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Make a real difference...
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to communities across Africa.
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Share skills and knowledge...
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and sponsor children...
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to develop a better future
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...and change lives forever!
When the practise
of slavery was abolished, America looked at the innovation
undertaken by the British in establishing a home for former
slaves in Freetown, Sierra Leone and established the American
Colonization Society with the aim of shipping back freed slaves
to Africa, not to right a wrong, but in fear of how these former
slaves would conduct themselves as free men within American
society. The first crossing was made in 1821 which resulted in
most of the travellers dying after they landed at Sherbro Island
off the west coast of Africa, however a more successful expedition the following year saw the establishment of the settlement
of Christopolis. The name Christopolis was changed after the seventh annual meeting of the
American Colonization Society in March 1824
which reported: "Resolutions were passed ... that the territory and
settlement of the society near cape Mesurado, on the south-west
cost (sic) of Africa, should be called Liberia, and the town
laid out there should be named Monrovia, 'as an acknowledgement
of the important benefits conferred on the settlement by the
present illustrious chief magistrate of the United States'" ~
President Monroe. It remains the only capital city in the world
outside America that is named after an American president.
As Monrovia
developed, it did so with very much an American flavour as its
inhabitants saw themselves as more American that African. This
was reflected in its architecture and indeed its social
structure with the former slaves occupying Monrovia proper
whilst indigenous tribes including the Krus, Bassas and Grebos
and others being consigned to the wider area known as Krutown. Monrovia, whose population today is 1,623,000 (2022)
is located in north-west Liberia on the mouth of the St
Paul River, and was the focus of intensive fighting during the
fourteen year long civil war that saw vast swathes of the city
destroyed and yet more damaged. Its economy was largely
shattered and even now power failures are common place.
Today Monrovia
serves as a working port with sprawling neighbourhoods outside
the city centre itself that are home to mainly poor communities.
If you intend to visit Monrovia take time to go to Providence
Island, the site of the landings of the first freed slaves that
arrived in Liberia. Whilst not laid out as any memorial, it's a
unique glimpse into history as you enter the island through its
iron gates then walk down the spiral steps to the island's lower
level with its blanket of green grass surrounded by blue waters. The video (below) takes you on a tour of Monrovia so you can
explore aspects of the city yourself. It gives a good overall
view of life in Monrovia today. After you've watched this video why not make a virtual landing at Monrovia's main airport then explore Monrovia using our interactive map linked to below.
Monrovia Profile: Volunteer in Liberia
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Monrovia Profile: Monrovia City Map
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Monrovia Profile: Roberts Airport
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Monrovia Profile: Sponsor Children in Liberia
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Monrovia Profile: Liberia Country Profile
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Details of current volunteer work
opportunities in each of the
countries of Africa.
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with our list of organisations,
charities, programs and projects.
Discover all about Africa, its tourist
attractions, history, people, culture
and daily life there.
