Like any non-profit organization, we benefit from the talent and hard work of our dedicated volunteers. Rachel Smith is one of our fabulous volunteers! It was during our first Ten Thousand Villages Shopping Event in May 2016 that Rachel became interested in our organization. She had recently graduated from Minneapolis Community & Technical College (MCTC)[…]
We encourage and welcome people to visit our vocational training center in Liberia because seeing is believing. On Sunday, June 3, it was a pleasure to receive a visit from one of our long-time supporters, Jasoe Sharpe. She has been part of the UDS family since 2012 before we even became an official non-profit. She discovered[…]
Two years ago, you answered the call of our youth to open a computer lab at our old learning center. We started with six computers and provided free training to cover the basics of computing. Now, two years later and due to your continued generous support, we have 20 computers in our lab at the UDS Vocational Training Center. Our[…]
On Saturday, May 26, our students gathered at our center to clean up the trash that had settled in the area from recent storms and windy days. People within the community quickly noticed their work and expressed gratitude for their efforts. We think it is important to get our youth involved in serving the community as a[…]
When the 2018 course year started on March 20, our hotel management course enrollment quadrupled compared to the previous year. Our beloved instructor Amed Saah Blama, who our students affectionately call “Hotel Papay,” brings over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry. His 19 students pleaded with our co-founder and director Kelvin Fomba to have specially designed uniforms that[…]
It has been an exciting new year for our cosmetology course. First, Roseline Sonday, Student Coordinator & Cosmetology Teacher’s Assistant, recruited a new instructor, Felton Waydiyee Fouah, because he has a broader set of skills that will benefit our 11 students. Mr. Fouah assessing the work of a student as she plaits (braids) the hair[…]
Our 16 new plumbing students started March 20, and we are grateful to have one young woman enrolled in this course for the second consecutive year. The students’ learning is mixed with classroom time and practical experience. Their instructor Emmanuel Somah finds different ways for them to apply their skills. For example, in April, our instructor asked if he[…]
On March 25, Mrs. Annie Cooper unexpectedly passed away. Mrs. Cooper helped establish our catering department when we started in February 2017. Her son George was a graduate of the auto mechanics course, and he recruited his Mom to be the catering instructor. As a result, Mrs. Cooper shared her experience and knowledge with her students and helped[…]
One of our great joys is hearing from you, our esteemed Star Supporters and Classroom Heroes. Recently, a sustaining donor from Colorado responded to our Thank You and said the following: “You are the one to be thanked for your dedication in this area of need. Kelvin Fomba is such an outstanding leader across the ocean. All the[…]
As you celebrate the Mothers in your life, who are with you or in their forever resting place, we’d like to honor you for your nurturing spirit. Your encouragement and kindness planted the seeds for our development and growth. You watered the seeds with your generous heart and created opportunities for young Liberians to learn valuable skills.[…]