West African Micro-Loans

Helping to remove the road blocks of poverty...

My name is Moses F. Coker; a Liberian born unto the union of Mr. & Mrs. George F. Coker in Foua, Lofa County northern part of Liberia on September 18, 1980 .

 

Life was fine as a child alone with my parents before the war in 1990. My father was a medical practitioner worker at the government hospital. During the war in 1993, my father was brutally killed by a fashion of the many rebels group. Trustingly, the remains of my father were never buried. Because of such massive and brutal killing that was carried on by the rebels, we were forced to seek refuge in the Republic of Guinea .

 

After the election that brought former president Taylor in power in 1997, we returned to Liberia . We met most of our properties destroyed, and was only left with a single four bedroom house. This could not host the entire members of the family so some of us were renting. Hence, during these times of relative peace under Taylors administration, life was also difficult for us as well as every Liberian.

 

Then came the opportunity after my graduation from high school the Government of placed an advertisement in the media for scholarship to study in Russia . Eager for higher education, I seized this opportunity and applied. An aptitude test was administered, and I came out successful. This was like a dream for me because I never any means of getting resources to obtain higher education. So I left for Russia along friends in 2000.

 

While in Russia , I studied water and sewage engineering in 2002 another war broke out in Liberia which destroyed lot of likes properties. This led Taylor into Nigeria . At this time I was studying in Russia . One day while watching television I saw my brother, Tolgbor crying that a rocket wiped out my whole family. This created a serious on me. But nothing to do, I continue my studies.

 

Upon the completion of our studies in 2006, the Government called us back immediate so as to contribute to national development. We arrived in Liberia on August 2006.

 

On the contrary, the Government failed to provide us with basic necessities that we needed for resettlement. More besides, the Government has also failed to provide us with job as been stated in our agreement. Since we came to Liberia we have been making frantic efforts to get ourselves working but to no avail as all our efforts have proved fruitless. Thus, making life unbearable for us; can you imagine been with out a job or doing nothing at all. Because of this sad situation that I am presently facing, I cannot afford to cater to my family. Like in my case as an unemployed and many other Liberians are living on less than a dollar per day.

 

The more frustrating part about life with me now is the issue of accommodation and basic social facilities I met destroyed the only house we had. I am far from my family. I am living in a make-shift (mat house) with a friend. There is no electricity and pipe borne water in the country. Because of my inability to get my own shelter, I’ve created inconvenience for my friend. Since one year and half I’ve been living with me. I’m very frustrated over life situation, but depend on God’s for wonders.

 

It is spiritually helpful of becoming a member of the church in Liberia . But the physical need of the people is indeed great and the church is unable to cater to our every body’s need.

 

Like my situation so unbearable as is been explained, thus is also similar to many other Liberian as the living condition is tedious. The trauma of the war is existing as there is nothing good doing that can take over the trauma.

 

Now like any orderly Liberian are in desperate need. Such an undertaking that you are dreaming of will help to alleviate the poverty striking people of my country.

 

I wish you all the best in your endeavor to seeing WAM come to light.

 

Moses F. Coker

 

Moses Coker

This is Moses with a small friend.  The boys hands were cut off during the war.

Moses in front of the LDS church house in Monrovia.