CAREYSBURG, Montserrado County – Eight years after founding Change for Liberian Children and Youth (CLCY), Liberian philanthropist and retired U.S. Navy veteran Daniel Henderson is celebrating not only the nonprofit’s growing impact across Liberia but also the launch of his memoir, Daniel: The Boy Who Wanted School, a book he says is both a personal testimony and a fundraising tool to help educate the next generation of Liberians.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh
The book launch formed the centerpiece of CLCY’s eighth anniversary celebration, held in Careysburg and attended by community leaders, beneficiaries, local residents and development partners who gathered to reflect on the organization’s achievements in education, health and community development.
Founded by Henderson, who grew up in poverty in Careysburg before becoming a refugee and later emigrating to the United States, CLCY has become a lifeline for hundreds of underprivileged children through scholarships, school supplies, mentorship and humanitarian assistance.
Speaking during the anniversary program on Saturday, Henderson said the organization remains committed to giving hope to children whose struggles mirror his own.
“It wasn’t just an anniversary celebration; it was also a celebration of a new book,” Henderson told FrontPage Africa following the event. “My team did a tremendous job presenting what CLCY has accomplished over the past eight years, so I wanted to focus on the story behind the book.”
A Story of Hope and Resilience
In an exclusive interview with FrontPage Africa, Henderson described the memoir as the story of a child who desperately wanted an education but faced overwhelming obstacles.
Born in rural Careysburg, he said his parents could not afford to send him to school, forcing him to wait until age 10 before receiving formal education.
His journey later took him through Liberia’s civil conflict, refugee life, migration to the United States, and eventually a 20-year career in the U.S. Navy before returning to invest in his homeland through philanthropy.
“My life has been a complete journey,” Henderson said. “God took me from one life event to another. It wasn’t easy. There were many difficult moments, but through perseverance and God’s grace, I have been able to come through and now help thousands of people in Liberia.”
He said the book seeks to encourage children facing similar hardships while promoting education as the surest path to national development.
“I want every child to understand that where you were born does not determine where you will end up,” he said. “Education should be our number one priority because it empowers people to make informed decisions and build better lives.”
The central message of the memoir, he added, is captured in one simple phrase: “Delay is not denial. Trust God and never give up.”
Eight Years of Community Impact
Since its establishment in 2018, CLCY has expanded beyond educational assistance to include health interventions and community development projects.
Among the organization’s proudest achievements, Henderson pointed to its response during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it distributed food, health supplies and protective materials to vulnerable communities.
“People needed help during COVID-19, and we responded immediately,” he recalled. “We provided the items families desperately needed during that difficult period.”
Headquartered in Careysburg, the nonprofit continues to support disadvantaged children through scholarships, school materials and mentorship while implementing projects aimed at improving living conditions in surrounding communities.
Building for the Future
Looking ahead, Henderson said CLCY is embarking on one of its most ambitious projects yet.
The organization has acquired five acres of land and plans to construct a multi-purpose facility estimated to cost about US$150,000.
Initially, the building will serve as office space, warehouse and security infrastructure before eventually becoming the foundation for a vocational education institution.
“We’re raising funds over the next 12 months,” Henderson explained. “This facility will secure our land today while laying the groundwork for a vocational school that will serve Liberians for decades.”
Book Sales to Fund Scholarships
Henderson said proceeds from the memoir will be directed toward expanding CLCY’s educational programs, including scholarships for Liberian students to pursue higher education abroad.
He disclosed that the book has already generated encouraging interest online.
“When the book was first released online, it sold out and had to be reproduced,” he said. “This isn’t just my story; it’s Liberia’s story. Anyone who reads this book will see themselves in it.”
He expressed confidence that strong sales would enable the organization to sponsor more Liberian students in international universities.
“Our goal is to raise enough resources to provide international scholarships so Liberian children can become engineers, journalists, doctors and professionals who can compete anywhere in the world,” he said.
Official Launch Set for July 22
Henderson announced that the official Liberian launch of Daniel: The Boy Who Wanted School will take place on July 22 at Bella Casa Hotel in Sinkor from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Government officials, diplomats, religious leaders, university representatives, NGOs and members of the public have been invited to attend.
Approximately 150 copies of the memoir have already been brought into Liberia, with additional shipments expected in the coming weeks.
For Henderson, however, the book represents more than a memoir.
“It is about hope,” he said. “It is about proving that no matter where you begin, with faith, perseverance and education, your future can be transformed.”
As CLCY marks eight years of service, Henderson says that message will continue to guide both the organization’s mission and its next chapter of empowering Liberia’s children through education.
