|
Mandingo Nations Website |
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
|
Useful Links |
News And Articles |
||||||||||||
|
Community Links
|
THE POWER OF AN EDUCATED WOMAN –
ANOTHER FUTURE MODEL OF MANDINGO PROWESS By: Abraham Bility 01 September, 2010  It
was John Sloan who put it brilliantly for us that “the real challenge
ahead is one of making the most efficient use of our resources, and not
the least of these resources is our intelligent youth.” The
sustainability of any great nation, community, institution, or group of
people lies within the adequate preparation of its future custodians –
the promising youth. As history has proven over the years, Liberian
Mandingoes are just as productive, brilliant, hardworking, economically
enriched, politically savvy, and developmentally upright as other
Liberians. By all standards, we have proudly seen Liberian Mandingo students meritoriously ranked among the crème de la crème - securing various listings of primary and secondary schools, as well as colleges and universities - for their academic excellence and exemplary leadership displays. However, as a community, we have given very little or no recognition to the hard work, and marvelous achievements of our young men and women. Hence, they do not see the need to forge ahead no matter what; since, in fact, we - as parents, and a community - renege on our responsibility to create an aura of expectancy that will challenge the potentials of the Liberian Mandingo youths, and consequently allow them to succeed at life’s challenges with absolute pride and dignity. Today, we can proudly boast of the increasing number of Liberian Mandingoes living in the USA - a nation where any and everything is possible. As you read, our Liberian Mandingo communities in the USA can pride themselves with some of the best cars, homes, outfits which make fashion statements, etc. Some even boast of their many “American children.” However, what the Liberian Mandingo community is yet to pride itself with is investing in the future of our children by actively participating in their academic and leadership journeys, encouraging them every step along the way, and ensuring that they become successful at all tasks and grow up into very reliable and productive future leaders. Several decades ago, the Liberian Mandingo community suffered self-orchestrated isolation from the conventional Liberian political life as a result of fears borne by our forefathers that western education, politics, and the likes would put the Liberian Mandingo community at the risk of being religiously indoctrinated and culturally brainwashed. Hence, our forefathers basically focused on nomadic trade and Islamic studies as the way of life, thereby neglecting participation in national affairs as a function of citizenship. Liberian Mandingo children were denied the opportunity to attain western style education in the name of religious and cultural preservations. Those who were fortunate to have escaped in their quest for western education were sometimes ostracized by their families and the Liberian Mandingo Community as a whole. Though the Liberian Mandingo community today seems to have overcome such challenges of societal exclusivity, lack of mainstream community involvement, and political dormancy, it still faces a far more overwhelming task of overcoming the dearth of western education among its people. As a result, the Liberian Mandingo community continues to experience a prolonged tendency of unprecedented and inhumane acts of marginalization and prejudices against its people by other “civilized” Liberian tribes. Yes! While, others may argue that the Liberian Mandingo Community has seen great transformations over the years, one will still maintain that the challenge of embracing western education and investing in the education of our youth is far more monumental than those of yester-years. In order to remain focus and successful, the Liberian Mandingo community both at home and in the Diasporas must now embark on an aggressive and massive campaign, parallel to none and never seen or heard of before, to educate its youth and proffer them all the necessary ingredients of professional leadership development. As a pathway to the land of success, in such a world of modern, technological and developmental advancement, Liberian Mandingoes must strive to succeed by engaging and competing with minds and talents from different walks of life. Against this backdrop, let the leadership of FELMAUSA proudly recognize one of the reliable future custodians of the Liberian Mandingo pride. An emerging leader whose academic prowess has gained national recognition in the U.S.A, Ms. Makagbe Konneh Bility is one of the promising future women leaders of the Liberian Mandingo community. Born to the blessed union of Mr. Karfala Bility (KB) and Muaya Konneh, Ms. Bility is one of the meritorious students at the Paint Brunch High School in Maryland. Despite the post war challenges of Liberia, coupled with varying economic hardships her family as well as many Liberian Mandingo face in this day and age, Ms. Bility has relentlessly braced herself, applying her time and talents wisely to excel beyond and above the call of duty. On July 8, 2010, The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) extended membership to Ms. Bility. The NSHSS recognizes top scholars and invites only those students who have achieved academic excellence. The announcement was made by NSHSS Founder and Chairman Claes Nobel, a senior member of the family that established the Noble Prizes. “On behalf of NSHSS, I am honored to recognize the hard work, sacrifices, and commitment that Makagbe has demonstrated to achieve this level of academic excellence,” said Mr. Nobel. “Makagbe is now a member of a unique community of scholars – a community that represents our very best hope for the future.” Quite recently, “The National Society of High School Scholars” honored Ms. Makagbe Konneh Bility for her superior academic achievements. As a result of her excellent academic performance and exemplary leadership roles amongst her peers, Ms. Bility has been selected – among thousands of students – to represent the State of Maryland as a national scholar at the National Young Leaders Conference (NYLC) slated for fall 2010 in Washington, D.C. Student Makagbe Konneh Bility is among hundreds of potential Mandingo youths who have shown exemplary leadership and academic qualities over the years. These accomplished individuals deserve our warmest recognition and fullest support as a community. Such worthy recognition will definitely help harness a spirit of renewed hope and enthusiasm for the many other Liberian Mandingo youths who are on the verge of falling behind as they strive to actualize their dreams. It is often said that “the youths of today are the future leaders of tomorrow”. This famous saying seems to be quite true only if the youths of today are given the necessary supports and opportunities to enrich their potentials as they take on future leadership roles. As a community, we need to harness this mantle and create a very conducive environment that will mold our future generations into effective change agents, while at the same time adequately nourishing them with the requisite attributes of ethical and reliable leadership. According to Ms. Bility, her parents remain her primary inspiration to work hard beyond and above all expectations and successfully overcome life’s daunting challenges. “My mother never finished high school because of hard time. My dad’s parents really never had much, but with his determination for school, he struggled to go to school,” Ms. Bility recounts. “I am very grateful to God for giving me such wonderful parents; they have never hesitated sacrificing their career goals and life desires just to secure a brighter and better future for my brother and me. Thank you mom and dad,” Ms. Bility emotionally acclaims. “I believe with hard work and dedication”, Ms. Bility accentuates, “I can get scholarships to college.” In college, Ms. Bility plans to focus on science and math as a gateway to medical school. Ultimately, she hopes to become a pediatrician – a journey which requires twelve long years of concentrated academic studies and leadership development. Ladies and Gentlemen, kindly join the leadership of our noble organization, FELMAUSA, in recognizing and giving Ms. Bility her flowers – while she is alive – for her diligence and successful attainments. Ms. Bility! You are a pride of the Liberian Mandingo community. We are extremely honored to share this wonderful journey with you and your family. May God richly bless you and your family during the highs and lows of your academic pursuits! Meanwhile, it is our fervent hope that Ms. Bility’s success story will serve as a profound encouragement for other students and their parents to see the sky as the only limit to successfully accomplishing their academic, professional, and life-long goals. “With God above us all, we will overall prevail.” Meet the pride parents of Makagbe Bility, Mr. Karfala Bility (KB) and Muaya Konneh,  |
||||||||||||
|
Mandingo
Nations Webite Incorp. |
|||||||||||||
