Several decades ago, the Liberian Mandingo community suffered self-orchestrated isolation from the main stream Liberian political life as a result of fears
borne by our forefathers that western education, politics, and the likes would put the Liberian Mandingo community at the risk of being religiously indoctrinated
and culturally brainwashed. Hence, our forefathers basically focused on nomadic trade and Islamic studies as the way of life, thereby neglecting participation
in national affairs as a function of citizenship. Liberian Mandingo children were denied the opportunity to attain western style education in the name of religious
and cultural preservations. Those who were fortunate to have escaped in their quest for western education were sometimes ostracized by their families and
the Liberian Mandingo Community as a whole.
Though the Liberian Mandingo community today seems to have overcome such challenges of societal exclusivity, lack of mainstream community involvement,
and political dormancy, it still faces a far more daunting task of overcoming the dearth of western education in among its people. As a result, the Liberian
Mandingo community continues to experience a prolonged tendency of unprecedented and inhumane acts of marginalization and prejudices against its people
by other “civilized” Liberian tribes. Yes! While, others may argue that the Liberian Mandingo Community has seen great transformations over the years, one
will still maintain that the challenge of embracing western education and investing in the education of our youth is far more monumental than those of yester-
years.
In order to remain focus and successful, the Liberian Mandingo community both at home and in the Diasporas must now embark on an aggressive and
massive campaign, parallel to none and never seen or heard of before, to educate its youth and proffer them all the necessary ingredients of professional
leadership development. As a pathway to the land of success, in such a world of modern, technological and developmental advancement, Liberian
Mandingoes must strive to succeed by engaging and competing with minds and talents from different walks of life.
Against this backdrop, let me proudly recognize one of the reliable future custodians of the Liberian Mandingo pride. An emerging leader whose academic
prowess has gained national recognition in the U.S., Ms. Makagbe Konneh Bility is one of promising future women leaders of the Liberian Mandingo
community. Born to the blessed union of Mr. Karfala Bility (KB) and Muaya Konneh, Ms. Bility is one of the meritorious students at the Paint Brunch High
School in Maryland. Despite the post war challenges of Liberia as well as varying economic hardships her family as well as many Liberian Mandingo face in
this day and age, Ms. Bility has relentlessly braced herself, applying her time and talents wisely to excel beyond and above the call of duty. Quite recently,
“The National Society of High School Scholars” honored Ms. Makagbe Konneh Bility for her superior academic achievements. As a result of her excellent
academic performance and exemplary leadership roles amongst her peers, Ms. Bility has been selected – among thousands of students – to represent the
State of Maryland as a national scholar at the National Young Leaders Conference (NYLC) slated for fall 2010 in Washington, D.C.
Student Makagbe Konneh Bility is among hundreds of potential Mandingo youths who have shown exemplary leadership and academic qualities over the
years. These accomplished individuals deserve our warmest recognition and fullest support as a community. Such worthy recognition will definitely help
harness a spirit of renewed hope and enthusiasm for the many other Liberian Mandingo youths who are on the verge of falling behind as they strive to
actualize their dreams. It is often said that “the youths of today are the future leaders of tomorrow”. This famous saying seems to be quite true only if the
youths of today are given the necessary supports and opportunities to enrich their potentials as they take on future leadership roles. As a community, we
need to harness this mantle and create a very conducive environment that will mold our future generations into effective change agents, while at the same
time providing an attainable medium of nourishing them with the adequate attributes of ethical and reliable leadership.
According to Ms. Bility, her parents remain her primary inspiration to work hard beyond and above all expectations and successfully overcome life’s daunting
challenges. “My mother never finished high school because of hard time. My dad’s parents really never had much, but with his determination for school, he
struggled to go to school,” Ms. Bility recounts. “I am very grateful to God for giving me such wonderful parents; they have never hesitated sacrificing their
career goals and life desires just to secure a brighter and better future for my brother and me. Thank you mom and dad,” Ms. Bility emotionally acclaims.
