On the shores of the Atlantic Ocean

 

Map of Liberia

Table of Contents

• History of Liberia
• Firestone Company
• Liberia and the United States
• One-Year Stay in Liberia 2010-11
• Memories of Liberia

History of Liberia:

Liberia is a West African country located on the edge of the second-largest ocean in the world the Atlantic Ocean. The country is home to a lush rainforest containing a rich diversity of flora and fauna. Its neighboring countries include Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Ivory Coast. The population is about 5 million. The area is about 111,000 square kilometers. Columbus discovered America by going through the Atlantic Ocean. The "American Colonization Society" was established in 1916 in connection with the abolition of black slavery in America. As a result of their efforts, the African country of Liberia finally came into existence. Future US Presidents James Monroe and Andrew Jackson were also included in this society. This was 50 years before the abolition of slavery in America.

In 1821, the society made an agreement with local leaders in West Africa and acquired a strip of land. The following year, the society started sending freed people here. Most of them were families. In 40 years, about 12 thousand black Americans arrived in this new neo-population. One hundred years earlier from Pakistan, Liberia became independent in 1847.

 

Firestone Company 

Firestone Company:

Near the capital of Liberia is the Firestone Natural Rubber Company established in 1926. It is part of the American company Bridgestone. It has more than 6,000 employees, and it covers about 200 square miles. It is the world's largest single natural rubber operation. Harvey Samuel Firestone, the owner of the Firestone Company, was a friend of ThomasEdison and Henry Ford. Harvey Samuel Firestone also wrote a book (Men and Rubber: The Story of Business), in which he writes about travel in Liberia in the 1920s and the Firestone Company. The company is doing great service in healthcare and education in Liberia.

 

Monrovia

 

Liberia and the United States:

During the 20th century, Liberia played a role in the US World War II effort, with African rubber traveling from Liberian ports to US factories. As the Cold War heated up, US military aircraft were granted 24-hour-a-day landing rights at the airport in the capital city of Monrovia. From Liberia, the United States called the Voice of America programs and broadcast radio communications to its embassies around the continent. That is why Liberians call the Americans Big Brother. The United States recognized Liberia in 1862. The flag of Liberia is also modeled after the flag of the United States, the Voice of America (VOA) was also the main office of the United Nations Mission in Monrovia. Liberia's administrative structure is similar to that of the United States. Like the United States and Burma, Liberia does not use the International System of Measurement (SI). Monrovia is the capital and is named after the fifth US president, James Monroe.  The currency is the Liberian dollar. Petrol pumps are called gas stations like in the US.

George Weah, the current president of Liberia, was the first non-European to win the Ballon d'Or in 1995. His 18-year football career ended in 2003. After that, he entered politics. He is a former player of football clubs Chelsea, Manchester City and AC Milan.

 

One-Year Stay in Liberia 2010-11:

 

There was a direct flight of 18 hours from Pakistan. One gets tired even sitting on the plane. On the way, there was a 2-hour stop in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan. On the way back, we stopped in Tripoli, Libya. Liberia time is the same as UK time. This also had to be taken into account when calling in Pakistan. Due to its location on the equator, the weather is almost the same all year round. Liberia is a founding member of the League of Nations and the United Nations (UN). The second largest number of ships in the world are registered in Liberia. Because of the relaxed laws, the Flag of Convenience is used by Liberia. There are a lot of rainforests. And the country is green while traveling by helicopter, it looks like a carpet.

During 2010 and 2011, we had the opportunity to visit this country for a year during the United Nations mission. The experience of working in an international environment was memorable. There were Eid, Diwali, and Christmas celebrations.

Kendeja is a beautiful resort on the beach near the capital. We had breakfast with friends at a Lebanese restaurant once which was very tasty. Signs of civil war devastation are visible everywhere.  At Camp Clara the ruins of the damaged hotel are visible. The wooden furniture is very nice with pictures of animals painted on it. Western Union was a reliable means of sending money.

There were friendly matches and meals. Evening outings were the norm and volleyball was played. A ship called the Katrina brought food supplies to Harper. And all the people looked forward to it. Once we had lunch at the small port of Harper and enjoyed it. Cassava and coconuts are common. Motorcycles are used as taxis. 

 

Canoe at river

Memories of Liberia:

Special wooden boats The canoe is used. There are also small hills and swampy areas. The Cavalla River is the longest. Mangrove trees are common. Our headquarters was in Harper, Maryland. There is also a university in Harper known as Tubman University. There were wooden poles. Houses in small towns and villages are mostly huts. Bananas are also cooked and eaten. Rituals and culture in Liberia are quite different. Monrovia Tumanburg, Gbarnga, Buchanan, Zwedro, Barclayville, Plebo, Harper, and Greenville are major cities.

Harper

Important cities with counties are given in the table below:-

City	County
Tumanburg	Bomi
Zwedro	Grand Gedeh
Harper	Maryland
Voinjama	Lofa

Children walk to and from schools all day. Soccer is played enthusiastically and everywhere. Helicopters and small UN planes fly to major cities. Flights are frequent. Roberts International Airport (RIA) is the largest airport. Iron, diamonds, black gold, Rubber plants, etc are common. Farmhouses are present. Beautiful beaches along the coast provide tourist attractions. However, the tourist industry is negligible. Electricity is mostly through generators. There is no central power plant. Small ships run from Harper to Monrovia. There is also a Lighthouse at Harper. There are also old offices of the Freemasons and several churches. A small town like Harper has offices of many international organizations. The United Nations Mission in Liberia lasted until 2018 and rendered valuable services in peacekeeping which was appreciated at the international level.

Harper Port view

Although it's very rare to go again and see those areas again with people from many countries but still the memories are fresh. Life goes on.

Read More: Men and Rubber: The Story of Business