Laytopoe
is one of four Amani Girls Club leaders and a senior student at ABCU of Yekepa,
Liberia. During Liberia’s 15-year civil war, she was unable to attend school.
But that hasn’t stopped this gregarious woman in her 40’s from pursuing a
university degree---or from dreaming of an even higher education---“I am
praying for a masters program. I want to get my masters if God is willing.”
She
and her husband have six children. The oldest is 24, and “the little baby is
almost 6!” Laytopoe closes her eyes and smiles, as if offering thanks as she
breathes, “And they are alllll going to school.”
Her
partial-scholarship from the Amani Girl’s Club helps her to pay for her school,
allowing her husband’s income to support schooling for their children.
One
might describe Laytopoe as ambitious and driven, not the traditional
description a Liberian woman. “Double-double!” She exclaims as she conveys the
nature of her schedule. She begins to list her activities at church (“Counselor,
choir member, Women’s Department Secretary, teacher---”) and has to be reminded
that she also serves on ABCU’s praise and worship choir and is a full-time
university student.
In
addition to the above duties and accomplishments, she feels compelled to work
with young girls---enabling them for the future.
“My
responsibility at the club is to teach the girls to know their own values. For
them, we need to establish something. So they will have a new vision.”
When
asked about these values, Laytopoe has a list that is just as impressive as her
personal life.
“The
number one thing we teach them is to know the value of education. Our goal is
to train the girls to be useful in society. People should be able to know that
this child can be helpful to the community.”
She
thinks for a moment, and then adds, “And they should be able to know God in
their own lives, and to serve God. ”
She
also hopes the program will create a ripple effect in the community by enabling
the girls to be role models for their friends---“even when they are just
singing songs or plaiting (braiding) hair.”
Laytopoe
also has a responsibility to mothers in the community. She keeps tabs on
behavior changes mothers notice in their girls. She also encourages mothers to
be flexible with their children, taking time to explain the goals of the club
so they will allow the girls to skip a few chores once a week to attend.
Laytopoe
is a mother of four daughters herself, and she shares that, “before, we never
had anyone to tell us our children are valued.” The Amani Girls Club is
striving to change that view.
With
such a noble goal come challenges. Women in Liberia are traditionally encouraged
to keep their heads down. As Laytopoe teaches confidence to the girls, she has
also had to empower herself. “For me, when I came up, I never used to talk a
lot, so it is something I have had to put myself into.”
Lessons
on confidence allow girls to excel in school and make smart choices in the
midst of the pressures like pregnancy and prostitution that engulf many girls before
they reach 6th grade.
“It
is very important for us to have the Amani Girls Club here in Liberia. Girls
these days, they can just abandon their schooling---they get themselves
involved in life.”
If
Liberians continue to advance the education of girls and women, Laytopoe is
hopeful for her country’s prospects.
“I
have a very big dream for Liberia!” She remarks. “I want to see our country be
bright in the future. This is the reason I want to help educate others.”
