Ward Educational Fund Crystal Awards Special Events Coordinator
Receives High School Diploma

The Graduate with the Chairperson of the Ward Fund, Vickie Ward

Valencia Elana Ward Harris, our Special Events Coordinator received her high school diploma on June 7, 2008 from the George Bush High School in Houston, TX.  Our congratulations go out to Valencia on her achievement.  The graduate will attend the University of Houston this fall where she plans to major in Biology.

The Ward Academy for Girls Receives a Donation of
Science Books for its Library


Ward Academy staff members in Liberia receive donation of books

The Ward Academy of Science and Technology for Girls received four containers of science books and science kits to be used in its library and science lab.  The donation of books made by Patrick Worjloh arrived in Monrovia at the end of May 2008, and we are deeply grateful to Mr. Worjloh for this generous contribution.

The books are modern science books for 4th and 5th graders.  Children who are students of the Ward Academy, as well as students from other schools will have access to these books that will be placed in our school library.  The library will be open to the public after school hours between 3 and 5 pm.

As an elementary school science instructor, Patrick Worjloh is quite aware of the needs of textbooks in Liberian schools.  Mr. Worjloh is also the Public Relations Chairman of the Victor E. Ward Educational Fund USA.

By the Grace of God
Written by Vickie E. Ward 

VIEW PHOTOS FROM THE CHAIRMAN'S VISIT

In April, 2008, I returned to Liberia to finally memorialize my late father and give him (the late Victor E. Ward) a final resting place: a Memorial Wall at the University of Liberia at Fendell.  I had been away from Liberia for 28 unbroken years.  During my one week’s visit, I observed that the phrase “Living by the grace of God” was quite loosely used by Liberians I met, including my own family members.  It seemed like a catch-all phrase that soothed them in all of their troubles brought on by the war.

Bear with me as I recall a few of the many occurrences when they used the phrase:

Driving On Streets of Monrovia with No Street Lights, Stop Signs, or Road Markers
It is no wonder so many Liberians have high levels of stress that keep sending them to their graves way before they reach middle age.  Many motorists move about the City and the outskirts of the City with only the honk of their horn as a safeguard for avoiding accidents.  A driver in a jeep and a Ward Fund beneficiary, Franklin Bundoo, picked us up from the airport and proceeded to the Roberts Field Road headed for downtown.   The driver weaved in and out of traffic as much as he pleased and at times overtook the cars ahead of him by moving into the lane to his left into oncoming traffic even when there was a car only 30 feet away and speeding in our direction.  When I asked him to buckle his seat belt, he stared at me as if I had asked him to put a noose around his neck and pull it.  Buckling one’s seatbelt is seen as a nuisance in Monrovia.  The driver was so reckless, I yelled out a few times to ask him to slow down.  There were at least three times when I thought he would have rear-ended the car in front of us.  When we finally arrived at our destination, I breathed a sigh of relief and promised myself not to ride with this driver again. Once I exited the car and gained my composure, I asked Franklin about the problem of driving without traffic lights in the City.  His respond was, “Aunty Vick, it’s by the grace of God we are living in Liberia.”

Living in Pitch Darkness
As we drove away from Roberts International Airport headed towards downtown Monrovia, it was dark and there were no street lights.  The only lights were the lights from cars or some small businesses on the road side powered up by generators.  About five to ten minutes into our journey, I noticed several people, including young women standing or squatting on the side of the road as if they were waiting for something.  I asked the driver why these people were on the road at this time of night with no lights and in an open area.  There were no bus shelters or buildings that they could run into for protection if someone tried to attack or rob them.  There was only pitch black darkness.  The driver responded, “Boss Lady, they waitin’ for car.”  Well, it is no wonder young girls are often raped and robbed, and sometimes killed” I said.  The last response from the driver was, “They ok. We livin’ here by the grace of God, Boss Lady.”

