PHOTO: “CDC Sayquay” standing in front of her refurbished home
Liberian activist Martin K. N. Kollie has turned over a refurbished home to an elderly citizen (CDC Sayquay) and has donateed L$20,000.00 small business grant plus 6 bags of rice to Madam Elizabeth Norneh, a fanatic of the ruling CDC, who is said to have been neglected.
The move is to “inspiring hope, Impact humanity,” the former University of Liberia student leader says.
“This has nothing to do with politics. Out of compassion, patriotism, and love for humanity, I chose to inspire someone and add dignity to her life. I do not have much. I am not rich. But my pastoral parents taught me to always share my little and identify with those in need (The Poor).
Recently, I had a small contract. I wrote a concept paper for an organization and edited a book. Like always, I was inspired to help someone. I didn’t like Ma Elizabeth Norneh’s living environment. It was really appalling. So I chose to do something about it. I chose to find solution.”
Ma Norneh has been and remains a loyal partisan of CDC since 2004. What has driven and inspired me about her is her steadfast loyalty and consistency. In 2017, she knelt on her knees to kiss Pres. George M. Weah’s photo on a bus. Ma Elizabeth Norneh commonly known as CDC Sayquay is 82 years old now.
She was born 1938 and migrated from Greenville, Sinoe County, to Monrovia around 1944. She is Kru by tribe. Like millions across Liberia, Ma Norneh has not known a better home and a dignified life. We haven’t physically met before, but I have spoken to her 3 times via mobile phone and she cannot stop expressing her gratitude for this little assistance.
She and her husband said they want to see me in person now to bless me. My response to them has always been, “We will meet one day. At your age, you deserve far better than what I have done. As God blesses me, I will even do more for you and many others who are in need. What I have done is just a token ahead of your birthday on August 15. I do admire your loyalty.”
Though Ma Norneh is a diehard partisan of CDC but I chose to look beyond politics and partisanship. Anytime I have an opportunity to help, I see everyone as a human being (God’s Creation) and a Liberian. I only think about and look at Liberia. I do not see politics, parties, tribes, race, or religion. I see humanity through dignity. This is what drives me often.
As an exiled Liberian activist, I know what it means to live in a slum community. I know what it means to live in shantytowns and hustle for ends meet. I have been there. I have been through it and I know what it takes. It is a life between poverty and misery. It is a life below degradation. It is a choiceless, powerless, and hopeless life.
As an activist, it is not just enough for me to only talk and write about what our people endure in those slum communities on a daily basis. It is not enough for me to only advocate for them and defend their rights. It is not enough for me to only criticize government and public officials for failing to protect public interest. It is not enough for me to only expose public graft (corruption) and blow whistle against bad governance. It is my responsibility to find concrete solution as well.
It really does not cost much to improve our people’s lives. But corruption often deprives them of human dignity and self-pride. While I continue to honestly criticize in pursuit of a New Liberia for all, I should always, at all times, form a part of “The Solution Equation”. So today, I am very humbled to inspire hope and add value to humanity. There is no better life for me than this (reaching out to help those in need). Therefore, I am donating or turning over these items to Ma Norneh:
- A refurbished home (e.g. both inside and outside including plastering, ceiling around, widows, painting, etc.).
- A small business grant of L$20,000. I Hope Ma Elizabeth Norneh alias CDC Sayquay can do small business in her yard to generate income for herself. At least this will allow her not to go at CDC HQ every day in search of survival. Our people deserve a life beyond begging and poverty.
- Six (6) bags of rice. She said this will help to address her food need for like 6 months.
I wish to always use my pen to inspire and impact society far more than this. I encourage Ma Norneh to remain loyal or faithful to her party (CDC), conscience, and belief. It is her right. And I do admire her consistency.
I appreciate my hard working and honest team in Liberia. My sincere gratitude to Varfee J. M. Dukuly and Francis Mario Boayue for implementing this project in 2 weeks.
Glory be to God. Liberia shall rise one day, and soon too. Prosperity, equality, and justice for every Liberian shall overflow. This is what I ultimately seek as an activist and a former student leader – Martin K. N. Kollie writes from exil.