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Never the Same Again: Life, Service, and Friendship in Liberia
"Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country." President John F. Kennedy's inaugural statement inspired Americans to serve their country for the cause of peace by living and working in the developing world. His vision created the Peace Corps in 1961, and the first volunteers arrived in Liberia in 1962. Sixty years later, in 2022, we celebrate this anniversary with our anthology, Never the Same Life, Service, and Friendship in Liberia.
Storytelling has a long tradition throughout Africa. Elders have used stories to share their wisdom and knowledge through the generations, passing along their history, traditions, and lessons. Our anthology continues this tradition through stories about relationships that provide a cross-cultural awareness we can learn from and share with others. We offer a window into everyday village work in the classroom or the clinic; living among the people; relationships that were formed and lost; and the trials and tribulations of civil unrest and epidemics. About the Writers Our writers belong to Friends of Liberia (FOL), a nonprofit organization. We are former Peace Corps Volunteers, Liberians, missionaries, medical relief workers, and contractors. Our service to Liberia mattered. Our footsteps left footprints - a human connection that has endured through a lifetime of service. This connection continues through FOL's mission to support Liberia by funding educational, social, economic, and humanitarian programs. Visit FOL.org.
Why Now? Now, more than ever, is the time to share our stories. Countries, communities, and even families are divided over our varying beliefs and values, whether it be religion, race, politics, pandemics, or climate change. How can we better understand and accept one another within these divisions? Many of the personal accounts in this anthology describe a culture that is unfamiliar to those who have not lived in Liberia. Our book provides a glimpse into the Liberian way of life, showing first hand, how living among its people fosters understanding and acceptance. The many people of Liberia who have survived the hardships of poverty, high morbidity and mortality, civil wars, and Ebola have something vitally important to show us about determination, resilience, survival, and hope. The relationships we developed with the people of Liberia instilled valuable lessons...ones that changed us forever.
How to Use this Book This collection of stories and poems is rich with takeaways to inform and inspire you about the power of human connection. You will learn more about the vital importance of being a global citizen and how you can help through FOL. We also encourage you to use this book as teaching tools in your schools, faith-based communities, nonprofit or government agencies, publications, and social media. In the appendix you will find resources that help place these stories into context. You will also find information on a Speaker's Match Program where former Peace Corps Volunteers who served in Liberia are available to share their experiences with you and your audience.
Storytelling has a long tradition throughout Africa. Elders have used stories to share their wisdom and knowledge through the generations, passing along their history, traditions, and lessons. Our anthology continues this tradition through stories about relationships that provide a cross-cultural awareness we can learn from and share with others. We offer a window into everyday village work in the classroom or the clinic; living among the people; relationships that were formed and lost; and the trials and tribulations of civil unrest and epidemics. About the Writers Our writers belong to Friends of Liberia (FOL), a nonprofit organization. We are former Peace Corps Volunteers, Liberians, missionaries, medical relief workers, and contractors. Our service to Liberia mattered. Our footsteps left footprints - a human connection that has endured through a lifetime of service. This connection continues through FOL's mission to support Liberia by funding educational, social, economic, and humanitarian programs. Visit FOL.org.
Why Now? Now, more than ever, is the time to share our stories. Countries, communities, and even families are divided over our varying beliefs and values, whether it be religion, race, politics, pandemics, or climate change. How can we better understand and accept one another within these divisions? Many of the personal accounts in this anthology describe a culture that is unfamiliar to those who have not lived in Liberia. Our book provides a glimpse into the Liberian way of life, showing first hand, how living among its people fosters understanding and acceptance. The many people of Liberia who have survived the hardships of poverty, high morbidity and mortality, civil wars, and Ebola have something vitally important to show us about determination, resilience, survival, and hope. The relationships we developed with the people of Liberia instilled valuable lessons...ones that changed us forever.