Living in a Combustible City
On my second day in Monrovia, our hired car was out of gas, and the new driver let me know that we needed to get some gas.  So, we stopped at a gas station to purchase some gas.  While enjoying the air conditioned car, I thought to look out the window to see if the driver was indeed putting in the amount of gas I had asked him to purchase.  I assumed the gas station had gas tanks that showed how many gallons had been poured into the tank and the amount owed. What I saw left me in utter astonishment!  The gas attendant was dipping his right hand into a barrel of fuel and emptying gas into a fluted plastic bottle, which he later used to funnel gas into our car. I asked if there were no other fueling stations in the vicinity.  The driver replied, “We’ve been to three already and they don’t have gas.  But there isn’t anything wrong with this gas.” I told him it wasn’t the gas I was concerned about.  My cousin who was sitting in the back seat with no worries at all told me that I had not seen anything yet to warrant my anxiety.  I said to them, “There is gas everywhere, on his hands, his clothes, and on his shoes.  If someone lit a match for a cigarette passing through the station and dropped it, we could all be torched.”  All three people in the car with me, including the driver laughed and one of them responded, “No, it’s o Aunty, God’s grace keeps us alive here o.”

Only by the Grace of God
I have come to understand the phrase, “By the grace of God” all too well in the last few months.  I believee the song writer, John Newton, who penned the hymn, “Amazing Grace,” must have felt the redemptive grace of God as his slave ship weathered the stormy sea in the 1700’s.  Liberians know the grace of God as a gift given unconditionally, and I consider myself blessed to have been a witness to the pure and divine grace of God at work in Liberia.  After spending 7 days in the country, I came back to the United States and began to read up on God’s grace, and this is what I now know: God’s grace is likened to the room of God’s favor, and faith is the door through which one enters into that room (Rom. 5:1-2).

Liberians are living in Liberia only by the grace of God.  There is no doubt in my mind that but for his grace and mercy, more people in the country would die daily.  As I walked the streets of the marketplace in Liberia, I could see why so many suffer from cholera and severe dysentery.  There are flies everywhere, sitting on food and still water that Liberians purchase off the street to eat and drink; little girls who are school-aged walk the streets in the heat selling candy, bitter balls, and Chicklets for their mothers when they should be in school; and some of them do not wear slippers or shoes, exposing themselves to hook worms.  They are left home alone in homes that are not secured from thieves, thugs, child molesters and rapists roaming the streets. Many children are stunted in growth while others have low blood because they are not getting the nutrients they need.  At best, some homes are secured with a piece of metal that looks like a curtain rod.  And, that is the only thing between the armed robbers and occupants of homes. But the Liberian people go about their business everyday with smiles on their faces, jokes on their tongues, and joy in their lives.  As I watched and observed them, I thought about my comfortable life in the United States and in my mind I compared the lives of some of the people I met with my own.  I thought of the stark differences:  The homes I have lived in in the United States could hold some Liberian homes at least three or four times.  The living rooms in some Liberian homes were smaller in size than my bedroom closet.  I thought about children who are growing up and will soon become teenagers, yet many of them have not experienced a tub bath, a shower, electricity, or clean drinking water.  But, they never get angry, impatient or lose their faith in God. Children in Liberia have been waiting all their lives for relief from deep poverty with none in sight.  In fact, they continue to wait for a time when they can enjoy these things and they stand firm in the knowledge that God’s grace will carry them through.  In the United States, some people become so impatient at a traffic light they spew profanity and at times get out of their cars to start a fight only because they can’t wait for a two-minute traffic light. 

There is so much we can learn from some fellow Liberians living in Liberia. They fully trust in God’s saving kindness, and that is why the phrase falls with ease from their lips.  The Liberians I met during my trip to Liberia trust and rely on God, knowing that each day of their lives is lived in the true GRACE of GOD.  Nothing else was powerful enough to keep them safe through several years of war and that same grace continues to protect them today!

I will never be able to imagine the depths of God’s grace, but I consider myself oh so blessed to stand in awe of the richness of his goodness.  I came away from the country with a new outlook on life and a renewed appreciation of God’s gifts that are given to me so unconditionally. To him be all the Glory!

Please make sure to visit the Photo Gallery at www.wardfund.org.  There you will find photos we took while in Liberia.  Thanks to all of you who prayed for my safe return to the USA.

