by heather-cstars | Oct 15, 2018 | Africa, cosmetology, Cosmetology Course, Cosmetology Instructor, education, fundraiser, Liberia, plaiting hair, Thank You, Uniting Distant Stars, vocational training, youth development, Youth Empowerment
Do you remember when Abel Kabba (Plumbing Student) said, “Thank you very much for doing great things that you aren’t even noticing“? It is hard to convey in our newsletters how much you are doing to help young men and women in Liberia receive quality training at our center. You are providing the necessary resources to make this possible. You are buying the practical materials, equipment, and tools to apply what they are learning in their respective courses. You are ensuring these students will graduate next year prepared and ready to start working immediately in their given trade.
Our cosmetology students are an example of how “practice makes perfect.” Each class they find their own clients and apply the many different styles of braids. This is called plaiting hair and is a unique art-form because it can take several hours of weaving their real hair with extensions. These type of hairstyles protect the ends of the hair and decrease tangling, breaking and shedding.
Your investment in our students allows them to perfect their craft. Photos by Roseline Sonday, Instructor
You can see your students are focused and detail-oriented while plaiting their client’s hair. Photos by Roseline Sonday, Instructor
by heather-cstars | Jun 5, 2018 | cosmetology, education, Liberia, Thank You, Uniting Distant Stars, vocational training, youth development, Youth Empowerment
It has been an exciting new year for our cosmetology course. First, Roseline Sonday, Student Coordinator & Cosmetology Teacher’s Assistant, recruited a new instructor, Felton Waydiyee Fouah, because he has a broader set of skills that will benefit our 11 students.
Mr. Fouah assessing the work of a student as she plaits (braids) the hair of her client
Secondly, our team has been working on building a cosmetology learning lab for the students to have their own space. The students have moved in even though the lab is not yet complete. The ultimate goal is to make this look like a salon. Roseline expressed her excitement for this new space: “I am so excited for our new classroom. Felton and I are doing very well with the teaching. The students are so happy with their new classroom, and also they thank us for our hard work.”
Our students working in their new learning lab
Finally, our new instructor created an opportunity for our students to earn money as they apply their skills to clients that he invited to our center.
You helped this student realize her dream!
Your investment with our cosmetology students is preparing them to provide high-quality service in hair care, facials, and manicures/pedicures. This is a helpful service for both men and women.
by heather-cstars | Mar 20, 2018 | Africa, Auto Mechanics, catering, Computer Course, Computer Lab, cosmetology, education, Electricity, entepreneurship, fundraiser, Innovation, Leaders, Liberia, NGO, Plumbing, Scholarships, Skills training, Star Potential, Star Supporter, Stars, Students, tailoring, Teachers, Thank You, Treadle Sewing Machines, Uniting Distant Stars, vocational training, youth development, Youth Empowerment, Youth Leadership
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.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wb_5NsSsR_o[/embedyt]
by heather-cstars | Feb 24, 2018 | Africa, cosmetology, education, Graduation, Liberia, Plumbing, Scholarships, Thank You, Uniting Distant Stars, vocational training, youth development, Youth Empowerment
“Uniting Distant Stars believes in practical experience. Our students are so happy when they can do their practicals daily. They know graduation is nearing and learning everything they need to know before they receive their diploma. Good Luck students, you have UDS blessing already.” by Kelvin Fomba, USD Co-Founder & Director.
Your cosmetology students continue to apply their knowledge like pedicures to volunteers.
Can you believe it has been a year since our students started their vocational training journey? As you have seen throughout the year, our students are showing up to class daily and working hard to polish their skills in the given they field they embarked on. You made this quality learning opportunity possible by being their Classroom Hero and supplying the practical learning materials needed for them to successfully complete their course. You have witnessed their commitment and dedication to changing their lives for the better.
Your plumbing students learn how to install a tub and commode in our learning lab.
by heather-cstars | Jun 25, 2017 | Africa, cosmetology, donate, education, electricity course, Electricity Course, Facebook Fundraiser, fundraiser, Liberia, Plumbing, Shop classes, Skills training, Star Supporter, Students, tailoring, Treadle Sewing Machines, Uniting Distant Stars, youth development, Youth Empowerment
DONATE NOW! GOAL: $7,200 RAISED: $202
Here is YOUR chance to change the world–
Become a Classroom Hero for Liberian Youth Today!
Are you ready to support the aspirations of young Liberians and help them achieve their goals?
Then this is your chance to Become a Classroom Hero for Liberian Youth attending our vocational training classes.
Help us raise $7,200 to purchase the required practical materials for our courses in Catering, Cosmetology, Electricity, Plumbing and Tailoring by:
- Donating online or writing a check to Uniting Distant Stars, 4010 Lawndale LN N, Plymouth, MN 55446
- Start a Facebook Fundraiser on Uniting Distant Stars’ Behalf to encourage others to support our ambitious youth in Liberia.
- Host or create a fundraiser to sponsor a course as follows:
✮ Catering needs $1,000 for baking pans, mixing bowls, cooking pots, etc.
✮ Cosmetology needs $2,000 for flat irons, materials for hair and nails, etc.
✮ Electricity needs $1.500 for tools, meters & testers, and other materials.
✮ Plumbing needs $1,500 for tools, pipes, faucets and other materials.
✮ Tailoring needs $1,200 for scissors, thread, ironing board, machine oil, and other materials.
All
DONATIONS are
tax-deductible and
life changing! Thank you for making a difference in the lives of children & young adults!
by heather-cstars | Mar 27, 2017 | cosmetology, Liberia, manicure, pedicure, plaiting hair, Service Learning, stylist station
We are nearing the end of the second month of classes at our vocational training center. Our students are given ample opportunity to build their skills in their given field. Our instructors provide 80% of the students’ lessons as practical learning. This hands-on training happens in the classroom, out in the field for a contract, or part of community service project. Our goal is to help students gain marketable skills and teach them how to pay-it-forward with their training.
The next course we would like to introduce is Cosmetology. This is a nine-month course that offers young women the chance to learn how to work with hair (washing, cutting and styling), as well as other services like manicures, pedicures, etc. The instructor is Josephine Wabloh, who received her cosmetology certificate in Ghana. One of our students and assistant trainers of the Backpacks for Peace project, Roseline Sonday, is a teacher’s assistant for this course. She knows how to style hair and wants to learn other aspects of this trade.
Our talented team in Liberia built a stylist station for our students to practice working in a salon setting. They have hair to practice plaiting (which is a type of braid) that is draped over sting nailed to a wall. They also have one mannequin head, which is used to practice various types of protective styles. As part of their service learning, they provide free haircuts to children in the community.
The following photos show what our students are learning in this course:
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| Our students learning how to plait hair. |
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| This is the stylist station built by our team of Kelvin Fomba (UDS co-founder) and Daude (carpenter) |
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| These two students are learning to plait hair on this mannequin head. |
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| Our instructor, Josephine Wabloh (blue & white dress) gives each student attention as they learn this trade. |
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| Josephine shows a student how to plait hair while Roseline (white shirt & jeans) watches other students. |
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| Our students practice giving manicures to females enrolled in other courses. |
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| Our students giving free haircuts to children in the community. |
You, our valued Star Supporters, have made this vocational training center possible. Your generous giving inspires our students to pay-it-forward as they learn their desired trade. We Thank You for your continued and heartwarming support of children and youth in Liberia!
