Diompillor America - News around the Kissi Community

Ambassador Joe Boakai, Coordinator of the President’s visit to Foya District

Hon. Saa Philip Joe, Chairman of Foya District Development Council

Mr. F. Sakela Nyumalin, Vice Chairman, FDDC
Mr. Jacob S. Sandikie, General Secretary, FDDC
Rev. Joseph S. Menjor, General Chairman, Liberia Pentecostal Missions
Hon. Maxwell Saa-poe
The designated drivers
Hon. Joseph Gbollie, Chairman, Makona River Union
Hon. Gabriel McCarthy, Vice Chairman, Makona River Union
Ms. Estella Pittman, Women Activist Representative

Mrs. Helena Korfeh Boandolo, Women Activate Representative
Mr. Eugene Kparkar, University Students Representative
Kissi Governor Tamba Kettor
Kissi Governor Fallah Peter
Madam Mama Ndormah, Zoes’ Leadership Representative
Hon. Alhaji Tamba Yonda, Ministry of Internal Affairs
Mr. Kendima Charyoe, President of Diompillor America, Inc., among others.

March 31& April 1, 2005

We left Monrovia on the both dates for Foyah. For me, it was a trip to the unknown destiny, especially leaving Monrovia in the morning hours (2 AM). I began to count my blessings as we traveled on the Monrovia, Kakata, and Gbarnga Highway, the same highway I once had a serious motor accident in my bid to visit Foyah in 1999 that almost took my life away. I began to pray very hard every moment our vehicle hit the rough spot of the road. I saw many areas in Margibi and Bong Counties in a very good condition with electricity just like before while others were demolished and burnt down. We finally reached Gbarnga by 5 AM, after going through many UNMIL Checkpoints, controlled by arm soldiers from different countries of the world. They interrogated us with bunch of questions and pointing the flashlights in our faces as if we were in another country or suspects of some criminal acts. In all what we went through, Hon. Saa Philip Joe played a leadership role and because of his present position in government, we’re not intimidated in any way or form. We had breakfast in a local shop in Gbarnga for about 45 minutes and finally headed for what used to be referred to by the rebels as no man’s land, Lofa County. Actually, the motor road was well conditioned by the UNMIL Soldiers and our trip from Gbarbga to Voinjama was very smooth and comfortable than what I expected.

However, there is a huge difference among Bong, Margibi, and Lofa Counties in that, all the outstanding places like Cuttington University-College, Phebe Hospital, CARI, BWI, and others are all like before with lights and what have you. But my God! Lofa County was truly a no man’s land. As soon you crossed Lofa River, the first place I looked for was LTI, which is burnt down and standing in high elephant grass to roof level. Right there, I began to imagine Foyah District, my beloved home land. All the towns and villages on the road are burnt down and the few people that have returned are walking around in shock, poverty, hunger, and in total hopelessness. We went through one check point and arrived in Zorzor. I saw very few houses but with good number of returnees. I asked for the condition of ZRTTI (Zorzor Rural Teacher Training Institute), but was told like this; No more ZRTTI. I couldn’t even recognize the spot that once held huge buildings that housed Educational Specialists of our country. I said to myself, what a shame? What kind of destruction is this? What a senseless act of vandalism by these heartless individuals? I was in total shock and dismay. We finally got to Voinjama, where I saw many citizens with some hope in their faces. I saw people selling and buying in a general market and others dancing around the city because of Chairman Bryant’s visit in the area. We spent an hour and half in Voinjama but I was anxiously waiting on Hon. Saa Philip Joe to say; let’s leave for Foyah.

