By Emmanuel Godfrey (YES 2015-2016, Liberia, hosted by AFS in Cumberland Maine). 

My name is Emmanuel Geekor Godfrey and I am the founder of the Workshop for Effective English Teaching and Speaking (WEETAS). I am an alumnus of the YES program (2015-2016) who was placed by AFS in Cumberland, Maine. I am also an alumnus of the 2016 Workshop for Youth Leaders in English Teaching – WYLET.

I am so grateful to have established the Workshop for Effective English Teaching and Speaking because of the tremendous impact it has on communities. I am also so excited to serve as a source of inspiration for many young people. My project, the WEETAS, is actually changing the perception of young ones in Liberia. The workshop focuses on developing students and young people educationally. It also instills in participants the desire to give back to their community. Today, many participants of the WEETAS are contributing greatly to their community in many ways. 

I would like to share a story about Mustapha Kromah, an alumnus of the WEETAS 2017 who has gone an extra mile with his volunteer efforts. Mustapha participated in the 2017 WEETAS. During the workshop, Mustapha put an enormous amount of effort and focus into learning ways to extend his knowledge and generosity to those in need. He said: “At first, I did not know how important it is to volunteer until my participation in the WEETAS workshop. The workshop ended leaving me inspired and causing me to step outside of my comfort zone. Now, I am picturing myself going back to the community and helping others using the skills I have learned.”

Certainly, what Mustapha has done lately, shows his ambition and willingness to help others. Using his own energy and skills, Mustapha, along with other WEETAS alumni were able to raise funds to help inspire talented students at the Vision Kids elementary school. He therefore used the funds gathered to purchase and donate school supplies (notebooks, pens and pencils) to students who did well in their classes. He said: “These materials are not many, but they mean a lot to the kids. I am confident that, because of this act of service, the upcoming marking periods will be very competitive with every kid wanting to get the highest average in his class.”

The WEETAS is actually succeeding beyond expectation and growing rapidly. I am so excited to inspire Mustapha and others to give back to their communities. I want to encourage all (YES Alumni or not) to continue to give positively to the communities because what may seem little to you, might be a source to someone’s inspiration.