How to Use this Book This collection of stories and poems is rich with takeaways to inform and inspire you about the power of human connection. You will learn more about the vital importance of being a global citizen and how you can help through FOL. We also encourage you to use this book as teaching tools in your schools, faith-based communities, nonprofit or government agencies, publications, and social media. In the appendix you will find resources that help place these stories into context. You will also find information on a Speaker's Match Program where former Peace Corps Volunteers who served in Liberia are available to share their experiences with you and your audience.
254 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 14, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 4, 2022
Kudos to editors Susan E. Greisen, Susan Corbett and Karen E. Lange for putting together a wonderful collection of true stories about Liberia, Peace Corps and friendship. The book was published in honor of the 60th anniversary of Peace Corps in Liberia. All of the authors are members of Friends of Liberia (FOL), a nonprofit originally formed by returned Peace Corps volunteers who served in that country.
There are 63 stories in all, some are poems, though the majority are prose short stories. The book includes a map of Liberia, so you can see where each author lived and worked. There is also an abridged timeline which is useful for relating an individual story to national events taking place in Liberia at the time. The stories are divided into three groups representing Building a Foundation (The Early Years), Turbulent Times, and Rebuilding Hope (The Latter Years). Sadly, like many Peace Corps countries, Liberia has experienced repeated civil unrest and disease outbreaks including Ebola and COVID-19.
Storytelling has a long tradition throughout Africa. Elders have used stories to share their wisdom and knowledge through the generations, passing along their history, traditions and lessons. This anthology continues that tradition through stories about relationships that illuminate a cross-cultural awareness we can learn from and share with others.
I would love to see an anthology like this one created for every country which has hosted Peace Corps volunteers. I’ve yet to meet a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer who does not have at least one or two good stories to tell about their host country and folks they worked with and lived with. Count me in if you want to do a story collection for El Salvador or Costa Rica!
The book also includes a glossary of terms, a list of resources, and discussion questions. Therefore it is perfect for reading in a school or book club environment. Proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to FOL for the benefit of humanitarian programs in Liberia.
There are 63 stories in all, some are poems, though the majority are prose short stories. The book includes a map of Liberia, so you can see where each author lived and worked. There is also an abridged timeline which is useful for relating an individual story to national events taking place in Liberia at the time. The stories are divided into three groups representing Building a Foundation (The Early Years), Turbulent Times, and Rebuilding Hope (The Latter Years). Sadly, like many Peace Corps countries, Liberia has experienced repeated civil unrest and disease outbreaks including Ebola and COVID-19.
Storytelling has a long tradition throughout Africa. Elders have used stories to share their wisdom and knowledge through the generations, passing along their history, traditions and lessons. This anthology continues that tradition through stories about relationships that illuminate a cross-cultural awareness we can learn from and share with others.
I would love to see an anthology like this one created for every country which has hosted Peace Corps volunteers. I’ve yet to meet a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer who does not have at least one or two good stories to tell about their host country and folks they worked with and lived with. Count me in if you want to do a story collection for El Salvador or Costa Rica!
The book also includes a glossary of terms, a list of resources, and discussion questions. Therefore it is perfect for reading in a school or book club environment. Proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to FOL for the benefit of humanitarian programs in Liberia.
October 15, 2022
I was privileged to attend a book launch for Never The Same Again hosted by by our local independent store, Village Books. The meeting was moderated by my friend, and an editor, Susan Greisen, who also wrote In Search of Pink Flamingos. Never The Same Again is a thought provoking, personal anthology of sixty-three true, powerful stories and poems written by those who lived and worked in Liberia over a period of sixty years.
If anyone has wondered about the influence and impact of volunteering in a remote country such as Liberia, a poignant moment occurred at the book launch, when a person at the back of the room stood up, and recounted the positive, life changing effect the Peace Corps educators had on her life as a young Liberian. She had traveled from south of here to share her heartfelt appreciation and thankfulness for their love and care, and brought tears to many attending!
I also appreciated the format of this book: the Foreword, Introduction, Map, Liberia's Abridged Timeline and Reference Materials for those of us not familiar with Liberia's history and culture.