Now, Foyah District here we come. We left Voinjama for Foyah at about 1:30 PM. We went down the hill from the parking station and the road began to appear totally impassible. The vehicle began to hesitate to drive and finding no drivable path whatsoever. My heart began to pump faster and faster with fear of an accident and death like what I experienced before. Look! Frankly speaking, I cannot find any appropriate adjectives to describe the condition of the Voinjama, Kolahun, and Foyah path called motor road. All I can say is that, no human being should get in a vehicle to drive from Voinjama to Foyah; you will be asking for your death. However, because of the love of our people and God’s love upon us, we sacrificed our lives and continued forcing those vehicles to drive on and on. It took us from 1:30 PM to about 11Pm to get to Foyah City. We dug, pushed, and walked behind our vehicles for miles and miles. But in all of that, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was with us. I could see Pastor Menjor praying every difficult move we made on the road. But I must tell you, Hon. Saa Philip Joe is a very good and braved driver. I couldn’t believe my eyes some of the places he went through with his new Grand Cherokee Jeep. During our trip, we traveled in a convoy to assist any vehicle that was disabled in the mud condition of the road. We encountered several flat-tires but thank God we made it to Foyah finally and safely.

We were greeted on arrival in Foyah by our loving people citizens under the current hard working team headed by Commissioner of Foyah District, Hon. William Kimba, Acting Paramount Chief Momo Taylor, Clan chiefs, and citizens, who expressed happiness for our safe arrival to visit and identify with them as their sons, daughters, brothers, and sisters. They were also happy for the visit to Foyah by Chairman Bryant of the Interim Leadership of Liberia of which we served as an advanced team. We all began to adjust to the condition we met our people in. The big challenge was the sleeping places. We told them that, wherever they sleep, we’re ready to sleep there as well and they shouldn’t worry for any special treatments. I must admit that, the short stay of our people in Foyah District has made an extreme difference in all aspects. They cleaned the city and repaired many houses. However, I was extremely afraid of snakes to craw into the houses that are currently under cleaning and repairing, but thank God I didn’t see or hear of one.

April 2, 2005

On April 2, 2005, we met with the cross session of chiefs, Foya District Development Council Leadership, student representatives, teachers, marketers, and the citizens in general to review the preparatory aspect of the visit and to come up with a position statement to be presented to the Chairman of the Interim Leadership of Liberia, Mr. Gudye Bryant. During the meeting, I was recognized to speak on behalf of Diompillor America, Inc. In my speech, I reiterated the expression of our total condolences to the citizens for the senseless killings of our people during the civil war by different warring factions. I pledged our commitment to participate in the relief, repatriation, and reconstruction efforts launched by the Leadership of Foya District Development Council and the entire citizens of the district. The position statement committee was mandated to review both what our elders from Monrovia as well as the Commissioner and his chiefs in Foyah District put together and come up with one final draft. We were taken on the tour to view the destruction of Foya City, other nearby towns, and the building site where the returnees will be held temporarily when they return to the district until they can reunite with their family members. This process was to continue when Chairman Bryant and party join us on Monday, April 4 and 6, 2005. The meeting was adjourned.

April 3, 2005

On April 3, 2005, we participated in another meeting to finalize the preparation for Chairman Bryant and party in the City of Foyah. We also witnessed the arrival of our Kissi Leaders from Koindu, Buedu, Kalihun, and Kenema as well as from several towns from Guinea. They brought their musicians and other traditional groups to support the People of Foyah District during the Liberian Leader’s visit. Indeed, there was a huge sense of unity and love amongst our Kissi People of Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone pouring down like a blessing upon hundreds of our people. Truly speaking, I felt the spirit of Diompillor in their midst and thanks be to God.

April 4, 2005

The Liberian Leader and party got in Foya City about 2:45pm from Kolahun after many hours as the result of the bad road condition. He was met on arrival by Commissioner William Kimba, Paramount Chief Momo Taylor, Clan Chiefs, officials of government from Foyah District, the delegation from Monrovia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and the citizens of Foyah District in general. The people were numbered over 3,000. Chairman Bryant was surprised to see so many people in Foyah City and expressed happiness over the repatriation efforts by the United Nations and the people themselves. A short prayer service was held at the Episcopal Church in Foyah, followed by a tour that led us to visit Hon. Chief Tamba Taylor’s new burial site in Shelloe Town, housing project under construction for the temporal housing of the returnees, Intofawor Farmers Cooperative Society, LOIC Compound, among others. The Chairman was again escorted to the compound of Hon. and Mrs. Joseph N. Boakai, the official lodging place for the Chairman and party. During his resting time, Foyah District issues were discussed with Chairman Bryant and other officials of government traveling with him, including His Excellency, Ambassador Patrick Foyah, Sierra Leonean Ambassador to Liberia, (A Kissi Man), ministers, directors, and Leaders of Foyah District with Mr. Bryant and party.

