Lighting the Way: How Literature is Transforming Young Lives in Liberia
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The power of a story doesn't end on the page—it lives in the hearts of those who read it, who write it, who dare to imagine themselves within it.
This is the beating heart of One Wor(l)d, a transformative literary initiative unfolding in Monrovia, Liberia, spearheaded by the Vamba Sherif Foundation. And it's a story we're honored to amplify.
Vamba Sherif arrived in the Netherlands as a refugee. Literature became his compass. Today, as a celebrated novelist, essayist, and literature professor at Leiden University, he carries a profound conviction: the same transformative power that saved him can illuminate the path for young Liberians still grappling with the aftermath of war.
Author of the acclaimed novels Sundiata and The Emperor's Son—a sweeping historical epic about the great African freedom fighter Samori Touré—Sherif knows intimately how literature can reshape a life."Literature has the power to awaken self-awareness and empathy," he writes. And he's not speaking in abstractions—he's speaking from lived experience.
The youth of Liberia carry invisible wounds. Decades after civil conflict devastated the nation, young people continue to wrestle with trauma, addiction, and a crushing absence of perspective. They are brilliant. They are resilient. They are waiting for someone to believe in their voices.
The One Wor(l)d Literary Workshops offer exactly that: a space where young Liberians can discover creative writing as a tool for self-expression, develop critical thinking skills that reshape how they see themselves and their world, build community with fellow writers and mentors who understand their stories, and transform pain into purpose through the alchemy of literature.
This isn't a solo effort. The Foundation is partnering with powerhouses including the University of Liberia, the Liberian Writers Association, and local luminaries like Saah Millimono, a deaf Liberian writer who won the prestigious Kwani Literary Prize for his novel Girl, Interrupted—proof that barriers dissolve when talent meets opportunity. Jandai Golakai, renowned author and educator, brings institutional strength to the vision.
The most beautiful part? The stories don't stay locked in notebooks. The best work emerging from these workshops will be collected and published as Pepper Coast: Anthology of Liberian Writing, in partnership with Forte Publishing in Monrovia.
Imagine: young Liberian voices, bound together, reaching readers across the continent and beyond. Imagine the ripple.
The Vamba Sherif Foundation is fundraising to launch this initiative—€8,000 to plant seeds that will grow into forests of possibility. As of now, 102 donors have contributed €4,550, bringing the campaign 56% of the way there.
Every contribution says to a young Liberian writer: Your story matters. Your voice deserves to be heard.
At Iskanchi, we believe in the radical act of publishing African voices—all of them. From children discovering wonder in picture books to young adults finding themselves in fantasy worlds to poets mapping the contours of our collective soul.
The One Wor(l)d workshops embody this mission at its core: they're about creating the next generation of African storytellers, giving them tools, mentorship, and platforms.
They're about recognizing that literature isn't a luxury—it's a lifeline.
Ready to support this vision?
Donate to the Vamba Sherif Foundation and help launch One Wor(l)d: https://vambasheriffoundation.com/index.php/donation/
Learn more:
- Website: vambasheriffoundation.com
- Instagram: @vamba.omarsherif
- Facebook: Vamba Sherif
Because every young writer deserves a chance to find their voice. Every story deserves to be told.
Iskanchi is committed to amplifying African and diasporic voices. We celebrate initiatives like One Wor(l)d that invest in the writers and storytellers shaping our future.
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