If anyone has wondered about the influence and impact of volunteering in a remote country such as Liberia, a poignant moment occurred at the book launch, when a person at the back of the room stood up, and recounted the positive, life changing effect the Peace Corps educators had on her life as a young Liberian. She had traveled from south of here to share her heartfelt appreciation and thankfulness for their love and care, and brought tears to many attending!
I also appreciated the format of this book: the Foreword, Introduction, Map, Liberia's Abridged Timeline and Reference Materials for those of us not familiar with Liberia's history and culture.
July 26, 2023
🇱🇷 Happy Independence Day Liberia!!! #1847 ♥️
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My Review: God Bless those who volunteered for the Peace Corps! I loved this compilation of stories and poems from those who served in Liberia over the years. From medical, nutrition, and educator personnel, these people experienced a different culture than their own, bonded with people they probably didn’t think they would and made such a difference for the people of Mama Liberia. Her people deserve good things given their history, especially the strife they endured during the two civil wars and illnesses like Ebola. I enjoyed reading about the Peace Corps members’ experiences and what they did when they returned to their home countries. I read this book this year, 2023, in honor of Liberia’s Independence Day. As a child of Liberian parents, I loved reading about all the cultural traditions that have been part of my life since I was born. I could relate to some things in the book, as I have been to Liberia twice in my lifetime. It was a very compelling read!
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My Review: God Bless those who volunteered for the Peace Corps! I loved this compilation of stories and poems from those who served in Liberia over the years. From medical, nutrition, and educator personnel, these people experienced a different culture than their own, bonded with people they probably didn’t think they would and made such a difference for the people of Mama Liberia. Her people deserve good things given their history, especially the strife they endured during the two civil wars and illnesses like Ebola. I enjoyed reading about the Peace Corps members’ experiences and what they did when they returned to their home countries. I read this book this year, 2023, in honor of Liberia’s Independence Day. As a child of Liberian parents, I loved reading about all the cultural traditions that have been part of my life since I was born. I could relate to some things in the book, as I have been to Liberia twice in my lifetime. It was a very compelling read!
September 4, 2022
This is a beautiful book. The title is so fitting. For those of us who served in the Peace Corps, it is so true--our lives were "never the same again!" This is a beautiful collection of stories and poems written by former Peace Corps, missionaries, and Liberians. I will confess--I am an author of one fo the essays in the book--an honor to be included. I was privileged to read my story aloud at the recent book launch in Washington D.C. at the end of July at Busboys and Poets, along with nine other authors. The proceeds of the book sales go to support the work of the non-profit Friends of Liberia, Inc. in Liberia. Their work in family literacy and health is helping so many there. Please consider purchasing the book.
October 7, 2022
What an amazing collection of stories about daily life in Liberia! Very hard to put this book down – each story (or poem) is a gem. If you’ve never been to Liberia (or to West Africa), reading this book will give you an intimate and colorful glimpse into what life there is all about – so full of challenges yet lots of fun and laughter. Highly recommended!
October 8, 2022
This is a wonderful collection of stories by folks who came to love Liberia during the course of their working lives there. There is so much here that will resonate with anyone who has lived and worked abroad in a culture very different from their own. Readers will be moved to both tears and laughter and will find themselves craving more when they turn the last page. Highly recommended!
October 8, 2022
A wonderful anthology by fifty authors who are in some way connected to the small
West African country of Liberia. The collection relates the fascinating accounts of experiences of people who have been touched by the people of Liberia in some way. "Heart felt accounts of adversity and acceptance, illness and healing, escape from war, and improbable reunion".
A very worthwhile read.
West African country of Liberia. The collection relates the fascinating accounts of experiences of people who have been touched by the people of Liberia in some way. "Heart felt accounts of adversity and acceptance, illness and healing, escape from war, and improbable reunion".
A very worthwhile read.
December 5, 2023
Engaging reading of compelling accounts of life and livelihoods in far away Liberia. Ample human interest and necessary humor to counter the stark realities. Travel remains the great educator. Thank you to all returned Peace Corps volunteers through the decades who helped to keep our Liberia and the U.S. connected.
October 6, 2022
I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Africa so this was just a special treasure for me. Thanks for the stories.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews