Education is a Lifelong Journey

For Mabium Sirleaf, a Project SHINE intern, education is the key to unlocking a successful and self-sufficient future, a lesson she learned through strife and triumph. This December, she will be graduating with her advanced degree in social work. Her journey to her MSW was not an easy one, but as she explained, "the lessons along the journey make us who we are, not the end destination."

Mabium came to America in 2005, after living through the Liberian civil war, the of her father a a very young age, and refugee displacement. Mabium says she survived because her mother's determination for Mabium to receive education. “In my culture--the Mandingo culture--it is not encouraged for women to become educated,” Mabium explained, “but my family firmly believed that every child, regardless of their sex, should be given an education. Because of this belief, my siblings and I traveled from Liberia to the Ivory Coast, to Ghana while we were displaced during the civil war just to continue our education.”

Mabium’s mother's indefatigable efforts for her children to gain an education stemmed from her own personal experiences. Mabium’s mother was a child bride in Liberia. however, she did not suffer many of the pitfalls of her child-bride peers because she received an education, despite the cultural stigma surrounding educating women in Mandingo culture. Because of this schooling, when Mabium’s father passed away unexpectedly, Mabium's mother was able to support herself and her children by opening and managing a chain of gas stations.

With the words of her mother imprinted on her heart, Mabium never forgot the importance of education. After traveling from country to country to gain her schooling despite war and civil unrest all around her, Mabium knew she should go to America to finish her education. In 2005, after years of attempts, Mabium finally won her green card through Liberia’s lottery system, and immediately enlisted in college at the Community College of Philadelphia. She then continued her education at Temple University, graduating with a degree in Political Science, and is now finishing her Master’s degree at Temple University in social work concentrating in social policy. Through her program, Mabium volunteered with Project SHINE this year on program development and coordination at many community partner sites.

However, Mabium is fully aware that both she and her mother is the exceptions to the rule. “In my country,” Mabium explained, “only about 5% of the people are independent thinkers, and even a smaller proportion of those people feel self-empowered. I believe that it is a lack of free and open education that leads to this. I want to help create a world where everyone has access to a good, free education.” She understands that she was one of the "lucky ones" who were able to escape from a life of ignorance and small-mindedness. Mabium takes her circumstances very seriously, and is determined empower women and children all over the world through education. She hopes to work for the United Nations Girl Up program which focuses on educating young women around the world of different cultures and ideas.

“Social change inspires me, because I believe that everyone should be given the opportunity to become the best versions of themselves and to follow their dreams. That is why I am so inspired by Project SHINE and will continue to work with the program whenever I can. The program truly offers people hope when they have had none. It shines happiness where it most needs to be.”