YMCA MUN Press Blog

Guest Speaker Profile: Joseph Kailafa

January 11, 2011 at 12:09 am | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Continued from “The Chocolate Connection” Issue # 3

In 2002, Sierra Leone was the poorest nation in the world. That same year, Norway was the wealthiest nation in the world. Also in 2002, Joseph Kaifala’s future was forever changed.

Joseph Kailafa was the guest speaker yesterday for General Assembly A, focusing on the importance of education and the obligation

that we all have, as the new generation, to the future of our country and world. His story and lessons inspired every delegate in the room.

Growing up in poverty in Sierra Leone during the Civil War left Kailafa with minimal options for formal education.  As the rebels were burning schools and libraries, Kailafa, with only basic literacy, taught himself to read with whatever books he could find. During the Civil War, Kailafa was exposed to awful crimes committed by the rebels including amputation to children in public and countless murders.When the United Nations decided to reopen schools in Sierra Leone to keep the kids off the streets and away from rebels, Kailafa was finally able to attend a real school. Although, it was not what he imagined, there were not enough chairs so the majority of students, including Kailafa, stood and there were no textbooks. Kailafa would hang out around the country’s embassy and gather the newspapers to increase his knowledge.

Kailafa was invited to study at the United War College in Norway in 2002. This culture shock was the pinnacle in deciding his future. He did not understand how two places could be worlds apart in the way they live. Kailafa’s eyes were opened to the “reality of the disparities” in the world, thus beginning his journey to spread awareness in the importance of unity in the world and education for everyone.

“If a country sneezes, the whole world catches a cold”

Joseph Kailafa believes that we are obliged, as people, to fix the Global System so that every nation interacts together to grow. The globe is intertwined, everyone has an influence. To keep resilient in this fight, we must keep each other; surrounding ourselves with a network of focus, determination, and hope.

“If you try hard enough, if you have a goal, and pursue it fervently, it is very likely you will succeed.”

The first line of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that primary education is the fundamental human right and is Free. It is the essence of the social contract we made to protect this human right.

World leaders who have influenced Kailafa greatly also emphasized the importance of education in the writing. Nelson Mandela admits that without the gift of education, nothing would ever have been accomplished. Ghandi also teaches that with education, then and only then can love and peace be achieved. Along with the influence of such historical leaders, Kailafa accredits much of his inspiration and influence to his father. Teaching him the resilience needed to fight for his right of education,Kailafa’s father’s words are the epitome of what Kailafa himself hopes to share.

“Education is the only legacy that can never be taken away. I could give you the world, but it may crumble. If I give you an education, then you can rebuild the world.”

Following Joseph Kailafa’s lecture, delegates had the opportunity to ask some follow up questions. In response to inquiring about what advice he would give to aspiring leaders for change, Kailafa stressed the significance of education. Never give up; we must take advantage of our duty as an agent to society.  But how? In America there is always potential for change, to overcome the problems of education in our world, we must act. The American system is in place for change, to act. The power of American government lies in our hands.

“You are the constitution of this country.”

Kailafa’s story and words left the General Assembly hopeful and inspired. We would like to thank Joseph Kailafa for the opportunity to listen to him and learn.

“You are not here to save the world. It is not your duty. Your mentality must be: something is wrong, this is what I can do, I will do it.”

- Amanda Sachs