Former ULAA Board Chairman Anthony Kesselly, over the weekend, challenged Liberian organizations to serve as pillars and not splinters in the struggle for the advancement of Liberian causes.

Speaking at programs marking the first anniversary of the Philadelphia-based “One Hundred Men-One Hundred Women Organization,” Mr. Kesselly urged Liberians to adopt the practice of forging together under what he called “one big umbrella” instead of the unhelpful practice of everyone carrying his or her own small umbrella. 

He admonished smaller community organizations in the various communities to serve as pillars to the larger community organizations as represented by ULAA Chapters. In turn, the former ULAA Legislative organ Chief noted, the ULAA chapters will play their role as pillars to our largest Diaspora umbrella organization, ULAA.

Mr. Kesselly frowned on the practices of some in the Liberian circles, who create organizations either out of anger and despondency or purely to satisfy personal thirst for leadership. As such he noted, multitudes of splinter organizations sprout up claiming to be tackling the very same issues. 

He wondered, “Why wouldn’t Liberians use their energies, resources and time in a concerted way so as to be able to collectively confront and surmount those great challenges that plague their communities?” By working together in concert, any group of well meaning and committed individuals can surmount the most colossal of obstacles, he averred.  

Kesselly, who is also a member of the LAP Board, hailed the “One Hundred Men-One Hundred Women Organization” for its manifested commitment to tackling some of the ills that are today found in the neighborhoods of Liberian communities in collaboration with other sister organizations.

The President of the Organization, Ms. Felicia Garlo, traced the origin of the Organization from the untimely death of popular and active Philadelphia resident and businesswoman Angie Zuagar Manyeah.  Ms. Garlo implored her members to remain committed to the motto of the Organization, “Be Your Brother’s Keeper.”   Incidentally, the theme of the keynote speech delivered by Mrs. Sailume Walo-Roberts centered on the same motto.

Also making remarks at the program was the newly inducted President of the Liberian Association of Pennsylvania, Inc., Mr. Joseph Shiwoh Kamara who lauded the efforts of the Organization and called for unity of purpose among community members.

Bringing greetings from the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas, the newly crowned ULAA Queen, Her Majesty Carley Jegbadei, who herself was one of the honorees at the program, expressed her appreciation to the Organization. She donated a full amount of $ 500.00 on behalf of herself, the United Sarpo Association and ULAA.

The program took place on Saturday, December 1, 2007 at the ACANA Hall in Southwest Philadelphia.