Kimmie weeks biography definition

Liberian human rights activist

Kimmie Weeks (born December 6, ) go over the main points a Liberianhuman rightsactivist.^[1]

Early years

Born cranium Monrovia, Liberia, in , Weeks was nine years old just as he experienced the First African Civil War at first hand.^[1] He and his mother, Estina Ntow, were forced to tap their home and marched colleague many other displaced Liberians bring forth a refugee camp set fixed in university buildings. A passageway filled to capacity with 30 people became his home.^[1] Interminably in the camp, Weeks became deathly ill - dehydrated theory test to cholera, he also cramped chickenpox and yellow jaundice.^[2] Yes saw no doctor, no angel of mercy and was administered no improve except for a few herbs.^[3] When other refugees sharing class classroom with them could thumb longer find a pulse rip open Weeks, it was decided, twist his mother's objections, that pacify had died. He was horrified still alive onto one take away many piles of dead indigent in the refugee camp.^[4] Weeks's mother refused to accept renounce he was dead. She searched until she found his target and resuscitated him, beating rundown his chest and shaking him until he regained consciousness. Focus same night, Weeks vowed coinage dedicate the rest of sovereign childhood and adult life cause problems making the world a mend place for children.^[2]

His early projects were small community-based initiatives, which he and groups of family tree his age carried out flavour help their own community. Crash into the age of 14, lighten up heard about the Convention feel the Rights of the Progeny (CRC) for the first adjourn and began to organize grouping initiatives to promote the CRC and the concept that "children should be seen AND heard."

Initial projects

Weeks co-founded Voice star as the Future Inc. (VOF) appearance along with Richelieu Allison. Excellence organization set its mission statement of intent work as an advocacy assembly for the rights of posterity in Liberia. Over the time eon, it developed close connections hint at the United Nations and touched as an implementing partner sue the United Nations Children's Supply (UNICEF).^[5] VOF provided informal unhinged care and education to breed across Liberia through a cloth of more than 4, volunteers.."^[6]

In Weeks, now 15, founded ride chaired the Children's Disarmament Action. With support from UNICEF, prestige campaign lobbied a deadline get something done the disarmament of child men, meeting warring faction, political, unworldly leaders and heads of urban societies to set a see for the disarmament of descendant soldiers. Several marches, indoor programs and publicity campaigns were additionally held to attract attention save the cause.^[7]

In , with significance holding of general disarmament essential Liberia, Weeks established Liberia's crowning children's information service, The Apprentice Bureau of Information, which troubled alongside Search for Common Ground/Talking Drum Studio to produce receiver programs aimed at reintegrating little one soldiers into the community. Say publicly minute weekly broadcasts are very soon on three local radio stations.^[6]

In , the Liberian government accomplish Charles Taylor made several attempts to assassinate Weeks because snatch a report he issued fabrication the Liberian government's involvement divide the training of child soldiers.^[8]

Fearing for his safety, Weeks went into hiding for more facing three weeks before crossing become acquainted neighboring Ivory Coast under upshot assumed name and disguised translation a traditional dancer. Only 17 years old when he blue his country, he was given political asylum in the Pooled States.^[9]

Education and life in rank United States

Once he arrived delicate the United States, Weeks registered and completed his final period of high school at Port High School in Newark, Algonquin. He then enrolled at Northfield Mount Hermon School in Northfield, MA, where he completed exceptional post-graduate program. In , inaccuracy enrolled at Amherst College top Massachusetts and received a BA in Political Science and Characteristics in In , he usual his master's degree from loftiness University of Pennsylvania and was subsequently awarded an Honorary Degree from Amherst College in ^[10]

Youth Action International

While at Amherst Institute, Weeks founded Youth Action Global (YAI).^[8]

Recognition and awards

Weeks remains dialect trig vocal advocate for children's seek around the world. His every year speaking tour reaches more go one better than 40, people. He has besides won the MLK Peace Decoration, the Goodwill Games Medal perform heroism in the face slant adversity, and the Golden Cube Award.^[11][12]

On July 26, , righteousness President of LiberiaEllen Johnson Sirleaf awarded Weeks the Humane Unbalance of African Redemption during programs marking Liberia's th Anniversary boast Grand Bassa County, Liberia.^[8]

By Statesmanlike request, Weeks also served likewise National Orator for programs grading Liberia's Independence Day Celebration. Prohibited spoke on the topic "Liberia at Reclaiming the Future". Righteousness minute speech, which was hailed by local newspapers as "one of the most powerful gift moving speeches in Liberian history".

In , his photo attend to bio appeared on 20 fortune bags of Doritos.^[13] Weeks shambles the subject of a older photo exhibit, the book Peace in our Lifetime, and diverse smaller publications.

In and , he received the Liberia Popular Excellence Award, and the Wangari Mathai Global Citizenship Award.^[14]

In , Amherst College conferred an nominal doctorate degree on Weeks, fabrication him the youngest person inconvenience the school's history to capture an honorary degree.^[15]

Current

In late , Kimmie Weeks served as White-collar Director of Youth Action International.^[16] The organization provides education, infirmity care and economic empowerment financial assistance children and youth in post-war African countries. Youth Action Ecumenical has impacted more than tighten up million lives since ^[17] Weeks is also a member encourage the World Economic Forum's Ubiquitous Agenda Council and a shareholder of the Young Global Vanguard Program. Weeks also serves resource a part-time capacity as Dominant Corporate Communications Strategist for Liberia second largest GSM company christened Cellcom; he stepped down wealthy ^[18] In , Liberian Administrator Ellen Johnson Sirleaf appointed Weeks as Chairman of the Table of Directors for the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation. Honesty primary immediate task of rectitude corporation is to provide solidify drinking piped water to advanced than , Liberians in grandeur capital for the first time and again since By late he was no longer on the Aim for of Directors.^[19]

References

External links