE MEN IN SUPPORT OF FELMAUSA EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (FEAP)

The leadership of FELMAUSA, in collaboration with its Wisconsin chapter (WIMAM), celebrated a very colorful “Mother’s day” event on May 9, 2010. The event, which was organized as kick off to the FELMAUSA “Tour for Education” in Milwaukee, greatly emphasized the need for us to appreciate and empower our reliable and hardworking women at all times. The event was well attended by Hon. Ishmael Komara (Ways & Mean Chair), Hon. Mamadee Sesay (Education Chair), officials and members of WIMAM, and the larger African community of Milwaukee.

In his opening statements, Hon. Morris Manjue Kromah remarked that “there is no conceivable way for us to succeed at any endeavor without the fullest support of our generous and energetic women. Hon. Alpha Yatoh Kromah also emphasized that “it is only right that we duly appreciate our women for sacrificing their time and talents for us and the wellbeing of our kids”.

Midway through the celebration, Hon. Mohammed Dukuly – FELMAUSA president – took the stage to delicately certificate those outstanding women of Milwaukee. Prior to certificating, he remarked that “women appreciation has never been a strange concept in our community, as it is widely and clearly mentioned in both the Quran and Bible.” Hon. Dukuly further underscored the importance of educating our youth, especially our women who represent a greater portion of our uneducated Liberian population. Hence, the young but farsighted FELMAUSA leader massively called upon the people of Milwaukee, the greater Liberian populace, as well humanity across the globe, to commit their time and money to the FELMAUSA Educational Assistance Program (FEAP), and ensure its utmost success. According to Hon. Dukuly, “every time one Liberian is educated, the occasion allows Liberia to decrease its illiteracy, poverty, and infrastructural destruction by a marginal percentage, and offers Liberians the opportunity to successfully compete with others around the world.” “Such a trend”, Hon. Dukuly accentuated, “will only help make all Liberians successful.”

Following the certification, the women of Milwaukee thanked the leadership of WIMAM and FELMAUSA for honoring them in such a unique way, promised to stand firmly with the men in full support of the FEAP, and pledged their stanch commitment to ensuring that FELMAUSA succeeds at all of its projects.

On behalf of FELMAUSA, Hon. Ishmael Komara thanked the officials and members of the Wisconsin chapter, as well as the general audience, for their overwhelming turnout and positive response to the call of FELMAUSA and Liberia at large.

FELMAUSA "TOUR FOR EDUCATION" MAKES A BREAKTROUGH IN NORTH DAKOTA

On May 7, 2010, the leadership of FELMAUSA, along with the support of its Minnesota chapter, made a breakthrough on its “Tour for Education” in North Dakota. Well attended by not only members of the Liberian Mandingo community, but also the larger Liberian and international student communities of North Dakota, the event gave room for very fruitful discussions as to the need for us all to give back to our communities and help make this world a better place.

Hon. Mamadee Sesay, Education Committee chair, brilliantly informed the audience of the history of FELMAUSA and Liberia, and the vision behind its “Tour for Education”. In his deliberation, he made an earnest appeal to the people of North Dakota to get involved at all levels and help FELMAUSA educate the future leaders of Liberian, and decrease the high illiteracy rate affecting Liberians.

On his part, FELMAUSA president – Hon. Mohammed Dukuly – emphasized that the world is only a better place if everyone everywhere around the globe is doing great. Hence, the need for Liberians to be educated is a priority that must not be ignored. The ability of Liberians to successfully compete with others around the world is only a function of their adequate preparation – in terms of educational and professional leadership development, Hon. Dukuly accentuated. He then challenged the body to lend FELMAUSA their fullest support whether in kind or cash to actualize its goal for each one to teach one, and lead one.

As for the audience, they greatly hailed the tremendous sacrifices of FELMAUSA to help educate its citizenry. Hon. Reginald Tarr, chairman of the Liberian Community in North Dakota, remarked that it was the very first time of his life in America to see a group of Liberian men and women striving at all cost to enhance the living conditions of Liberians through strategic educational and leadership development initiatives. Highly impressed by the outcome of the event, Hon. Tarr promised to help share FELMAUSA’s vision and educational endeavors with the members of the North Dakota Liberian Association – while at the same time challenging them to contribute immensely towards this endeavor.

