by heather-cstars | Sep 16, 2018 | education, fundraiser, Liberia, Scholarships, Thank You, Uniting Distant Stars, youth development, Youth Empowerment
Our scholarship students returned to school after a two-month break. 2018 marks our eighth year of matching generous sponsors to eager students attending primary and secondary schools. Our four sponsors are supporting 17 students in grades Kindergarten 2 (Liberia has two kindergarten levels) to 12th. Total tuition for the 2018/2019 school year is $4,570.
Our 12th grader Deborah Tweah is seen in this photo holding a bag she made from used clothes. She was one of the 20 students that participated in our Backpacks for Peace Service Learning Project in 2015. She lacked any support from family but wanted to finish high school. She demonstrated her desire to learn in the backpacks project and received a scholarship to complete school. The sewing skills she learned during the project have helped her take care of her basic needs while attending school.
This academic scholarship program is important because Liberia’s current economic situation is taking a toll on parents who are not able to enroll their students this year. We are extremely grateful to our sponsors who have committed to supporting these children and youth to high school graduation.
by heather-cstars | Jul 30, 2018 | Africa, education, Electrician Course, fundraiser, Liberia, Scholarships, Solar Panels, Solar Power, Thank You, Uniting Distant Stars, vocational training, youth development, Youth Empowerment
One of our greatest challenges in Liberia is reliable electricity. We are connected to a grid in our community, but the main transformer has had several power outages and surges that force us to use our backup generator. This increases our monthly electricity expenses and damaged some of our equipment.
In January 2018, we visited one of our supporters at Maddy and Harri Wegner’s farm in Carver, Minnesota. Harri installed 150 solar panels and this supports his farming operation. Our Liberian team–Kelvin Fomba, Dominic Siafa, and Dauda Dassin joined via Google Hangout. His solar panels are part of the grid, and he sells solar energy to the electrical company. He shared his knowledge about solar and how it is better to be on a grid instead of a battery pack because the latter loses more energy. He mentioned that micro-grids could be an option to take advantage of more efficient energy use.
Heather Cannon with Harri as he explained the solar panel installation
On June 22, we held our strategic planning meeting, and solar became our number one priority. Our goal is not only to install solar panels at our center in Liberia but also to certify and train our electrician students and recent graduates to be technicians in this renewable energy field. If you having any contacts working with solar panels, please connect them with us. Thank you!
Become a Classroom Hero and DONATE today to support the vocational training of Liberia Youth!
by heather-cstars | Jul 30, 2018 | education, fundraiser, Liberia, Scholarships, Thank You, Uniting Distant Stars, vocational training, youth development, Youth Empowerment
We are grateful to meet with Chris Lohrey who founded The Rock Insurance Agency to support causes in Liberia. He recently sponsored an electrician student, Joshua M. Jackson, who completed our assessment test earlier this year but could not raise the funds to attend. He dropped out of school in the eighth grade but knows the value of learning a trade to help him be self-sufficient.
Chris shared in his recent newsletter why supporting young people in Liberia matters:
“We believe in not only elevating living conditions in Liberia but also education so people like Joshua can improve their own living conditions through skill and knowledge. We are so proud to be a part of his journey!”
The Rock Insurance Agency is committed to providing their clients with high-quality products. I switched auto insurance in March because he could lower my monthly premiums significantly. Please read his company’s mission and learn about how you can make a difference by asking for a quote today. Visit http://therockinsure.com or call 952-222-3486 for more information.
Thank you, Chris and The Rock Insurance Agency for sponsoring Joshua and becoming his Classroom Hero!
by heather-cstars | Jun 20, 2018 | education, Liberia, Scholarships, Star Supporter, Stars, Thank You, Uniting Distant Stars, vocational training, youth development, Youth Empowerment
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 our work through Twitter posts and asked how she could volunteer during her vacation in 2012. At this time, we were partnering with a local primary school and invited her to provide a teacher’s workshop, because she has an extensive background in education. She then started sponsoring a student in our scholarship program.
During Jasoe’s (gray shirt) July 2012 visit, standing with UDS Co-Founder & Director Kelvin Fomba and the teachers at Russ Wood School
When Kelvin received the call from Jasoe on June 3 that she was stopping by on her way to the airport, he was overjoyed to see her again. Jasoe came with a friend and Kelvin gave them a tour of the center. This is what she shared in an email:
“I was in Liberia and visited the Uniting Distant Stars campus and just wanted to say I love what you guys are doing there. It is quite an improvement from the last time I visited. Just wanted to say thank you.“
Kelvin and Jasoe during her visit on June 3, 2018
Her friend returned later that week to get more information about the UDS center and talk with our students. She will be posting this on her website. We are looking forward to this post because she will be sharing her first-hand experience of how you, our valued supporters, are making a lasting impact on the lives of Liberian Youth.
Jasoe’s photo of our center
Your continued support allows for the positive development of Liberian youth who are seeking to make this world a better place!
by heather-cstars | Mar 20, 2018 | Africa, Auto Mechanics, catering, Computer Course, Computer Lab, cosmetology, education, Electricity, entepreneurship, fundraiser, Innovation, Leaders, Liberia, NGO, Plumbing, Scholarships, Skills training, Star Potential, Star Supporter, Stars, Students, tailoring, Teachers, Thank You, Treadle Sewing Machines, Uniting Distant Stars, vocational training, youth development, Youth Empowerment, Youth Leadership
Enoch Daniel Tarr wrote the song, “Education is Better Than Silver & Gold” for UDS.
One of our computer students, Enoch Daniel Tarr, from 2016 wrote a song to promote Uniting Distant Stars Vocational Training Center. Enoch is 16 years old and wanted to express his gratitude for our programs through music.
Our creative and talented board member, Anna Bertch, created a music video of Enoch’s song with photos of all our courses. Please enjoy listening to this uplifting song that will get you moving with the music.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wb_5NsSsR_o[/embedyt]
by heather-cstars | Feb 24, 2018 | Africa, cosmetology, education, Graduation, Liberia, Plumbing, Scholarships, Thank You, Uniting Distant Stars, vocational training, youth development, Youth Empowerment
“Uniting Distant Stars believes in practical experience. Our students are so happy when they can do their practicals daily. They know graduation is nearing and learning everything they need to know before they receive their diploma. Good Luck students, you have UDS blessing already.” by Kelvin Fomba, USD Co-Founder & Director.
Your cosmetology students continue to apply their knowledge like pedicures to volunteers.
Can you believe it has been a year since our students started their vocational training journey? As you have seen throughout the year, our students are showing up to class daily and working hard to polish their skills in the given they field they embarked on. You made this quality learning opportunity possible by being their Classroom Hero and supplying the practical learning materials needed for them to successfully complete their course. You have witnessed their commitment and dedication to changing their lives for the better.
Your plumbing students learn how to install a tub and commode in our learning lab.
Our scholarship students returned to school after a two-month break. 2018 marks our eighth year of matching generous sponsors to eager students attending primary and secondary schools. Our four sponsors are supporting 17 students in grades Kindergarten 2 (Liberia has two kindergarten levels) to 12th. Total tuition for the 2018/2019 school year is $4,570. 