Vickie Ward is the Chairperson of the Victor E. Ward Educational Fund, a U.S. recognized not-for-profit organization registered in the State of New York.  Ms. Ward established the Ward Educational Fund in 2000 in memory of her father, Victor E. Ward and the Ward Academy of Science and Technology for Girls in Monrovia, Liberia in 2008.  You may contact her at wardfund@hotmail.com

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast (Eph. 2:8-9)

As printed in the Liberian Observer April 22, 2008
By F. Momolu Dorley

Liberia’s First Chemist Honored
Daughter Pledges to be Cheerleader

Liberia’s first chemist, the late Victor E. Ward has been remembered for his outstanding services to the Chemistry Department of the University of Liberia (UL) and to the University in general.

A memorial wall was erected at UL Science and Agriculture campus in Fendell outside Monrovia, in remembrance of the late iconic figure that encouraged many Liberians to take interest in chemistry as a discipline.

At a memorial service held in his honor, Vickie Ward Kendall, daughter of the late Chemist, said the memorial wall is a sign that her father’s name still lives on.  She told the audience, “One is not truly dead until his or her name is forgotten.” She said her personal hope is that her father be remembered for his outstanding services to the nation.

In 2000, the ward family set up a scholarship fund at the University, Mrs. Ward Kendall recalled.  She added that the Fund had targeted over 100 students in the science department of the university and that 27 of the beneficiaries had graduated from UL with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. She expressed shock over the condition of the university’s laboratories, noting that the labs were in a deplorable condition.  “These labs are decrepit and empty,” noted Mrs. Ward Kendall.  ‘I wonder what the students are learning?’ she asked rhetorically.

She pledged her unwavering support to the University, especially the science department. ‘I am going to be the cheerleader for these students,” she disclosed.  She said she would begin serious advocacy for the students, adding that it was something her father stood for.  She disclosed that she had brought in several modern chemistry books and more were expected for the university in 21 days.

Mrs. Ward Kendall divulged that she was working with the chairperson of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Connecticut, who Kendall further disclosed had worked in Liberia prior to the civil crisis.

Before Saturday’s memorial service, Vickie Ward Kendall officially launched the Ward Academy for Girls.  The Academy, said Mrs. Ward Kendall will focus on science and technology education.

Prior to the civil war, there was an upsurge every year in the number of females that graduated from the Science and Technology Department at UL. “Today,” she observed, “the number of females has sharply dwindled.”  She said the mission of the Ward Academy is to train and nurture females in the science and technology fields.  The Ward Academy accepts students from Kindergarten through 4th grade for now with prospects for future growth.

The late first chemist of Liberia, Victor E. Ward, graduated in 1951 with summa cum laude in the first graduating class of UL. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry in 1954 at Rensselear Institute.  Rensselear Institute is America’s oldest technology institute.  In 1967, Victor E. Ward earned his Master of Science in chemistry at West Virginia University in the U.S.  Upon his return to Liberia, he accepted a position at UL as Assistant Professor in Chemistry.  In 1970, he became Chairman of the Department of Chemistry, a position he held until his untimely death in 1990.

Former CWA High School Chemistry teacher makes a donation of chemistry textbooks to the Ward Educational Fund
(North Brunswick, New Jersey, USA) – January 7, 2008

Dr. Amy Howell, Chairperson of the Chemistry Department at the University of Connecticut made a generous donation of several chemistry textbooks to the Victor E. Ward Educational Fund today at her home in Tolland, CT.  Dr. Howell presented the books to Vickie Ward, Chairperson of the Ward Educational Fund and promised to secure more books for the Fund in the future.

Ms. Ward met Dr. Howell in the late 1970’s in Monrovia when Dr. Howell was teaching chemistry and Algebra at the College of West Africa while on a Methodist Church mission.  They have not seen each other since Ms. Ward left Liberia in 1979.  In recent times, Ms. Ward found out that Dr. Howell headed the chemistry department at the University of CT and contacted her.  After several emails and phone calls, Ms. Ward brought Dr. Howell up to speed on the deplorable conditions in the chemistry department at the Fendall campus of the University of Liberia, including the immediate need for textbooks.