In additional to its warmest reception and hard work to make the event a success, the North Dakota chapter of FELMAUSA, through its president – Hon. Mohammed Kamara – pledged its unwavering commitment to ensuring that FELMAUSA succeeds at all of its projects. On behalf of his chapter, he promised to work with the larger Liberian community to plan and successfully implement series of fund-raising events for FELMAUSA – come this summer.

On behalf of FELMAUSA and Minnesota Mandingo Association, Hon. Sesay thanked the officials and members of the North Dakota chapter, as well the general audience for their ever memorable call to humanity.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY 2010

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

Mama! All that you have always been to me, all that you are to me, and all that you will continuously be to me remain such a profound and special blessing for me; the reward of which only the Lord can afford.

No amount of “thank you” and “love you” will ever be sufficient to express my true appreciation for the unmatched support, unconditional love, and undivided attention you have continuously offered me.

All through my life-long journey, you have always been by my side as my best friend, counselor, and confidant – showering me with any and every outstanding quality that anyone could possibly dream of and long for in a Mama. During the darkest days of my life, you have always been my sunshine – blessing me with your warm touch, enlightening me with your unfading wisdom against all odds, safe-guiding me through the highs and lows of life, preparing me adequately to overcome and succeed at any of life’s challenging endeavors, and painlessly transforming my darkness into very productive and lasting moments.

Yes! I remember those long, heart-breaking, lonely, and miserable nights of my life – when everything seemed absolutely meaningless, you were a true meaning to my life; when the whole world seemed to neglect and forsake me, you surrounded me with total comfort and consolation; when my purpose in life became very illusive, you showed me the way forward through your short pointed stories that made my life so simple, objective, and purposeful; and when everyone else gave me a vote of “no confidence” and declared me “good-for-nothing”, you relentlessly believed in me with deep passion, soured your knees in prayers for me, and constantly reminded me that the sky is the limit, and am the best the world has ever seen.

Mama! I write you with a very remorseful and pardon-seeking heart for every painful memory I have caused you from the very first day of our encounter to present. I deeply apologize for the times when I spoke back and did not listen when I should have remained quiet and attentive, for the times when I refused to speak when you demanded an answer, for the times when I disobeyed when I should have followed your instructions, for the moments when I brought you humiliation instead of pride and dignity, and for those embarrassing moments that only a Mama like you could bear.

Mama! If you were to give me an entire world of ink and paper, it still would not sufficiently contain the historical memories of the many blessings you are to me, and the outstanding attributes that give me maximum honor to proudly call you Mama.

As they say, great and powerful are those who patiently and sincerely lead others to the great attainments of life; hopeful are those who give others hope and tell them “YES” – even when the entire world is saying “NO”; loving are those who pass on the best of their love to others – even when it means losing their lives; and honorable are those who see and cultivate honor in others – even when the whole world does not. And you “Mama”! You are an embodiment of everything – leadership, greatness, hope, love, mercy, power, honor, pride, dignity, and the list goes on.

I am REALLY PROUD OF YOU MAMA. You are indeed the best thing that has ever happened to me. As the legendary Prince Nico puts it: “Sweet Mother! I nah go forget you, for all the suffer you dey suffer for me”! Yes indeed, Mama! I will never forget you. Mama! I am humbled by your presence in my life. I am extremely grateful for the times and efforts you have pricelessly invested in my upbringing and ultimate wellbeing. As a child, I totally agree that I must obey you so that my “days may be long and productive”; and I strongly believe that my “paradise lies beneath your feet”. Mama! You surely hold the keys to my happiness and eternal bliss.

I consider every second, every minute, every hour, and every day of my life a special moment just because of you, Mama. I would do anything for you, Mama. I would go any length to ease your pain and put a smile across your face, Mama. I would jump through any hurdles to make you stand tall and speak proudly amongst your peers, Mama. If the whole world came any closer to my depth of gratitude for you, I would give you the world Mama.

For risking your life and forsaking your lifetime career and passion only to help me become the man/woman I am today, I could not be more grateful Mama. For all the times you denied yourself food and water only for me to have something to eat and drink, I could not be more appreciative Mama. For the numerous times you neglected yourself only to provide for me and ensure my wellbeing, I say “Thank you” Mama.

Time and again, I proudly add my voice to those of generations before me, those of current generations all across the globe, and those of generations yet to come, in solemn appreciation for you, Mama. And so, on this special day, I pray to the Lord to grant you health, long life and prosperity so that you will enjoy the fruit of your hand work. And on this special day, Mama, I just want to say “Happy Mother’s Day” to you.