by heather-cstars | Aug 13, 2018 | Africa, Catering Course, Computer Course, Cosmetology Course, education, Electrician Course, entepreneurship, fundraiser, Hotel Management Course, Jackson George Jr., Leaders, Leadership, Liberia, Minnesota Liberian Consulate, NGO, Plumbing Course, Skills training, Star Potential, Star Supporter, Stars, Tailoring Course, Thank You, Uniting Distant Stars, vocational training, youth development, Youth Empowerment
When you invest in young people of any nation, you are developing the leaders of tomorrow. Your continued support provides leadership development with our youth. In July, the students elected their student council from a field of interested candidates. They planned an installment program for their new leaders and to celebrate their accomplishments in their given courses.
As they were planning their program, Jackson George (Consul General of the Minnesota Liberian Consulate) contacted us about visiting our center during his trip to Liberia. The original plan was to have him visit on July 30, but this became a holiday for the senatorial election, so the students decided to invite him to their program so he could endorse their leadership and be their guest speaker.
Jackson enjoyed being part of this program and meeting our students. When asked in an email if he had anything to share about his visit he responded, “I just want people to know about the great work you are doing to help the people of Liberia. It was a learning and exciting process for me.” Everyone is very grateful to Jackson for making this a successful and memorable program.
The program started with the students from the various courses showcasing what they have learned during the first third of their term.
Your students showcasing what they have learned (left to right, top to bottom): Catering, Computer, Cosmetology, Electrician, Plumbing, and Tailoring students
Next, Jackson shared motivational words with the students about the benefits of learning a trade and also how to use social media to share what they are learning and to connect with people.
Jackson George, Consul General of Minnesota Liberian Consulate, inspiring UDS students to achieve their goals and make a difference
Jackson followed his talk by endorsing our new Student Council who will be serving until they graduate next year.
Congrats to the 2018/2019 Uniting Distant Stars Student Council!
New Student Council (left to right): Teddy Jr, Ngayenga (President), Caraton M. Mahn (Vice President), Sylvester T. Yeah Jr (Secretary-general), Emmanuel L. Tarr (Financially secretary), Abraham C. Morgan (advisor), Zawida Gaylee (Treasurer), & Aujustine Kouadio (Chaplain)
by heather-cstars | Jun 17, 2018 | Computer Course, Computer Lab, education, Liberia, Thank You, Uniting Distant Stars, vocational training, youth development, Youth Empowerment
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 current one-year course has 44 students who are enrolled in one of three sections. Each section meets for two hours, three times a week. During this year-long course, our students learn how to assemble a desktop computer, how to work a keyboard and mouse, how to standard type, how to use Microsoft Suite Software, and how to browse the Internet.
Your computer students learning how to type with Mavis Beacon Software
Our students love the quality of training they receive in our computer lab. Because many of them have attended other institutions in Monrovia, we know that UDS stands out as follows:
- There is one student per computer during the two-hour class.
- The course topics are combined as one package that is affordable to the student instead of being divided into individual classes requiring students to enroll and pay tuition for each one.
- Our curriculum allows the students to apply their knowledge in beneficial ways such as writing their Curriculum Vitae (similar to a resume) in Microsoft Word or creating a PowerPoint Presentation on a topic of their choice.
You may remember that two months ago we shared a testimony from Abu B Kiawu. He graduated from our computer course on March 24, 2018, and his testament illustrates our commitment to educate and train Liberia’s rising stars.
Without a doubt, your investment in providing marketable skill training for Liberian Youth is paying off. Thank you for being their Classroom Hero and Star Supporter!
Your students love learning in our computer lab!
Your continued support ensures that young Liberians receive high-quality computer training at our vocational training center and that they are prepared to meet the demands of the ever-changing world!
by heather-cstars | Apr 20, 2018 | Computer Course, Computer Lab, computer proficiency, Computers, Congo Town, education, fundraiser, Generosity, graduates, Graduation, Gratitude, Liberia, Thank You, Uniting Distant Stars, vocational training, youth development, Youth Empowerment
Your continued generosity flows like a river of opportunity for aspiring young Liberian men and women. One of our graduates
Abu B Kiawu, who rode your current of hope, posted his inspiring testimony on Facebook of his journey with Uniting Distant Stars. He gave us permission to share his eloquently written message of gratitude:
You made Abu’s journey possible, and his expression of gratitude illustrates how your continued support is making a difference for him and his fellow graduates. Thank you!
by heather-cstars | Apr 20, 2018 | Computer Course, Computer Lab, computer proficiency, Computers, education, fundraiser, Liberia, Thank You, Uniting Distant Stars, vocational training, youth development, Youth Empowerment
As a valued Star Supporter, you improve the learning environment for our ambitious students. In the last newsletter we shared the story of Adam Pederson’s Facebook Fundraiser for our computer lab. We combined the $2,020 raised from his two donors with the $180 from Florkime Paye’s Facebook Fundraiser (the remainder went towards the graduation) earlier this year to purchase additional computers.
Kelvin Fomba, Co-Founder and Director, negotiated a deal with a vendor to purchase:
- 12 used desktop computers loaded with Microsoft Software, Mavis Beacon Typing Application, and other software
- 12 combo chair desks
Photos (clockwise starting top left): 1) New computers 2) Dauda Dassin and Roseline Sonday setting up the computers 3) Kelvin Fomba arranging the desks
The final price is $2,800, and we are raising funds for the $600 balance. Thank you to all the Star Supporters for fulfilling this need! Because of you, our lab consists of 20 computers for the benefit of our students.
by heather-cstars | Apr 10, 2018 | Computer Course, Computer Lab, donate, donation, education, fundraiser, Liberia, Thank You, Uniting Distant Stars, vocational training, youth development, Youth Empowerment
A nice way to start your morning is to get a text message asking, “Hey! Have you checked out UDS’s Facebook today?” This is how Adam Pederson, UDS Board Secretary, contacted me on March 6th. I immediately went to our Facebook Page and noticed Adam created a fundraiser to raise $2,000 for our computer lab. Within in two days he raised $2,020 with two donors. Wow!!!
Facebook makes fundraising easy, and no longer charges a 5% processing fee on debit and credit card charges to 501(c)3 organizations. Adam used a simple tool and shared an article about a teacher in Ghana who had no computers to train his students. This teacher instead used a chalkboard and sketched how to use Microsoft Word.
Our Uniting Distant Stars Youth are fortunate to have a team of Classroom Heroes like you. Your support is what opened our computer lab in 2016, which has been the main attraction for our students ever since. And in 2017, you helped us move to our new center with a larger computer lab. The photo below shows how you expanded our computer lab!
Liberian youth are fully aware of the importance of computer training. Oneal Willie, a computer student, featured in our “Creating Opportunities for Youth in Liberia” video in 2017, said (starting at 3:44), “The world is advanced. Anything that you do now, you have to have a knowledge of computers. Without computer knowledge, you cannot do anything.”
You helped make this lab stand out among other training schools in Liberia. This course ensures each student has their own computer to work with during the class time. This term we have 35 students enrolled and assigned to one of three sections. If more students enroll in the next few weeks, we will add another section to accommodate their learning needs.
Later this month, our team will purchase additional computers for our lab from Adam’s fundraiser. Thank again to Adam and his two generous donors for making this possible!!!
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]
