On this day 10 years back (September 17, 2010), I landed in Liberia with ray of hopes. I never knew what was in here other than what I read in internet where everything was discouraging. Nothing was convincing enough to travel or to work in Liberia.
To add fuel to the fire except my better half and my father, everybody else asked the same question ஏண்டா உனக்கு வேற ஊரே கிடைக்கலையா, அமெரிக்கா யூரோப் ஆஸ்ட்ரேலியான்னு போகலாம். அட நம்ம ஊர்ல என்னடா இல்ல) (meaning don't you have any other better place to work)
But I was confident to explore unknown territory. And I reached here with a open mind and was excited like a kid. And everything here was way better than what I expected and what I read in internet. I enjoyed my stay here all these days and still enjoying every moment here.
And time here rolls thick and fast. 10 years has completed in a blink of an 👀 eye.
I have got so many good memories in Liberia to cherish and few to ignore as well. The best thing Liberia has taught me is to understand people, the joy of sharing, learning different culture and to adapt to toughest situations in life.
And above all it has unearthed the plant lover turned gardener (future farmer) in me and to connect back with mother nature. Liberia has always made me to feel the warmth of Mother Nature and our connection with the balance of life. Mama Liberia is truly blessed in many ways.
I would take this moment to thank my company management who gave me this opportunity, all my fellow Liberian brothers and sisters, my well wishers and friends who has helped me to reach this milestone in Liberia
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Before I came here, I never heard about a country named Liberia ever existed or even noticed in world map. Thanks to my poor geographical knowledge. And the only consolation is I am not the only odd man out.
Please see the conversation when I talk to my friends or relatives
Opp: எங்கப்பா வேலை பாக்குற?
Me : லைபீரியா ல ஒரு ரப்பர் கம்பெனி
Opp: அது எங்க இருக்கு?
Me: ஆப்பிரிக்கா ல
Opp: ஓ சவுத்ஆப்பிரிக்கா வா?
Me: சவுத் ஆப்பிரிக்கா(South Africa) இல்ல, ஆப்பிரிக்கா 'ங்கிறது ஒரு கண்டினெண்ட். அதுல வெஸ்ட் ஆப்பிரிக்கால லைபீரியா அப்படின்னு ஒரு நாடு
Opp: ஓ நைஜீரியா வா
Me: இல்லப்பா லைபீரியா.. லை! லை!
Opp: ஓ ஓகே, லிபியா (Libya) தான?
Me: இல்லப்பா லைபீரியா😪
Opp: சைபீரியா தெரியும் நைஜீரியா தெரியும் என்னப்பா புதுசா லைபீரியா.. நீ சொல்லித்தான் தெரிஞ்சுக்கிறேன்😂😂
This is how most of the conversation begin when people ask about my whereabouts until 2014. And then came Ebola to highlight Liberia in world map.
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Rain Gods has blessed this place with Flora and fauna. The greenery found here can only be seen in very few places in the globe.
Mother nature is always the best teacher to strike balance of life and for self realization.. My journey continues here.. And my learning continues every moment during my stay in Liberia and I wake up every morning with full of excitement. That's the power of nature..
(Pic : Clicked in 2010 in our company plantation)
