Story number 1 for 10 Jun 2003

(Liberia)–Topping the news, foreigners evacuated Liberia’s capital yesterday. Rebels continued fighting, despite a ceasefire. Worldwide Christian Schools’ Dale Dieleman says because the hostilities interfere, they’re making contingency plans. Their Liberian partners are fundraising, putting the money aside for the future. “At whatever time there might be some cessation of the unrest there, (that) we need to have funds available so that our partners can really begin the rebuilding process, not only for the infrastructure of their facilities, but also to reinvigorate Christian education programs which have really been an essential part of rebuilding the country.” Dieleman says the child soldiers add to the dilemma and require fast work once war is ended. “You can imagine what happens during these development years of children if this is what their whole life has been. So, it’s really trying to reclaim and reconcile as well for the future of Liberia.”