April 5, 2005

The Commissioner, chiefs, Zoes, Representatives from different Kissi Communities, Churches, students/teachers, and the entire citizenry met with Chairman Bryant and party at the Foyah District General Market Compound. There were traditional dance performances as well as speeches made to express happiness for his visit to Foyah. The citizens also presented him with gifts and gowned him with a beautiful country-cloth gown. He was named as “Saysay” for being the first Head of State of Liberia to spend a night in the Kissi Chiefdom/Foyah District. The Commissioner of Foya District, Hon. William Kimba took the podium and thanked Chairman Bryant for his timely visit to the district. He presented the position-statement on behalf of the Citizens of Foyah District to the Liberian Leader and Party which talked about the overall repatriation, reconstruction, and security efforts of his citizens. In his presentation, some of the key issues that were raised were:

A. That the government should do all in its power through the UN to immediately deploy Peace Keeping Soldiers and Police Officers in Foyah District to protect the citizens who are returning overwhelmingly day after day.

B. That the road leading from Voinjama to Foyah be reconditioned to allow our people to return home and register for the forth coming general elections. The road condition has posted a direct treat for our people to boycott the election on the ground that government has abandoned and considered Foyah District as not part of the Liberia and the Peace Process of Liberia.

C. That Health Facility be improved for the overwhelmingly returnees in the district. He also called on the government to renovate the schools in the district for our children to begin their long denied educational process. This was strongly echoed by the teachers and students in the audience.

D. That government should send none governmental organizations (NGOs) and other economic opportunity groups to Foyah District that will empower the citizens to engage into developmental projects to rebuild their lives and the district in general, among other requests. He challenged the government to do her part and his citizens will do the rest to make maximum use of that opportunity and develop their district. In my view and the opinion of almost all the citizens, Commissioner Kimba was very eloquent and decisive in his presentation.

NOW, CHAIRMAN BRYANT TOOK THE PODIUM:

The Chairman of the NTGL, Mr. Bryant, thanked the Commissioner, chiefs, elders, Zoes, marketers, teachers, pastors, and the citizens in general for welcoming him to their beautiful and highly populated Foyah District. Chairman Bryant mentioned that he was totally surprised to see how Foyah District Citizens have returned and cleaned up their city in just a very short time. He also expressed his interest in investing in the future of Foyah and asked other government officials to do the same in the New Liberia that will help develop the People of Foyah District. He discussed many issues for Foyah District including the followings:

Pledged to provide all resources to rebury Hon. Tambah Taylor in his home town, Shelloe Town.

Officially commissioned Hon. William Kimba as Commissioner of Foyah District with a letter of appointment from his Executive Mansion Office.

Directed the members of the Legislators present to prepare a bill that will be presented in the both houses to create Foyah District as a Statutory District. Interestingly, such bill was already written by

Hon. Joseph Fayiah Gbollie and read once on the floor of the House of Representatives and was waiting the second and final readings.

Instructed the Minister of Health and Social Welfares to begin the construction of 30 bedroom Hospital for the people of Foyah District

Instructed the Police Director, RL, to assign Police Officers in Foyah City to protect the citizens that are returning on the daily basis.

He promised to telephone the Head of the UN Mission in Liberia to deploy Peace-Keeping Soldiers to F) Foyah to work alongside with the Local Police to protect the citizens. The deployment of the UNMIL Soldiers in Foyah will also help with the conditioning of the road that is highly requested by the citizens, among other things.


On the overall, the visit was very successful and the citizens were satisfied with what they heard. All the ministers of government pledged to work with the People of Foyah District, the official ceremony was concluded.

ANOTHER TOWNHALL MEETING:

The chiefs and elders expressed some concerns over the following issues and wanted some clarifications and we decided to convene another town hall meeting to conclude from where we left during the first and second meetings: The issues of discussions were:

The future of the New Foyah District Leaders

The current fight over the Senatorial Seat for Lofa County by the sons of Foyah District.

The items that were sent by one of their sons, Mr. Daniel Solee, through the efforts of the Liberia Project based in the United States that never made it to Foyah District..

