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Massa: YES Alumna Extraordinaire

Massa Yes Alumna Extraordinaire 1

By Massolian B.M. Fahnbulleh, YES 2011-2012, Liberia, hosted by AFS in Anchorage, AK

Hello, my name is Massa. I am a YES alumna from Liberia, and I am so grateful for the YES program. This program has empowered me to contribute to my community and country. Since coming home, I have been involved with many community initiatives and projects, like volunteering at orphanages and homes for the disabled.

With the YES Alumni Association in Liberia, I have helped with community clean-ups, donated health materials to centers, and volunteered at the U.S. Embassy for their "Arts and Crafts” exhibition in October, 2015. We have conducted workshops for high school students, at risk youths, and community leaders on topics like hygiene and sanitation, volunteerism, and climate change. The workshop we implemented in my county, Grand Cape Mount County, encouraged young people ages 13-25 to make decisions that will positively impact their future. I am excited to continue helping my community by working with two other YES alumni, Marklyn Fortune and Fefe Sampson, on a grant we were just awarded from the U.S. State Department. With the help of the grant, we will promote environmental education to local families and plant tress.

Massa Yes Alumna Extraordinaire 2

One of the most exciting things that I have gotten to do as a YES alumna was meet the First Lady, Michelle Obama, when she came to Liberia in June 2016. She was so inspiring, motivating and encouraging. We were so happy to receive her because she proved that she cares about us females in Liberia, just as she does for others around the world. I liked the fact that she came with the purpose of hearing the stories of young girls in Liberia, and the challenges we face in obtaining education. She told us to keep on trying until we finally succeed in what we are aiming for. She, along with Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, made us realize that we are important to society and that we can become great women like them with determination.

In May 2016, I graduated from cosmetology school, so I am now having fun with my new career as a cosmetologist (beautician). However, I will take a break in October to go to Washington D.C. because Mrs. Obama invited me to go for one week to visit the White House and watch the documentary of her visit to Liberia. While I am there, we will also visit the Liberian Embassy and attend workshops. I must confess that I am really excited to go and am looking forward to learning lots of new things (and of course having lots of fun)!!


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