My Visit to UDS Liberia (Part 3 of 3)

My Visit to UDS Liberia (Part 3 of 3)

by Rita Apaloo, Board Member & Fundraising Team Chair

The VTC students had completed their training year and were preparing for graduation during my visit. I was able to meet some of the new incoming students on March 25. Many of them were recruited through radio promotions and others were referred by current or former students. In talking with some of the students, I learned that they chose to enroll for several different reasons including learning a vocation, getting credentials for something they have been doing, affordable program, job prospects, self-employment, quality (practical) training, proximity to the center, the sense of family/community at UDS, etc.

UDS 2019-2020 New Students (Photos by Rita Apaloo)

UDS instructors were all present to introduce themselves and share some information about their various courses, in an effort to entice the students to sign up with their respective departments. We had a good laugh listening to their persuasive speeches. The students were excited to get started and appreciated hearing my story of how both my parents benefitted from vocational training and were able to provide a great life for us kids by using their skills to build great careers over the years. I also shared about my UDS Board experience and urged them to work hard and become the kind of success stories that donors and potential donors love to support. We are all partners in this work and play important roles in building and growing the organization.

Unfortunately, the UDS Graduation was postponed past my visit so I wasn’t able to participate as initially planned. I also met with graduating students on March 30 who also appreciated my presence and story. After they took care of the business of fees, payments and other details about the ceremony, I thanked them and bid them good luck in their futures and encouraged them to stay in touch. I asked that they keep us posted on how they’re using their skills and learning and also about their accomplishments and successes.

 Read part 1 (click here) and part 2 (click here) of Rita’s visit to UDS. 

Rita with Elijah Kotee, Catering Graduate

I was honored to meet a couple of amazing students, Elijah Kotee and Gabriel Zargo, who had already found success even before graduation. Elijah completed UDS Catering training. He had a job working at a restaurant and also did independent catering when he wasn’t working for his employer. Elijah was appreciative of his UDS Diploma and said that the diploma was needed to open doors to the kinds of opportunities he would like to pursue. He also completed the Permaculture training program in hopes to someday combine both trainings to prepare sustainable farming food that he grows and provides a healthier option for his catering clients. Elijah has big dreams and more than enough passion to make it all happen. I have no doubt that sooner or later he will pull it off.

Gabriel Zargo, Computer Graduate

Gabriel completed UDS computer training and is an entrepreneur. His business, LifeChore, is an employment incubator that operates in the hospitality and manufacturing industries with the mission to help youth find great jobs. He was recognized during the meeting for having referred a couple of hospitality students from UDS graduating class to a business client. They were interviewed and offered employment at a hotel. He said that his company has helped over 20 youth find short and long term jobs. I was proud to have been a small part of their lives, dreams, and success through UDS. I can’t wait to see what more they accomplish in the future.

UDS 2018-2019 Graduates (Photo by Rita Apaloo)

Indeed, UDS is making dreams come true, one student at a time.

Meet Elijah Kotee, Catering Student

Meet Elijah Kotee, Catering Student

Elijah Kotee, Catering Student

As graduation nears, one of our catering students, Elijah Kotee, landed a job at a local restaurant on the junction of UN Drive & Camp Johnson Road. This is a stepping stone in establishing his catering business.

When talking with Elijah, he had this to say about his experience: “This is why I am telling people about the Uniting Distant Stars Vocational training school system. Thank you for a great job and for the knowledge that I being impacted with!”

You may remember Elijah decorating the cake for our guests from the Sierra Leone Foundation for New Democracy-SLFND during the Permaculture training in January. Look at what he is cooking now. 


You gave Elijah the means to cook some delicious meals (left to right): Barbecue chicken served with fried plantains and tomatoes; Fried chicken and potato salad; and Torbogee, a popular Liberian dish.

Elijah also served as the Catering Class President, and he was interviewed during their final class project. In the video below, he explains the type of cakes he made and his gratitude for this opportunity.

As you can see, your generous giving helps Liberian Youth make a living. If you are in Liberia, please stop by and visit the restaurant where Elijah works. Thank you!

Honoring Mrs. Annie Cooper: Catering Instructor

Honoring Mrs. Annie Cooper: Catering Instructor

On March 25, Mrs. Annie Cooper unexpectedly passed away. Mrs. Cooper helped establish our catering department when we started in February 2017. Her son George was a graduate of the auto mechanics course, and he recruited his Mom to be the catering instructor. As a result, Mrs. Cooper shared her experience and knowledge with her students and helped them feel empowered. Many of her students left without graduating because they started their own micro-businesses. Her students valued gaining the skills needed to succeed more than receiving a diploma; we were impressed by their resolve.

Mrs. Cooper died during the first week of the 2018 term. Her new students and our staff were deeply shocked and saddened by her sudden loss, but we are forever grateful for her service with UDS.

Mrs. Cooper on the left in February 2017

“Education is Better Than Silver & Gold”

“Education is Better Than Silver & Gold”

Enoch Daniel Tarr wrote the song, “Education is Better Than Silver & Gold” for UDS.

One of our computer students, Enoch Daniel Tarr, from 2016 wrote a song to promote Uniting Distant Stars Vocational Training Center. Enoch is 16 years old and wanted to express his gratitude for our programs through music.

Our creative and talented board member, Anna Bertch, created a music video of Enoch’s song with photos of all our courses. Please enjoy listening to this uplifting song that will get you moving with the music.

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