The rebuilding of Foyah City by streets and construction of houses, among others.

Those who’re seeking the leadership role for the district and the county were:

Hon. Philip Saa Tali, as Senator for Lofa County

Hon. Saa Philip Joe, as Senator for Lofa County

Hon. Joseph F. Gbollie, as Senator for Lofa County

Mr. Francis Sakela Nyumalin, as Senator for Lofa County

Hon. Gabriel F. McCarthy, as Representative for Foyah District

Eugene Kpakar, as Representative for Foyah District

They were asked to express why each of them felt was the right candidate for the position intended. After their few minute’s speeches, we resolved that, the chiefs, elders, and the citizens be given one month to come up with an advisory approach to the candidates to avoid the in-house political fight amongst them.

The citizens wanted clarification on the items they heard one of their sons, Mr. Daniel Solee sent to them but never made it to Foyah. Hon. Tali was called upon to comment on the items since, in fact, they goods (medications) were sent in his care. In response, Hon. Philip Tali publicly informed the citizens that, he received NO Medications from Mr. Solee (Liberia Project) for the people of Foyah. I was called upon to say something regarding Hon.Tali lamented since the goods came from the United States. I told them that, the medications were sent for the People of Foyah District by Liberia Project, headed by Mr. Daniel Solee and not Diompillor. However, Mr. Solee contacted me as Board Chairman at the time, since our President, Mr. John Josiah, was in Liberia for Diompillor to underwrite the cost of transporting the medications (7 boxes) to Foyah in an amount of $300.00 (three hundred dollars) and the money should be sent to Hon. Tali who’ll coordinate the shipment. I told them we did send the amount to Hon. Tali and he confirmed receipt of the money. Why the medications didn’t reach, Diompillor doesn’t know at this point. Right away, the citizens were becoming noisy and angry with Hon. Tali for not releasing to them what their son sent. I was able to again calm them down and promised that, when I get back to the US, Diompillor will contact Mr. Solee, Coordinator of the Liberia Project on the issue.

The citizens resolved that rebuilding Foyah City will be guided by the methodology of a city layout. They asked for a Surveyor from the Ministry of Lands and Mines to re-layout Foyah City to avoid individuals building randomly. They also expressed that anyone selling land to anybody in Foyah City should contact the city authority before closing the deal.

The issue of the Paramount Chief was also visited. And after few minutes of discussion, it was resolved that a special election will be held in the future by the citizens at the rightful time for the Paramount Chief Position. Meanwhile, Mr. Momo Taylor is the Action Paramount Chief until such time comes. The meeting was adjourned in a peaceful manner. A heavy rain came down accompanied by strong wing, but we’re in the Foyah Pentecostal Church, everyone was safe.

April 6, 2005: Departure for Monrovia:

The Monrovia Delegation decided to travel through Sierra Leone into Monrovia because of the road condition between Foyah and Voinjama. This was another golden opportunity for me to visit the Border Town of Mendecorma. Mendecorma is the Customs Collection Point for the Government of Liberia between Liberia and Sierra Leone/Koindu. We met some of our people like Mr. Daniel Bundor and Ms. Martha Howard as Custom Officers. We finally crossed and reached Koindu, which is in a rebuilding stage as well. The Koindu Market is presently reopened and held on Sunday as usual. Our people in those two countries really suffered but thank God, they’re rebuilding their lives. The Sierra Leoneans’ roads are reconditioned by the citizens themselves. Men and women were engaged into hard labor in a hot sun. I don’t know if such labor was on a free basis or the citizens were compensated by the UN Authority in the area. We saw people on those roads from Koindu, Buedu, and Kailahun. In Kailahun, we stopped at their National Police Station were we registered all the vehicles and passengers traveling to Monrovia. Our names and the vehicles plate numbers were recorded and a copy given to us. We got in Kenema around 10:30 PM and Hon. Saa Philip Joe provided hotel rooms for all of us. Again, another leadership role by this gentlemen, I must thank God for him. Actually, we didn’t experience much difficulty like we did between Voinjama and Foyah. We reached Monrovia late on April 7, 2005. And because some of the elders didn’t reach Monrovia the same time we did, we didn’t have another meeting with the citizens as previously planed during our first meeting at 10th street Pentecostal Church.