“I believe with hard work and dedication”, Ms. Bility accentuates, “I can get scholarship to college.” In college, Ms. Bility plans to focus on science and math as
a gateway to medical school. Ultimately, she hopes to become a pediatrician – a journey which requires twelve long years of concentrated academic studies
and leadership development.
borne by our forefathers that western education, politics, and the likes would put the Liberian Mandingo community at the risk of being religiously indoctrinated
and culturally brainwashed. Hence, our forefathers basically focused on nomadic trade and Islamic studies as the way of life, thereby neglecting participation
in national affairs as a function of citizenship. Liberian Mandingo children were denied the opportunity to attain western style education in the name of religious
and cultural preservations. Those who were fortunate to have escaped in their quest for western education were sometimes ostracized by their families and
the Liberian Mandingo Community as a whole.
Though the Liberian Mandingo community today seems to have overcome such challenges of societal exclusivity, lack of mainstream community involvement,
and political dormancy, it still faces a far more daunting task of overcoming the dearth of western education in among its people. As a result, the Liberian
Mandingo community continues to experience a prolonged tendency of unprecedented and inhumane acts of marginalization and prejudices against its people
by other “civilized” Liberian tribes. Yes! While, others may argue that the Liberian Mandingo Community has seen great transformations over the years, one
will still maintain that the challenge of embracing western education and investing in the education of our youth is far more monumental than those of yester-
years.
In order to remain focus and successful, the Liberian Mandingo community both at home and in the Diasporas must now embark on an aggressive and
massive campaign, parallel to none and never seen or heard of before, to educate its youth and proffer them all the necessary ingredients of professional
leadership development. As a pathway to the land of success, in such a world of modern, technological and developmental advancement, Liberian
Mandingoes must strive to succeed by engaging and competing with minds and talents from different walks of life.
Against this backdrop, let me proudly recognize one of the reliable future custodians of the Liberian Mandingo pride. An emerging leader whose academic
prowess has gained national recognition in the U.S., Ms. Makagbe Konneh Bility is one of promising future women leaders of the Liberian Mandingo
community. Born to the blessed union of Mr. Karfala Bility (KB) and Muaya Konneh, Ms. Bility is one of the meritorious students at the Paint Brunch High
School in Maryland. Despite the post war challenges of Liberia as well as varying economic hardships her family as well as many Liberian Mandingo face in
this day and age, Ms. Bility has relentlessly braced herself, applying her time and talents wisely to excel beyond and above the call of duty. Quite recently,
“The National Society of High School Scholars” honored Ms. Makagbe Konneh Bility for her superior academic achievements. As a result of her excellent
academic performance and exemplary leadership roles amongst her peers, Ms. Bility has been selected – among thousands of students – to represent the
State of Maryland as a national scholar at the National Young Leaders Conference (NYLC) slated for fall 2010 in Washington, D.C.
Student Makagbe Konneh Bility is among hundreds of potential Mandingo youths who have shown exemplary leadership and academic qualities over the
years. These accomplished individuals deserve our warmest recognition and fullest support as a community. Such worthy recognition will definitely help
harness a spirit of renewed hope and enthusiasm for the many other Liberian Mandingo youths who are on the verge of falling behind as they strive to
actualize their dreams. It is often said that “the youths of today are the future leaders of tomorrow”. This famous saying seems to be quite true only if the
youths of today are given the necessary supports and opportunities to enrich their potentials as they take on future leadership roles. As a community, we
need to harness this mantle and create a very conducive environment that will mold our future generations into effective change agents, while at the same
time providing an attainable medium of nourishing them with the adequate attributes of ethical and reliable leadership.
According to Ms. Bility, her parents remain her primary inspiration to work hard beyond and above all expectations and successfully overcome life’s daunting
challenges. “My mother never finished high school because of hard time. My dad’s parents really never had much, but with his determination for school, he
struggled to go to school,” Ms. Bility recounts. “I am very grateful to God for giving me such wonderful parents; they have never hesitated sacrificing their
career goals and life desires just to secure a brighter and better future for my brother and me. Thank you mom and dad,” Ms. Bility emotionally acclaims.
“I believe with hard work and dedication”, Ms. Bility accentuates, “I can get scholarship to college.” In college, Ms. Bility plans to focus on science and math as
a gateway to medical school. Ultimately, she hopes to become a pediatrician – a journey which requires twelve long years of concentrated academic studies
and leadership development.
| The Bility Family Association Inc. A Family on The Horizon 145 POWELL LANE UPPER DARBY, PA. 19082 |
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