Case studies: former SOS child Monrovia, Liberia

There are many routes leading to success, but this one needed to be shared! Immerse yourself into the life of a former SOS youth from Liberia.

Dreams, Challenges, Perseverance and Success

Mayango is a former SOS child who left SOS Children's Village Monrovia and his home country Liberia in 1997 to go to Holland, only to come back nine years later on holidays. He is now 35, employed in a Dutch company, has a family, and would like to give similar opportunities to his "SOS brothers and sisters". Here is the story of one life, a story of determination and success...

Education, the key to success
Prior to my coming to SOS Children Monrovia in 1982, life was such of a challenge for me. I was very young and did not know what the future would bring. However, I knew that education was the only way of becoming successful in life and this has always pushed me to take my studies seriously. Never a second would I lose focus or be influenced by the wrong peer groups.

Being admitted to SOS Children Monrovia was a relief and an opportunity to make my dreams come true. I took it as privilege but not a right, knowing that there were many kids of my age out there that were not given such a chance. Such an opportunity only comes once in one's life, and all one can do is to make the best out of it.

"A paradise on earth"
SOS Children Monrovia was for me a paradise on earth. Words are inadequate to express how grateful and appreciative I am and will always be towards SOS Children.

There was never a day I was sent home from school because of not being able to pay my tuition. I always had regular meals. My SOS mother, the late Martha, raised us like any other good parent would do. She taught us the morals of life, how to face challenges, be decent and respectful and how to interact with people.

In the village, my relationships with my brothers and sisters were always cordial. There were of course times when we had misunderstandings, but those were parts and parcels of life. One could even say I was a role model for most of them, as I always was one of the best of my class and a good football player.

Looking to the future

An open door on the world
Since childhood, I had the dream to continue my studies abroad. After I completed my high school studies and obtained an Associate in Arts degree in accounting in Monrovia, the director of SOS Children Liberia gave me the opportunity to apply for the American university of my choice, to pursue my studies. I was admitted to a university in Boston, but unfortunately for me, the civil war stroke and travelling was impossible.

Though disappointed, I would never lose focus. I began searching for alternative ways to leave Liberia and concentrated on Europe this time. In 1997, I finally managed to travel to Holland, after struggling to convince the management of SOS Children Liberia to let me go to a country the native language of which I did not even know.

Life in my host country
Things were of course difficult to cope with in the beginning. Not only did I have to face the language barrier, but I also had problems finding my way round.

After four years, I did receive a permanent resident permit. A year later, I was eligible to apply for naturalisation. This was a difficult decision to make. However, taking into consideration the situation in my homeland back then, I decided to opt for Dutch citizenship. Being in Holland, acquiring higher education was top on my agenda. I am now proud to hold an MBA with a major in Finance and be fluent in Dutch. My Dutch is even better than my English now!

I have been blessed with a beautiful fiancée from Sierra Leone and have two children. I work as a chief accountant in a Dutch company and continue to play soccer to keep me in shape!

Plans to help my "SOS brothers and sisters" and my country
As I went back to Liberia in January 2006, I of course visited SOS Children's Village Monrovia. I was very much impressed with the level of care and attention given to my brothers and sisters at the village.

I took this opportunity to have some fruitful discussions with the director of SOS Children Liberia, telling him I was prepared and willing to contribute my share to SOS Children Liberia. In fact, I am looking forward to opening my own business in Holland, to help some of my "SOS brothers and sisters" come and join me here, and offer them better opportunities. I really hope to realise this dream soon.

While in Liberia, I also saw the need of contributing towards the development of my country, after 14 years of civil conflicts. I invested in some transport business there and will soon be engaging in real estate projects. Even though my life is now in Holland, I will always remember my roots!

SOS Children has been working in Liberia since 1981 when the first SOS Children's Village was opened at Matadi, a district of Monrovia. A second village at Juah Town was opened in 2000. Nearly 200 children have a loving home at these unique SOS Children's Villages while a further 15,000 are supported in the community.

You can provide a future for children like Mayango by sponsoring a child in Liberia.