April 9, 2005: Farewell Program:

The Chairman of Foyah District Development Council, Hon. Saa Philip Joe sponsored a farewell party on behalf of his organization in my honor at his residence on Tubman Blvd. During the program, the Chairman expressed his thanks and appreciation for me taking off time from my busy schedules in America to visit with them. He further expressed that; our both organizations should do everything possible that will cater to helping our suffering masses of Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone in these post wars era.
Those who attended were:

Mr. Omar Taylor, among others. All our leaders made short statement of appreciation to Hon. Joe for the dinner and thanked me for the visit.

In response, I thanked Chairman Joe and members of his leadership team for the invitation that afforded me the opportunity to visit our people in Monrovia, Foyah District, and several towns in Sierra Leone. I used the occasion to also thanked Ambassador and Mrs. Joseph N. Boakai for hosting me on behalf of Foyah District Development Council. I pledged our working relationship with Foyah District Development Council that will enable all of us to engage in programs in the interest of helping our people. I also cautioned the leaders of FDDC to do away with mixing national politics with our developmental efforts. I finally promised them that, upon my return to the United States, my administration will continue to encourage the Membership of Diompillor to support the Relief, Repatriation, and Reconstruction Committee. We all prayed for my safe return to the US, safety of our returnees to Foyah District, National Peace Process, and the unity of all Kissies from Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone.

April 11, 2005

Departure, departure for New York Brooklyn:
Hon. Saa Philip Joe and I departed Monrovia for RIA to board another Bellview Flight that took us to Ivory Coast and Ghana. Chairman Saa Philip was on his way to Abuja, Nigeria to attend a Civil Society Conference. At the Kortoko International Airport while still in the plane, we hugged each other in the spirit of unity for our sister organizations, and said goodbye to each other. It was indeed a sad separation for the two weeks we been together. I departed the plane and headed to check-in at the KLM Counter at the airport for Amsterdam NewYork.

I got home on April 12 and returned to work on the 14, 2005.

I thanked God for His traveling mercies.



OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF DIOMPILLOR AMERICA, INC.

Financial Report of My Recent Trip to Monrovia/Foyah, March 25-April 11, 2005.

I am thankful and appreciative to the few of you that saw the need for us as an organization and Kissi People in the US to honor the invitation accorded us to meet, identify, and sit to discuss with our leaders, elders, and citizens of Foyah District in the post war Liberia. Your support was timely, cause justifiable, and our Kissi People felt proud of our representation. Those of you that did feel the need and importance for our visit/representation in Monrovia and Foyah District, we respected your views. Our disagreements shouldn’t tear us apart and even though you didn’t sponsor our efforts, we still represented you. We brought back many letters for some of you from parents, brothers and your sisters. I was asked by many people for many of you and I felt proud about that. We will continue to work for Diompillor and the objectives for which we’re organized.

CONTRIBUTORS:

Name: Amount Contributed:

Dr. Kamanda, Wm. $300.00
Mr. Johnny, Sahr 250.00
Mr. Saah, Montgomery 225.00
Dr. Camanor, Ivan 200.00
Dr. Tamba, Emmanuel J. 100.00
Mr. Taylor, Gabriel 100.00
Mr. Taylor, Milton T. 100.00
Mr. Tengbeh, Gus 100.00
Mr. Tamba, Tony 100.00
Mr. Jasper Kollie 75.00
Mr. Yafondo, James T. 50.00
Mr. Saah, Milton 50.00
Mr. Solee, Daniel N. 50.00
Total Contributed: $1,700.00

Cost of Tickets:

1. KLM (Round trip ticket, JFK, Accra, JFK) $1,540.00

2. Bellview Airline (Round trip ticket, Accra, Monrovia, Accra) $504.00

Total cost of tickets: $2044.00
Total Amt. Contributed: _ $1700.00
____________
$344.00
3. Travel Medications (shots 7 tablets) + $220.00
4. This amount was underwritten by myself $564.00

Total arrears: $564.



Faithfully submitted:


H. Kendima Charyoe
President of Diompillor