According to Ms. Ward, a graduate of CWA, “This donation is a first step in addressing the lack of textbooks at the University of Liberia Chemistry Department.”  Ms. Ward added, “Students are still using an organic chemistry textbook that was used by my father, the late Professor Victor E. Ward,  former Chairperson of the Chemistry Department, prior to the 1990 war, and I am so grateful to Amy for her efforts in obtaining these books for us.  She is truly God-sent.”  The donation includes recent editions of Organic, General, Physical, and Analytical chemistry textbooks.

Dr. Howell presents textbooks to Vickie Ward of the Ward Educational Fund

Eunice Martin presents MacDella Cooper with Outstanding Community Service Award

THE WARD EDUCATIONAL FUND KICKS OFF CAMPAIGN TO STOP THE RAPE OF YOUNG LIBERIAN GIRLS AT ITS 6TH ANNUAL CRYSTAL AWARD GALA TO BENEFIT THE WARD ACADEMY FOR GIRLS

(North Brunswick, NJ – November 28, 2007) -- On Friday, November 16, 2007, the UN issued a resolution urging action to eliminate rape and other forms of sexual violence against women committed by governments, peacekeeping forces and citizens.   This resolution came out on the eve of the Victor E. Ward Educational Fund’s “Stop the Rape – Educate” Kickoff Campaign held at the Fund’s 6th Annual Crystal Award Gala.  This year the Gala was held to benefit the Ward Academy of Science and Technology for Girls.  The Ward Fund is pleased with this resolution, and it is our hope that the resolution is endorsed by the full 192-member General Assembly.

The Benefit was held at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Monroe, New Jersey.  Chairperson of the Ward Fund, Vickie E. Ward told the guests a story of two sisters (aged 9 and 5) who were raped by a UN soldier in Liberia.  The girls were not in school because their mother could not afford tuition and uniforms. They were both raped while their mother was at the market.  Ms. Ward urged the audience to join in the “Stop the Rape-Educate” Campaign by contributing to the education of young Liberian girls.  The Ward Academy for Girls will open in 2008.  The Stop the Rape-Educate Campaign will continue to shed light on the rape of young Liberian girls and provide education on prevention.

Crystal Awards were given to Congressman Donald Payne of New Jersey for Outstanding Humanitarian Efforts; Dr. Thomas Sleweon for Outstanding Medical Career; MacDella Cooper of the MacDella Cooper Foundation for Outstanding Community Service to the Children of Liberia; and Michael Davies (aka Sundaygar Dearboy) for Outstanding Music Career.  The guests were treated to a superb musical performance from “Big Steve” Worjloh and later in the evening, Sundaygar Dearboy, Liberia’s hottest musical performer brought the house down with a dazzling performance of “Bayjah”.

Ward Fund kid models Alexa Amet, Charlese Martin, Meisha Wosely and Dellen Ward graced the runway and wowed the audience as they showed off the pink and blue uniforms to be worn by the students at the Ward Academy next year.  The evening was special; dinner included tilapia, salmon, and chicken parmiagian.  More importantly, The Ward Fund raised much-needed dollars for the Ward Academy for Girls while raising awareness of the need to stop sexual violence against young Liberian girls.

The Victor E. Ward Educational Fund is a U.S. 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote education in science, especially in the field of chemistry.  The Fund is named in memory of the late Professor Victor E. Ward, former chairman of the Chemistry Department, College of Science and Technology at the University of Liberia.  Professor Ward was killed on the Fendall campus of the University of Liberia by soldiers of Charles Taylor during the 1990 war.

Lastly, MentorSciNet will provide an E- Job Assistance program for unemployed Ward Fund beneficiaries. Students can submit a summary of their qualifications and members of the Ward Fund or Ward Fund mentors with provide leads on jobs that match qualifications.

For Immediate Release
Contact Person: Vickie E. Ward
Phone: 703-944-9725

The Victor E. Ward Educational Fund Celebrates 6 Years in Grand Style!

