How I Made It

Since 1847, Liberia enjoyed the splendor of rich forests, magnificent beaches, and most important of all, the purchasing power that the U.S. dollar brought to a family enabling daily dinners for only two dollars. These magnificent riches came to an end in 1989 when my beloved country was driven into civil war. I lived ten of my seventeen years during this horrific civil war using my wit and determination to stay alive. The populace suffered great depravity and large sectors were displaced by fighting throughout the country. The displaced, myself included, were forced to drastic survival measures. The fact that I was a Christian and very street smart allowed me to safely travel from one town to another while avoiding rebel checkpoints and fighting. Trouble, though, was inevitable and the consequences for missteps or faulty judgments were severe and sometimes deadly. This is the story of how I made it.