Monrovia – Hundreds of Ivorian people had no alternative but to flee their homes in 2011 when war heightened between forces loyal to Alassane Ouattra, the elected President, and Laurent Gbagbo who was clinging onto power.
Many fled to neighboring Liberia which for them was the only hope for survival. They fled using dangerous routes or crossing on canoes to the Southeastern part of Liberia.
Maryland county was the first place of safety many refugees arrived at and therefore became one of the communities people chose to settle down. It is here, that Bridge PSL is running 19 schools and providing quality education to kids at primary level serving a mix of local Liberians and recently arrived Ivorians.
Thirty-one year old, Sompohe Norvice Ba, is one of several ladies who fled the war with six children (only two, her own) leaving her husband behind.
Madam Ba runs a Cheke and fish stall, a typical Ivorian food made of cassava (farina) which is heated and topped with sauce and fish. A delicious meal in Maryland.
Though no longer in need of refugee status – peace has returned to the Ivory Coast – Madam Ba has chosen to stay in Liberia for the many benefits it offers her family, including a great school. Madam Ba’s kids attend Little Wlebo School, Maryland, a Bridge PSL school, and she’s very happy about that. Selling food, being able to feed her family and having a school that gives her children a chance at life are all things that seemed big dreams a few years ago.
‘I am happy to stay here so my children can go to school and learn. My children are: Jonas, Evelyn, Babmawe, Mike, Meme, Masaleene, and Darlington’ she told the Bridge PSL team recently in Maryland county.
Sompohe Norvice Ba says with her kids in school and running a business in a peaceful environment, she thinks Liberia now is a home. She doesn’t miss where she came from,she intends to stay.
‘The teachers here all use teacher computers and that is alright; it doesn’t matter that we are very far from everything; the teachers have good lessons. My children have very good English. Yes, better than me. I’m too happy my children are learning so much. I know they will be something when they grow up’ she narrated.
Sompohe is just one of the many people who have fled conflict to keep their families safe. She is one of the few that has found a home and a school to offer her children the chance of a brighter future.
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