“By embracing Ubuntu —”I am because we are,”—we can weave together lessons that go beyond the textbook, teaching students about kindness, responsibility, and the power of unity.”- Chief Education Officer, Dr Ramona Archer-Bradshaw, Barbados.
Just as Barbados has chosen to retell its history through the voices of its ancestors, we Liberians have the same opportunity to reconnect with our roots and bring ancestral storytelling to the heart of education.
It’s worth noting that many of the settlers who came to Liberia brought with them their stories, resilience, and dreams of a new home. But before their arrival, our land held centuries of indigenous heritage, language, and culture—stories waiting to be told.
The Liberia Endangered Language Project (LIBELP) envisions a Liberian education where our children learn the richness of our cultural heritage not from colonial narratives but through the wisdom of our people.
Imagine a classroom or learning environment where learners hear about Liberia’s past through the voices of our ancestors, learning of the strength and resilience that define us. Embracing an approach rooted in our native languages, we can celebrate the values of unity, identity, and pride.
In Barbados, they call upon Ubuntu—”I am because we are”—as a guiding principle for change. In Liberia, we, too, can bring forth the spirit of unity, reminding ourselves and our children that our stories are interconnected and our languages carry the strength of generations. Our heritage isn’t just a reminder of the past; it’s an integral part of who we are, guiding our path forward.
At LIBELP, we work with language experts and intend to collaborate with cultural institutions and the Ministry of Education (MOE) to preserve Liberia’s 16 Indigenous languages, integrating them into the learning experience so Liberians can rediscover the beauty and wisdom embedded in each word.
We are proud to offer resources for learning Liberian languages, creating language content, and providing professional translation and interpretation services that honor the depth of our heritage.
We encourage you to join us as we strive to revive our languages, bring our traditional stories into the classroom, and give the next generation a deep, meaningful connection to their identity.
Liberia Endangered Language Project 