LIFE (Liberian Initiative for Empowerment) Oasis Symposium

Dialogue

“Now the Lord said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will show thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great and thou shall be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee....”Genesis 12

As my ancestors ventured blindly across the seas in the 1800 s to the place they later called the land of liberty, this promise would be their flame.  The wicked oppression of slavery had placed much weight on these souls; this was an opportunity to live with dignity.  The quest to liberate themselves and shine as an independent African nation motivated others to join this uniquely mixed group of men and women.  With the blessing of the Almighty and the diligent craftiness of the natives, Liberia flourished.  Nations prayed to join alliances with this rapidly advancing young nation. 

Prior to the coup d’etat of 1980, Liberia was blessed with continuous immigration from the US, the Caribbean, and other African nations.  Secondary to the violence and instability of the military regimes that followed many of the most capable and affluent Liberians had to flee.  The efflux of our scientists, lawyers, doctors, politicians, businesspeople, has left Liberia with inadequate tools to combat poverty, disease, and ignorance (called the oppositions of progress by President William Richard Tolbert).  Although much of Liberian political and social situation has been destroyed secondary to decades of disorder, we continue to declare hope in the first sovereign Black African nation, as well as staying progressive in thought and deed as we celebrate the first African female president.

The LIFE symposium will be hosted in Monrovia, Liberia, on Jan 3rd, 2008.  It will consist of descendents of the Diaspora partnering with Liberians.  The vision of the LIFE Oasis was inspired by Mperial Health to ignite the movement of African empowerment and self-reliance.  It is sponsored by AAFCD as well as other international and Liberian collaborators interested in the revitalization of African society while enhancing spiritual healing and empowerment. 

We will be thankful for the blessings of health, abilities granted, knowledge enabled, happiness, and peace; while propagating the boomerang for further wealth of thankfulness.  We will provide ample opportunities for members of the Diaspora to collaborate with, liked minded Africans on the continent.   Furthermore, we will evoke from our experiences and educational accolades, with the hope of reprocessing negatively processed situations as opportunities to exude resilience of the spirit granted to us by the Perfect Creator.   We will amplify synergistic relationships while reshaping old paradigms of dependence to manifest self sufficiency, hope, and redemption.  We will be united all in one spirit under God.

 

Goals

• To raise international awareness about Liberian history, culture, present situation, and future potential

• To bridge descendents of the Diaspora to Africa

• To provide the venue for international professionals to assist in a country where many professions are living abroad.

• To expose Liberia as a viable market to western companies

• To address Africa’s cycles of suffering and degradation

 

Objectives

• LIFE Oasis will redefine our culture; establish the etiology of our history; organize the present predicament; and propel a glorious future.

• LIFE Oasis will provide varied opportunities to exchange of ideas, both traditional and nontraditional.

• LIFE Oasis will utilize the expertise and experience of all cultures, amplifying the similarities and opportunities to uplift. 

• LIFE Oasis will bring international awareness to Liberian present situation. 

• LIFE Oasis will fuel hope, celebrate perseverance, and revitalize the birth place of existence, through appreciation of culture and history.

• LIFE Oasis will propagate proponents of harmony, and will charge all attendees to be catalyst of forgiveness, order, love, and hope.

• LIFE Oasis will explore sound economic solutions to Liberian health dilemmas, education hurdles, and the elimination of poverty.

 

LIFE Oasis Symposium- Planning Committee

• Mark Holder, MD- Visionary

• Tanaegh Haddad- Top Perceptual Artist

• Yende Anderson, JD- Lawyer

• Tonie Mai King-International Business

• Baimba Norman- Commercial Lender

• Acacia Strachnan- PharmD

• Vandana Sookdeo- Event Coordinator

• Eddie K. Frempong- Computer Support

 

Proposed Agenda

• Round table discussion comprising of Young Black professional women. (Topics-  HIV/AIDS; Malaria; Liberian literacy; Water sanitation; Transportation, Technology; Employment; Liberian relocation)
• Workshops to display African grant opportunities
• Peace promotional event to promote African unity
• Historical banquet to celebrate Liberian history
• Health fair to promote disease testing, immunizations, health awareness and prevention
• International press coverage for further recruitment and coalitions

 

Contact: Mark Holder, MD , President & C.E.O., Mperial Health P.A., Phone: 786.232.5007, Fax: 305.949.1689 mholder77@hotmail.com.