Liberia is a small West African country with a big history - it has the distinction of being the only American colony. Founded in 1822 by former American slaves, these settlers, or Americo-Liberians as they were known, quickly gained political and economic control of their new homeland. Their dominance, however, led to oppression of the indigenous people of the region. It may come as no surprise, then, that the Americo-Liberians’ 133-year reign ended in violence. A military coup in 1980 led to eight years of government-sponsored brutality, only to be followed by a second violent upheaval in 1989. The country pitched into an abysmal fourteen-year downward spiral of civil war in which over 200,000 Liberians perished. Still thousands more have become refugees in settlements in several neighboring countries. Buduburam, located 35 miles north of Accra, Ghana’s capital city, is one such settlement. The camp was established in 1990 by an initial group of 420 people. As Liberians continued to flee their country’s violence, the settlement swelled to as many as 41,000 inhabitants. The conditions are such that not even the most basic of needs can be met. There is no drinking water in the camp. Food is scarce— a typical dinner may be a roll with mayonnaise. There is no electricity, save for the few who are lucky enough to be supported by resettled relatives. There is one small medical clinic with three doctors to tend to all 41,000 refugees. Diseases such as malaria, cholera, dysentery and tuberculosis remain unchecked. Yet despite its hardships, Buduburam is a vibrant society. There are burgeoning little kiosks everywhere selling everything from batteries to cornbread. There are over 100 different churches, an established, although fee-based, school system, and even soccer teams. By sheer resilience, the men, women, and children have refused to let the travesties of extreme poverty overcome them. The men, women, and children have every reason for despair, yet hope and pride are equally as evident on their faces. The founding members of Two Steps Forward are honored to have spent time with their new Liberian friends, and hope that you are as moved to help as they have been. Please become a sponsor today.