November 20, 2003

By Joni Goheen

MONROVIA, Liberia - Driving a short 15 miles southeast of Monrovia to the Bishop Judith Craig Children's Village, one has the sense of entering a world far from the ravages of war. But it is because of the war that the village exists.

Because of the African "it takes a village" philosophy, orphanages are a new phenomenon in Liberia.

"Africans believe that the child is the property of the whole community, so even if a child loses a parent, the community takes care," said the Rev. Samuel Quire Jr., village director. "Over time, the civil carnage has eroded most of these values, and so we've had to institutionalize the care-giving of children."

In operation since 2000, the village is primarily supported by annual conferences in Detroit, West Ohio, New Jersey and Liberia. It is the first church-supported home for orphans, although the Liberia Annual Conference has previously sponsored boarding schools. The village is named for retired Bishop Judith Craig, who led the denomination's Michigan and Ohio West areas.

Children from all over Liberia are eligible for care by the village. However, during the war, it was difficult for the Liberia Annual Conference to identify children outside Monrovia.

While the village may institutionalize care giving, Quire goes out of his way to ensure that it does not feel that way. He is well liked by all the children, and he is surrounded by tiny hands that tug on his arms and legs. The grounds of the orphanage are well kept and spacious, with plenty of room for growth. Each of the eight cottages is staffed with housemothers and fathers, affectionately called "mudders" and "fodders."

The village currently cares for 84 children, but the facilities can accommodate up to 225.

"After the crisis in Liberia, there is a need to get more kids, but we can't stretch out hands enough for additional kids because we don't have the funds," said Quire. "We manage with what we have."

At present, the village runs an elementary school in vacant cottages. When children finished sixth grade, they are sent to high schools in the community. The church pays tuition through 12th grade.

Special attention is given to girls, since the culture generally provides them with fewer education opportunities. "We don't want them to be just people who have the place in the kitchen," Quire said. "We want these ladies to be educated so that they will be able to contribute to society ... (and) we want them to know their rights." The village also teaches the girls crocheting and typing.

There is a sense of serenity around the village. Children are well behaved and enjoy playing games, combing each other's hair and reading quietly, but these children have seen what no child should ever experience.

"We try to give these kids hope," Quire said. "They came traumatized from the war. Some of them witnessed the killing of their parents, and we try to counsel them."

The village is working on a policy that will enable these children to be adopted. In the meantime, they live in a place where they have a sense of security in an insecure world.

United Methodist News Service
Joni Goheen is a freelance writer living in Morrison, Colo.