North Brunswick, NJ – October 9, 2006 – The Victor E. Ward Memorial Educational Fund, the organization named for the late Victor E. Ward, former Chairman of the Chemistry Department at the University of Liberia and Liberia’s first chemist, turned 6 years old and celebrated in a big way this past weekend. The Officers and members of The Ward Fund made up of Ward family members and close friends of the family, hosted their 5th Annual Crystal Awards Gala at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Monroe Township, New Jersey

Guests enjoyed an extraordinary evening of mouth-watering food, entertainment with musical selections from singers Ernest Bruce and Princess Pakeel Baldwin. Mrs. Jurudoe Martin, wife of Rev. Charles Levi Martin led the runway in the Fall Fantasy of Fashion – African style, and as always, DJ Jaak Norman dazzled guests with his impeccable DJ style and choice of music.

During the evening, The Ward Fund’s Chairperson, Vickie Ward and Vice Chair, Vivian Ward Worjloh took a moment to recognize two loyal donors to the Ward Fund: Stephen A. Tolbert and Frank Tolin. Vickie Ward told the audience, “Although we appreciate our other donors who may give a one-time gift or a gift once every other year, Steve and Frank are regular donors who do not miss a year.” Ms. Ward, in her chair report told the guests that The Ward Fund will be dedicating a Memorial Wall at the University of Liberia in December to commemorate the life works of her father and the two other professors (James Bowier and Albert Sinewah) who were killed during the 1990 Liberian war. Ms. Mona Bedell, The Ward Fund’s Scholarship Committee Chairperson, recognized those donors making gifts in the last year.

The Ward Fund honored three Liberian women of influence: Stephanie Horton, writer; Angela Peabody, journalist and Emira Woods, policy specialist with regards to Africa and Africans. Emira Woods received the Woman of the Year Award, and Ms. Horton was honored for her e-journal of Liberian writings, www.liberiaseabreeze.com. Accepting the Literary Arts award in Ms. Horton’s absence was Wayetu Moore, A Howard University student and writer. Angela Peabody was honored for her work in journalism, particularly her magazine, Global Woman. Receiving the Fund’s Humanitarian award were The Honorable Joseph Newsome, Former member, House of Representative, Rhode Island and Donna Ferrucci. (posthumous). Ms. Ferrucci’s sister, Kathie Schrek accepted the award. Lastly, the coveted Victor E. Ward Science Award went to none other than Budoin-Brutus Cooper, a former student of the late Professor Ward. Mr. Cooper told the guests about the impact the teachings of Professor Ward still have on his life today as he practices in the field of environmental engineering.

The Crystal Awards Dinner boasted an impressive guest list of Liberian influentials, including, Leslie Norman Cole; Former Ambassador to the U.S., Rachel Diggs and her husband, Dr. Joseph Diggs; Dr. and Mrs. Emmet Dennis, Dr. Jestina Doe Anderson, Stephen A. Tolbert, and Owen Spencer Moore. The evening was culminated by a touching keynote speech given by Miss Shade` Ogunleye, Miss Black New York 2006. She urged Liberians to always give back to community.

The Victor E. Ward Educational Fund is a non-profit organization with a mission to promote education in the sciences, primarily in the field of chemistry at the University of Liberia. The Fund was established in 2000 in memory of the late Professor Victor E. Ward, and it is the only Liberian organization providing scholarships, internships, educational aids, and educational programs for women in the sciences. To date, the Fund has sponsored more than 75 students; 14 have completed a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry.
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The Ward Fund Sponsors its first
Student in Pharmacology

Adolphus Clark, a former beneficiary of The Victor E. Ward Educational Fund and 2006 graduate and chemistry major at the University of Liberia, this year enrolled at the university’s School of Pharmacy. The Ward Fund is assisting this student with tuition so that he can pursue his dream of becoming a Pharmacologist. Adolphus will receive a second Bachelor of Science in Pharmacology upon graduation.

Thanks to the support of our donors this past year, the Ward Fund is able to expand its educational programs.

Five Ward Fund Beneficiaries Receive
Computer Training

Franklin Bundoo, Benetta Quimorlue, Adolphus Clark, James McClain and Plenseh Paye have added a notch to their belt of knowledge. They all underwent training this past December at the TLC Africa Internet Café and Wireless Lounge in Sinkor, Monrovia. Under the tutelage of Ciatta Victor, owner of the Internet Café, the five students completed a 4-week basic course that covered lessons in Introduction to Computer, Internet Browsing, MicroSoft Word, Access and PowerPoint.