Recent War

Liberians experienced tremendous hardship during the '90's.  When the N.P.F.L. warring faction entered Liberia on Christmas Eve 1989 a War began which would kill one in ten Liberians.  By the time stability improved with Charles Taylor's election to the presidency in 1997, the fruit of centuries' labor lay in the rubble.

Liberia's boys and girls did not deserve the War.  While factions repeatedly conquered and lost Liberia's thirteen counties, families were pulled into the swirling eddies of war.  Whether they were surprised at home by armed psychopaths, or abused at checkpoints, families encountered the unspeakable.

While visitors to Liberia always speak of the kindness of the Liberian people, some sadists exist here as everywhere.  These monsters flourished as the War's anarchy allowed them to terrorize the population. 

The killers employed every imaginable form of terror. They wore masks or fantastic costumes to distance themselves from their crimes. 

Almost every survivor of the War became an internal or expatriate refugee.  As they walked away from their homes, and after they arrived at refugee camps, families were terribly exposed to violation and separation.

During the periods of fighting in Monrovia, those who were not killed starved in their homes.

The War has left a terrible legacy.  According to a recent survey, one fourth of the population is disabled.  Another survey indicates that Liberia has the highest teenage pregnancy rate in the world, with some girls as young as nine pregnant.  There is also a high rate of child prostitution.

          Please help the Village as it reverses the legacy of the War.