Refugees Returning Home
Donation protected
Everything I am today, I owe to my two earthly angels, Jacob and Betsy Kilikpo. As I look back upon my life from where they took me from, I cannot help but be overtaken with love and gratitude.
I often share my life story with people and how far I have come but I usually just surpass the details with the phrase, "it’s complicated". My story goes a long way back, a time when I was not even conscious enough to tell it. In this essay, I will share with you a little bit about my history, which began in the land of Africa.
I was born in Liberia of West Africa on March 7, 1992. My family and I immigrated to the United States when I was eight years old in efforts of fleeing the Liberian Civil War. Because of the war, Liberia was no longer a safe place to live. My father was killed during the war and my mother was displaced. My great aunt, whom I refer to as grandmother today, took me under her wings and brought me to the United States along with her and her husband. It is with them I have been living for the last fifteen years of my life. These two amazing people raised me up to be who I am today and for them I am truly grateful.
The war in Liberia began in 1989 and ended in 2003, but the devastating effects are still being endured by millions today. Although I was in the midst of war during the early years of my life, I was not fully aware of it. I did not understand much of what was going on, but my family did. We relocated to America in 2001. When the year came, all of a sudden I saw myself on a plane journeying to a new land that I did not know anything about. My only idea of America at that time was that it was the place everyone wanted to go.
In the early years of living in America, I never really questioned why we were here and where the rest of my family was. At the time, I just thought we were on a really long visit or something of the sort. Later on, when I was about eleven or twelve years old, my grandparents sat me down to tell me about my past and my parents and the story behind my residency in these great United States. They made me to understand that the reason we left our home was because of the Civil War and also that my father had been killed in the war and my mother was not found after.
My father died in 1991, so I never had the chance to set eyes on him, but my grandparents often tell me stories of what a wonderful man he was. My memories of my mother are a bit hazy but I do remember her being a very caring and loving lady. For a long time I asked God, but why; why didn’t He just leave me there with them to die? Over the years my healing has taken its course and today I can reflect on my story with understanding and appreciation.
Some years ago, my mother and I regained communication and one of my goals after graduating from college in May 2015 was to go back home to visit my mother. Unfortunately, I have not been able to fulfill this goal yet due to financial reasons. My plan is to work and save up money from now until February of next year so that I can be able to go and visit my Dear mother who is much older now. I have been separated from her for the past 15 years of my life and it has really left a big hole in my heart.
However, these two Dear people in the photograph above have helped tremendously to make that hole a little smaller. Just as we traveled to this great land together many years ago, I wish to bring them with me on my journey back home. They too have a lot of family there that they have not seen over many years. As they become older, their health is failing. While we are still together, I want to gave them a chance to see their loved ones again as well.
I cannot afford a trip for both them and myself. This is why I am on this site hoping to raise $5,000 to help them come on this journey with me. It would be my utmost joy to go visit home after 16 long years and to bring with me the two people who valued me at a time when I had nothing to offer. Please help in anyway you can, whether through prayers or financial donation. THIS PAGE SHOULD REALLY READ, "GO FUND THEM"!!! So please do.
I often share my life story with people and how far I have come but I usually just surpass the details with the phrase, "it’s complicated". My story goes a long way back, a time when I was not even conscious enough to tell it. In this essay, I will share with you a little bit about my history, which began in the land of Africa.
I was born in Liberia of West Africa on March 7, 1992. My family and I immigrated to the United States when I was eight years old in efforts of fleeing the Liberian Civil War. Because of the war, Liberia was no longer a safe place to live. My father was killed during the war and my mother was displaced. My great aunt, whom I refer to as grandmother today, took me under her wings and brought me to the United States along with her and her husband. It is with them I have been living for the last fifteen years of my life. These two amazing people raised me up to be who I am today and for them I am truly grateful.
The war in Liberia began in 1989 and ended in 2003, but the devastating effects are still being endured by millions today. Although I was in the midst of war during the early years of my life, I was not fully aware of it. I did not understand much of what was going on, but my family did. We relocated to America in 2001. When the year came, all of a sudden I saw myself on a plane journeying to a new land that I did not know anything about. My only idea of America at that time was that it was the place everyone wanted to go.
In the early years of living in America, I never really questioned why we were here and where the rest of my family was. At the time, I just thought we were on a really long visit or something of the sort. Later on, when I was about eleven or twelve years old, my grandparents sat me down to tell me about my past and my parents and the story behind my residency in these great United States. They made me to understand that the reason we left our home was because of the Civil War and also that my father had been killed in the war and my mother was not found after.
My father died in 1991, so I never had the chance to set eyes on him, but my grandparents often tell me stories of what a wonderful man he was. My memories of my mother are a bit hazy but I do remember her being a very caring and loving lady. For a long time I asked God, but why; why didn’t He just leave me there with them to die? Over the years my healing has taken its course and today I can reflect on my story with understanding and appreciation.
Some years ago, my mother and I regained communication and one of my goals after graduating from college in May 2015 was to go back home to visit my mother. Unfortunately, I have not been able to fulfill this goal yet due to financial reasons. My plan is to work and save up money from now until February of next year so that I can be able to go and visit my Dear mother who is much older now. I have been separated from her for the past 15 years of my life and it has really left a big hole in my heart.
However, these two Dear people in the photograph above have helped tremendously to make that hole a little smaller. Just as we traveled to this great land together many years ago, I wish to bring them with me on my journey back home. They too have a lot of family there that they have not seen over many years. As they become older, their health is failing. While we are still together, I want to gave them a chance to see their loved ones again as well.
I cannot afford a trip for both them and myself. This is why I am on this site hoping to raise $5,000 to help them come on this journey with me. It would be my utmost joy to go visit home after 16 long years and to bring with me the two people who valued me at a time when I had nothing to offer. Please help in anyway you can, whether through prayers or financial donation. THIS PAGE SHOULD REALLY READ, "GO FUND THEM"!!! So please do.
Organizer
Grace Kilikpo
Organizer
Macungie, PA
