by heather-cstars | Jun 1, 2018 | education, Liberia, Plumbing, Thank You, Uniting Distant Stars, vocational training, youth development, Youth Empowerment
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 could have the students clean our center’s four commodes. He worked with our students in removing, cleaning, and replacing each commode. This lesson helped our students learn how this important piece of sanitation hardware works and what could cause it to malfunction.
In May, one of the classroom sessions involved learning to identify the different types of tools and materials, such as pipes and fittings, that the students would be using in this trade. In the video below, you can watch a brief interaction with the instructor and his students during this class lesson. Mr. Somah, like all our instructors, provides a fun learning environment, and our students enjoy receiving their knowledge.
You made it possible for this young woman to learn how to be a plumber![embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84rKUuwbHYg[/embedyt]
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.
by heather-cstars | Jan 29, 2018 | education, Liberia, Plumbing, Thank You, Uniting Distant Stars, vocational training, youth development, Youth Empowerment
Your superpowers as a Classroom Hero, allowed Uniting Distant Stars to build a Plumbing Learning Lab for our students. This lab is adjacent to our main building and gives our students that opportunity to lay pipe and install commodes, sinks, and tubs as they would for a home or office building. Your generosity has empowered these students to gain the practical experience they need to establish a career in Plumbing. Liberia is still rebuilding their water and sanitation system, so there is tremendous opportunity in this field.
Our co-founder Kelvin Fomba in Liberia has this message to share with you: “To all our supporters, volunteers, donors, board members, etc. Please just take a look at what your generosity is doing for our youth in Liberia. I am so happy to come across people like you for contributing towards the development of our Nation. May God continue to bless you and your entire family.”
As you will see in our photos, our students went to work immediately once this lab opened. You will notice our one female student working just as hard as her male peers. We hope more young women will consider this essential trade for the health and well-being of all Liberian people.
You are the inspiration behind these hardworking Plumbing Students
Plumbing students connecting pipe in our learning lab you helped build.
You made it possible for these students to know how to measure and fit pipes together.
You provided the tools such as this level to ensure our students know how to properly install pipes.
We celebrate you for giving our Plumbing Students the tools and equipment to apply what they have learned in this 12-month course. Our students will be graduating soon and are ready to join any plumbing business to put their skills to work. Thank you for being Classroom Heroes to our Plumbing students!
by heather-cstars | Jun 25, 2017 | Africa, cosmetology, donate, education, electricity course, Electricity Course, Facebook Fundraiser, fundraiser, Liberia, Plumbing, Shop classes, Skills training, Star Supporter, Students, tailoring, Treadle Sewing Machines, Uniting Distant Stars, youth development, Youth Empowerment
DONATE NOW! GOAL: $7,200 RAISED: $202
Here is YOUR chance to change the world–
Become a Classroom Hero for Liberian Youth Today!
Are you ready to support the aspirations of young Liberians and help them achieve their goals?
Then this is your chance to Become a Classroom Hero for Liberian Youth attending our vocational training classes.
Help us raise $7,200 to purchase the required practical materials for our courses in Catering, Cosmetology, Electricity, Plumbing and Tailoring by:
- Donating online or writing a check to Uniting Distant Stars, 4010 Lawndale LN N, Plymouth, MN 55446
- Start a Facebook Fundraiser on Uniting Distant Stars’ Behalf to encourage others to support our ambitious youth in Liberia.
- Host or create a fundraiser to sponsor a course as follows:
✮ Catering needs $1,000 for baking pans, mixing bowls, cooking pots, etc.
✮ Cosmetology needs $2,000 for flat irons, materials for hair and nails, etc.
✮ Electricity needs $1.500 for tools, meters & testers, and other materials.
✮ Plumbing needs $1,500 for tools, pipes, faucets and other materials.
✮ Tailoring needs $1,200 for scissors, thread, ironing board, machine oil, and other materials.
All
DONATIONS are
tax-deductible and
life changing! Thank you for making a difference in the lives of children & young adults!
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.
