by heather-cstars | Feb 26, 2017 | Auto Mechanics, Computer Course, crochet, curriculum vitae, Interior Decoration course, Liberia, typing, youth development
It has been nearly a month since we started vocational training classes at the Uniting Distant Stars Training Center. We started with eight courses and hope to add two more once we get enough students enrolled. Our students receive a combination of theory and practical application in each course to help them better understand both the “why” and “how” in learning a particular trade. The goal of our program is to connect our students to employers for internships or apprenticeships so they can gain additional experience outside the classroom and showcase their abilities in hiring managers.
Two weeks ago we shared in our post “
See What’s Baking at Uniting Distant Stars” what the catering students were learning. Now we like to introduce you to three of our other courses:
Auto Mechanics, Computers, and
Interior Decorating.Auto Mechanics Course
This is one of our legacy courses that was birthed during the Ebola crisis when young people wanted to learn a skill instead of sitting home. Kelvin Fomba, UDS co-founder and country director, developed this course from his extensive career as an auto mechanic working with different types of engines. This course is 12 months long and
will provide ample opportunities for students to work with tools and complete service and repair jobs on vehicles, generators and other machinery. Two of the students are female which we have seen a gradual trend of young women entering this trade. Students who graduate from this course can either start their own business or seek employment from an existing garage. Our 2014/2015 students demonstrated their ability to find work as shared in our post, “
Meet UDS Auto Mechanic and Driver’s Ed Graduates“.
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| Auto Mechanics learning about the concepts and terminology for this field. |
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| The uniform shirt for Auto Mechanics is blue. |
Computer Course
Because of your inspiring generosity, we were able to fulfill the wishes of our youth in Liberia by
launching this course in 2016. Computer training is a highly sought-after course in Liberia. Young people see that learning how to operate a computer and navigate the internet means an increase in their marketability for future employment. Currently, we have 42 students enrolled in this nine-month course. We offer four classes with morning and afternoon classes that meet either Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. The course is divided into five levels: 1) Introduction to computers and typing, 2) Microsoft Word, 3) Microsoft Excel, 4) Microsoft Power Point & Publisher, and 5) Internet Browsing & Review Previous 4 Levels.
Our students will learn how to write curriculum vitae, various letters, create presentations, and set up and use an email account.
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| Computer students from the Mon, Wed, Fri morning class taking a candid photo with Kelvin Fomba. |
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| Our computer students are practicing their typing skills. |
Interior Decorating Course
This is one of our newer courses. The demand for people with this skill is high. This nine-month course is similar to Interior Design for homes and businesses but it also entails multifaceted decorations for weddings, birthdays, graduations, and other special events. This course is taught by the same teachers, Mrs. Annie Cooper and Mrs. Sandi Akashi, as catering. Students will learn how to create flower arrangements, coordinate design of colors and themes for homes, businesses, and events, and much more. This is another field that will allow our graduates to create a business or find employment.
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| Students learning how to make flower arrangements. |
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| This young woman learned how to crochet this doll dress. She will use this skill to create table coverings. |
You, as our committed and generous donor, are giving young Liberians the opportunity to learn marketable skills that will change their lives to the better. Like vocational institutes in the U.S., we offer courses in fields that have a strong market demand, so our students can position themselves for employment and/or entrepreneurship. You should be overjoyed and proud of your service to young Liberians, because it is making a difference!
Thank you for being a highly valued Star Supporter for children & youth in Liberia!
by heather-cstars | Jan 30, 2017 | Computer Course, instructors, Liberia, Sanitation System, student orientation. Radio Advent Liberia, vocational training, Volunteers, water
As the clock ticks closer to the first vocational training classes at our training center, our Team Liberia is working fervently to finalize preparations! Our team is ecstatic to show you, our dedicated Star Supporter, their passion and resolve in helping to equip young Liberians with the skills they need to be self-sufficient. You are giving them the drive to ensure everything is set for the opening day on February 1st.
- Prepare the training center for the classes.
- Purchase the “Tools to Success” (i.e. computers)
- Hold a student orientation, and
- Share our story on Radio Advent’s talk show
Training Center Preparations: Our extremely talented volunteers have fixed the remaining two toilets (there are four bathrooms) and built removable partitions in our great hall for the individual classes. Our training center is hooked up to the city water supply, and work is needed to connect to the pipes in the building. Sanitation and conducive learning environments are critical for our students.
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| One of two new commodes replaced to ensure all four bathrooms are working. |
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| Daude, who is a young volunteer, with skills in carpentry and masonry. |
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| Daude built the removable partitions in our great hall. |
Tools for Success: Our team started purchasing the equipment and materials that students will use for their practical training. Our computer training program draws the most students. This is why seven used desktops were purchased this week to increase our total to 16! Our goal is 20, if we can find a vendor who has available computers. Also, another essential item was purchased: a printer! Some of our courses will require worksheets as part of the learning tools.
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| Your generosity purchased these desktops being installed in our computer lab. |
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| UDS Co-Founder & Country Director, Kelvin Fomba, helping volunteers with the installation. |
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| Thank you for this much needed printer! |
Student Orientation: Friday, January 27th, About 50 young men and women attended an orientation session at our training center. They were introduced to their instructors, toured the facility, received information on program rules and code of conduct, were provided the schedule, and much more. Currently, about 40 students have registered for our 8 courses—Electricity, Auto Mechanics, Plumbing, Computers, Interior Design, Cosmetology, Hotel Management and Catering. While there is interest for our two other courses: sewing and masonry, students have not paid their registration fee yet.
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| Kelvn Fomba welcoming young Liberian to our student orientation. |
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| Our instructors introduce themselves to the students, Kelvin will be training the auto mechanics. |
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| Computer students meet their instructor and learn about the expectation for this course. |
Talk Show: Also, on January 27, Kelvin Fomba (UDS Co-Founder & Country Director), Godfrey Solomon (Hossana Children’s Foundation Co-Founder & UDS Volunteer), and Patrick Junusa, Jr. (UDS Volunteer) participated on Radio Advent’s talk show. One of the broadcasters of this station, Thomas Jefferson, expressed an interest in partnering with UDS. He and others are interested in participating in our training classes to learn a skill while offering us free time on the airwaves to share our services. This radio station is walking distance from our center so this a perfect relationship!
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| Kelvin on the left and Godfrey on the right. |
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| Patrick on the left and Kelvin on the right. |
The Joy of Training Youth to Succeed was made possible by your compassion and selflessness! There is not enough ways for us to express our heartfelt appreciation and thanks for your continued to support in making Young Stars in Liberia shine brighter.
by heather-cstars | Dec 4, 2016 | Computers, education, Facebook Fundraiser, Liberia, Ten Thousand Villages, Treadle Sewing Machines, vocational training
You are moving mountains with your heartwarming generosity! You made #GivingTuesday a remarkable success. Not only did you help unlock the matching gift of $500, but you raised another $320. In other words, you raised $1,320 (24%) towards our $5,500 goal.
It gets even better! One of our fabulous board members, Miriam Monono, started a fundraiser for UDS on Facebook, sponsored by the Network for Good, to raise a $1,000 that will be matched dollar for dollar by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Facebook is waiving the fees to make your online donations. Six donors raised $215 within the first three days. You can double your generous gift by clicking on this link and the blue Donate button as shown in the screen shot below. This fundraiser is in conjunction with our year-end campaign. Your holiday gift-giving for children & youth in Liberia can have a greater impact when it is doubled…raise a $1,000 to give $2,000 to provide educational and vocational training resources for children & youth in Liberia.
Also, we hope to see you this Thursday (December 8, 2016) at Ten Thousand Villages for their charitable event on Uniting Distant Stars’ behalf. Please stop by between 5PM and 8PM to shop for fabulous gifts, enjoy a treat on us, and learn more about our programs. For all in-store shopping during this event, UDS will receive a percentage; 10% of sales up to $150 and 20%, if sales total more than $150. The store is located at 520 Selby Ave, St. Paul, MN 55102.
Finally, this post will close with a simple prayer request. Our team in Liberia has recruited 120 students for our January vocational training courses with a third signed up for computer training course. We have one young man, who signed up for the masonry course. Each course needs at least 10 students to offer it. He was given the option to select another one. He declined and said, “this his heart’s desire”. How can we refuse someone’s dream? So we ask for your prayers to help us recruit nine other students who share this young man’s passion.
You are celebrated for making everything STARtacular for children & youth in Liberia!!!
by heather-cstars | Nov 14, 2016 | Computers, education, Give to the Max Day, Liberia, Treadle Sewing Machines, vocational training
You are the reason behind all our successes this year. We celebrate your gracious efforts everyday. Liberian children & youth are happy because of your generous heart!
Spreading the news: Uniting Distant Stars Co-Founder & Country Director, Kelvin Fomba, was interviewed on United Methodist Radio 98.7 FM in Liberia on Friday 11/11/16. He was accompanied by two of our youth leaders Roseline Sonday & Patrick Junusa Jr. and shared on what we accomplished with your help and where you will take us next.
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| Left to Right: Kelvin’s interview at radio station; Patrick at his college graduation earlier this year; & Roseline wearing one of the backpacks she helped make. |
Today, a local artist painted the UDS logo on our new center. Adding our brand to our building is another way to spread the news about your unyielding support of Liberian children & youth.
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| Your generosity is making a different for children & youth in Liberia. |
Save the date: Thank you for being a valued part of the Uniting Distant Stars Community.
Each year, generous Star Supporters like you celebrate Give to the Max Day by making your online donation on GiveMN.org. Your generosity on this makes a difference far beyond the 24-hour giving event.
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| Your generosity on Give to the Max Day will provide Liberian children & youth with the “Tools for Success“. Thank you! |
Please join us on November 17, 2016, for Give to the Max Day and help us continue to change lives through providing education & vocational training.
Your donation on Give to the Max Day also may help UDS receive an additional donation of $1,000. How? On November 17, every gift made on GiveMN.org will be entered into an hourly drawing for a $1,000 GiveMN Golden Ticket to be awarded to a non-profit organization. Your gift of $10 or more could instantly turn into an $1,000!
And, here’s the really exciting part: Two donations made on GiveMN.org during the Give to the Max Day campaign will be randomly selected to receive a $10,000 Super-Sized GiveMN Golden Ticket!
The more gifts we generate on GiveMN.org during Give to the Max Day, the more our chances increase to receive that additional 10,000 donation. Image what we could do with $10,000 to help children & youth in Liberia.
Our goal is to raise $5,500, and you can help us reach it!
Your generous gift will buy additional copies of books for our library, 12 more used computers for our lab, and 8 sewing machines for our training program. These are the “Tools for Success” needed for Liberia’s children & youth to get the upper hand in developing knowledge and skills.
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| Your fabulous gift will add more books to our library (left), additional computers for our lab (center) & sewing machines for our training program (right). |
Be sure to mark your calendar and make your gift on November 17 by visiting our campaign page “Tools for Success: Books, Computers, & Sewing Machines” at GiveMN.org.
Thank you for being our valued Shining Stars!
by heather-cstars | Oct 24, 2016 | Computer Course, education, Liberia, School Supply Drive, Study Classes, UDS Dimes for Dreams, UDS Learning Center
Can you hear it? Our joyful children and youth in Liberia are singing their praises and thanks to you! They are so grateful to you for raising $3,500 in this year’s school supply drive, from both our annual campaign and our Dimes for Dreams promotion. Through your unfailing support, we raised 50% of our goal, and this will put needed school supplies in the hands of young children. Our Liberian team worked with all three schools on how to give each one of the 700 students supplies, because no one wants a young child to go home empty handed!
Here is the schedule for the distribution of your generous gift to these children:
- October 23: Rogma International School in Paynesville will host their program for students to receive their supplies. (Photos & stories will be posted soon).
- October 29: City of Joy & Russ Wood students & parents are invited to attend UDS Learning Center Grand Opening Program In Divine Town Community to receive their supplies and learn about our programs.
Your faith and commitment to our cause empowered our team in Liberia to complete the painting of the building and move into to our new site. One of our long-time donors provided a donation to install electricity in our new learning center. We opened to students over a week ago. While the building serves the students with their educational and vocational training needs, we will continue to solicit funds to finish the renovations, pay the remaining portion of the lease, buy needed equipment and supplies, and provide salaries.
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| You empower youth! Roseline (left) and Princess (right) volunteered to paint the building. |
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| Clockwise Upper left: Josh, Kelvin Fomba (UDS Co-Founder), Patrick & Princess. |
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| Kelvin (right) completing the final touches of the building. |
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| Inside the main hall with its new lights. |
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| The other side of the main hall. |
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| This leads to the door of the registration office. |
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| You inspire excellence! Young students receiving help with their homework. |
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| One of our teachers providing a study class for young students. |
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| Another teaching holding a study class for older students. |
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| Students learning how to use the computer. |
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| Computers students learning the how to use basic software programs. |
Your compassionate service to the children & youth in Liberia is providing them with the knowledge & supplies they need to succeed in their academic studies. We give you our whole-hearted “Thank You!” for making this all possible!
by heather-cstars | May 8, 2016 | Computer Course, education, Fundraising, Liberia, Ten Thousand Villages, vocational training
We invite you to come and support Uniting Distant Stars at the Ten Thousand Villages Community Shopping Event at 3825 50th Street in Minneapolis on May 21 from 12PM to 4PM. Ten Thousand Villages sells Fair Trade Handmade items from artisans living in developing nations. This event will be a great opportunity to find special gifts for upcoming birthdays, graduations and weddings. Ten Thousand Villages will donate 15% from the eligible sales during the event. Please visit our table to see a sample of our backpack and learn more about our programs serving youth in Liberia. We look forward to seeing you there!
