About

Greetings from Kaitlyn MacMillan and the Be Still Empowerment Program.

History of this endeavor:
It has now been about 18 months since God sent our first four adopted children, Will, Anavah, Eden and True, to us from Liberia, West Africa.

God gave us an amazing surprise in September 2007. Saywala and Mayango Worwee are twin boys that lived with Will in the Shepherd’s Village Orphanage for older boys in Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa. I had received a letter in October 2006 from Saywala. His letter told ‘a piece of his life’. We decided to write a book together. This allowed us to talk on the phone often while we worked. I was overjoyed when I learned that he and his brother would be adopted. They came to the States in May 2007. After meeting the boys in
August, we invited them to come for a September visit. Not long after their arrival, the adoptive family contacted us to tell us they felt unable to handle the responsibilities of their adoption. David and I knew right away that God brought them to us as sons. They have been with us ever since. In April 2008, their adoption was finalized.

We had hoped to adopt another girl from Liberia. However, in May 2008, it became clear that she would not be able to come home. We began to seek other options for her. With the help of Pastor Jimmie Koffa and his nephew, Kobort, we found a trade school called the Grace Outreach Academy.

Shortly after our African sons arrived in the USA, Shepherd’s Village was closed. All of the boys were put on the street. The Zackey family, who was integral in our own adoptions, took up this cause and organized everything for the boys. There were forty boys living in the house. Because I had spent so much time on the phone with the older boys in Africa when Will was there, I had developed strong ties with them. After my own sons came home, my heart just cried out for the ones left behind. To know that these boys were being cared for was a big relief.

Then this past July (’08) while in Liberia making arrangements for the boys, the Zackey’s oldest son was robbed. This led to the closing of the home where the boys were living. Some of
the boys had no place to go.

God certainly knows the future and He had been preparing and planning. He was not surprised by the robbery or the after-effects. The surprise was for us; that God used us to help.

Immediately after we heard about the robbery on the July 12, everything just flew into place.

With the help of four other families, we have put ten boys in trade school. We did not have the funds to put everyone in school, but there are nine other boys living with the students. They share six rooms and Pastor Jimmie Koffa looks after them all. Pastor Jimmie is also attending school and is able to oversee the boys’
studies.

We have named this endeavor the “Be Still Empowerment Program.”

Be Still:

The Be Still Empowerment Program’s main focus is to provide the boys with the means to learn a trade while continuing to mentor them in their walk with Jesus Christ. The boys are supplied with only the bare minimum as far as their needs are concerned. They are required to attend Pastor Jimmie’s church. They also work to help provide for their own needs. Rent for their rooms has been paid
for one year. They receive medical attention if needed and the students have been provided tuition for the theoretical portion of trade school and with the clothing required to attend classes. This has all been done for about $5000 US.

Currently, we are looking for on-the-job training positions for the boys. Starting in January, the boys will fill our time sheets and we will be giving them a monthly stipend dependent upon their own work.

The nine other boys are working in various jobs that they have found for themselves. They are hoping that next year there will be funding for them to attend trade school.

What is happening among these young men is remarkable. The boys are learning to rely upon themselves rather than beg for help from Americans. The orphanage did not have the staff nor
the means to supply the boys with life skills. We are so thankful that God has turned this bad situation for His purposes. He is training boys to be men of God who will lead their families and
their communities for His glory.

Liberia, West Africa:

Liberia is in a terrible state after their fourteen civil war which ended in 2003. The average age of the population is 18 years. Those who had skills and education were either killed or sought
asylum elsewhere. Our hope is that the boys will become self-sufficient, contributing members of their own society. Being some of the few that actually have skills will enable them to become
leaders in their communities: Christian leaders with a heart to deliver the Gospel in power as they work to rebuild with the practical skills they have learned.

The Future:

~We hope to give each of the 19 boys a small monthly allowance for the work they have done each month as most are not paid. They will have to manage this money themselves to provide their own food and needs which include cooking fuel, clothing and toiletries. The boys will be required to maintain records of their work to be turned in for their allowance. The amount the boys receive will reflect their willingness to work or attend classes and their attendance at church. They must continue to strictly comply with the ‘no girls, no pornography’ rule to remain in the program.

The allowance will be between $20- $25 each month.

~When next year’s trade school begins, we will assess how the boys who have been working are doing and decide who has earned the privilege to go to school.
~Some of the boys will need tools to be able to complete their practicals.
~I hope to go to Liberia to implement this new part of the program and encourage the boys in 2009. The cost of the trip would be approximately $6500. I would be taking one of my Liberian sons with me.
~Pastor Jimmie Koffa is an incredible man. He was their favorite director at the orphanage where my
younger children lived. When he learned that the orphanage was mismanaging funds, he resigned. There are approximately 25 people, mostly children, living in his home. He has allowed our daughter whose adoption failed to live with him for about 18 months. He was receiving $75 each month from us, but since we took on this project, we have only been able to supply him with $50 for his home. He receives no other support. Therefore he desired to go to school to receive a certificate so that he might be better able to support his own household. He receives no monetary support from his church. We would like to find him adequate support to allow him to minister more freely among those for whom he has taken responsibility.

~Kobort Koffa has been an exceptional help to me in finding the school, finding the lodging and helping me to keep abreast of what the boys are doing
via e-mail and phone. He is 17 years old and recently scored the top score in his district on the West African exam that is given to those qualifying to graduate high school. We are
hoping to bring him to the USA to study so that he can learn better English and computer skills. He could then return to Liberia to train the other boys. He has a passport and his papers in order. If anyone has understanding of how we might be able to bring him to the states to investigate schools, please let me know.
~Next July the nine boys who are currently working will need assistance for their housing and their school tuition, etc. That need will be assessed closer to school registration. This is a short term project to equip these boys. The time for this opportunity is limited and we will not be adding any other boys. However, those who do not comply with the rules can be put
out of the program. From my settlement money there remains only enough funds to supply tools for the students.

Get Involved:

These boys are like brothers to my sons, Will, Josiah and Mark (Saywala). They have lived and suffered together. I am so thankful that we have been able to provide a chance for success.

Please pray for the boys and for me as I try to learn how best to assist these boys to become men. If you would like to assist the Be Still Empowerment Program, you can be assured that all funds go directly to the needs of the boys. The funds are released on an as-needed basis to be strictly overseen by Pastor Jimmie. If there is a particular boy or need you would like to assist leave a comment and I will contact you. You may designate a certain boy and one-time gifts are gratefully accepted. Even a gift as small as $5 can make a big difference. (There are $60 Liberian dollars for every $1 US dollar.)

Blessings,
Kaitlyn MacMillan