Radio Workshop

Far from the News of Home (Transcript)

by Michael Morton

NARRATION:

In the Stapleton section of Staten Island, on a block of 99-cent stores and Pentecostal churches, sits a two-story, tan brick building. It is home to the African Center, a place where Liberian refugee children can receive afterschool tutoring, and their parents can learn English.

[bring in center noise under graf]

NARRATION:

Rufus Arkoi started the center four years ago. He emigrated from Liberia in1986, four years before a civil war broke out there. The conflict led to a wave of refugees joining the Liberians already in Stapleton and nearby Park Hill. All of them tried to get news from home, a difficult endeavor.

ACT ARKOI:

It's part of your daily activity here, to think about people back home. Whatever you do, somewhere you have to plug that in.

NARRATION:

The war devastated the country and its people.

ACT ARKOI:

I lost two brothers. I am close to my two brothers and a lot of nephews, nieces. My father took serious sickness from the war. He got sick at a part he couldn't be treated and he had to die from it. I lost my father, two brothers. Hmm.

NARRATION:

Unfortunately, Arkoi's tale of loss is a common one in the Liberian community. Though peace came to Liberia in 1996, it was fleeting. Four years later the fighting started again, this time between the government and a group called Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy. Since then 200,000 people have fled for neigboring countries in West Africa. In Staten Island,

Liberians read a newspaper called the West African News, look at websites and try to call home--if they can reach anyone. They worry about loved ones there, and they are unsure as to what exactly the groups are fighting for and how long the conflict will last. At the First United Church, the Liberians who attend wonder what they can do to bring peace to their country. Reverend Isaac Nyeah-yeah is the head of the congregation.

ACT NYEAYEA:

We don't know who to go to. We don't know if we should go to the U-N. If we go to the U-N now, who are we going to see first. And again, if we had to go to the United States government, who should we go to first--we don't know.

NARRATION:

Back at the African Center, Arkoi has a plan. Tomorrow night, he is holding his own peace conference, so that the community can figure out what is going on in Liberia and what the country's prospects are. Prominent local businessmen and church leaders are invited. They will hear from the players in the conflict--the Liberian government will be represented by its consul general of New York. And someone from the rebel group will attend.

ACT ARKOI:

I want them to air out what their group is thinking. Let 'em talk. What you say, what is your problem, opposition? Government, how would you respond to this problem? What can we have as a compromise? But we need peace. We don't need any more shooting, we need peace.

NARRATION:

Arkoi hopes that the two sides will convey the results of the meeting to their superiors in Liberia. Formal peace talks are suppose to take place this month in Mali, but no date has been set. And in October, a vote for a new president and a national assembly will be held in Liberia. In Staten Island, the community hopes the election will be the start of a new and better chapter in the country's history. Until then they wait, and pray for peace. For Columbia Radio News, I'm Michael Morton.