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Living in Liberia for 15 months has been an adventure beyond my wildest dreams. Why, because absolutely everything is different from life as I knew it in America. Let me explain.

In America I had electricity 24/7. Here in Ganta, Liberia, electricity is produced by private generators. For me at the place where I live (Rehab) that means M-W-F from 10 A.M. to Noon and every night from 6:30 P.M. to 10 P.M.

In America I have running water all the time, while at the Rehab water runs only one hour a day. Water is pumped by hand from a nearby well, so I bathe by pouring water over myself and flush the toilet by pouring buckets of water into the bowl.

In America I had a car to drive. In Liberia most everyone walks because they cannot afford automobiles. Some do drive motorbikes. I choose to walk, beg rides, or take a motorbike taxi. People are seen walking everywhere as they have little choice.

In Liberia most of the roads are dirt that turns to mud in rainy season with huge holes in them. Sometimes the roads are impossible to navigate due to the huge ruts and craters. The bridges sometimes fall into the creek, e.g. the Sanniquellie road last year. After fourteen years of civil war, during which time the entire road infrastructure was neglected, there is now some hope and progress on the roads. For the last three years, since Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was elected as president-she is the first African woman president, the Liberian government is working on repairing the roads and bridges but the pace is slow because there is so much to do.

In America I had plenty to eat, too much really. In Liberia people eat one meal a day, as that is all they can afford. It usually consists of rice and fish soup. Most of the food is from a local production; for dessert we have fruit of which there are many kinds, e.g. pineapple, mangoes, oranges. People there are suffering due to poverty.

In America, I had a good job and most everyone is working; whereas in Liberia there is 85% unemployment. Think of the Great Depression in America and you have a sense of what it is like here. Government workers, teachers, shop owners, rubber tree workers, NGO's like USAID, UNICEF, and UN peacekeeping forces have jobs. Mostly everyone else does what little they can to make enough money to feed their families and pay for school fees. Small marketing, farming, and selling water or kerosene are some ways that they make money, even though people consider that the situation has improved in the last three years.

In the health area, in Liberia many people there are sick with Leprosy, Tuberculosis, HIV, and other diseases. Many of them (especially in the country side) first seek out country medicine (herbs mainly). Others, because of lack of money, see a doctor when the sickness is at an advanced state and so not much can be done. Poverty, once again adds to their problems.

In Liberia education is important and valuable as in America. Still illiteracy levels are very high in the interior. Those in the cities have more chances to get an education. Educating the children is one of the most important things that we missionaries can do here. Due to overcrowded classrooms, no books, and teachers working at several schools at once, the public schools are not able to give a high quality education. A private school is preferable but that costs money. Unfortunately the people have none leftover after they buy food. This is where we Americans can make a difference.

In Liberia we can educate a child for an average of $80 a year. If we want to help to feed them, as well, it costs a little bit more. I have given up my good life in America to minister to the people of Liberia I ask that you help me to do this. Whatever you can do to help will be highly appreciated and make a difference for not only the child, but their entire family. Once a person is educated they have a better chance of getting a job and supporting their family plus helping to encourage others to get an education as well. May the Lord richly bless you and your family.

Ann Seliskar, MSW SMA Lay Missionary in Liberia