Thomas Peters

Thomas (personal photo)

Thomas Peters is a man of courage, strength, and commitment. Reverend Peters was involved with the orphanages in Liberia during the civil war which devastated that country from 1990 to 2004. The atrocities committed against the people of this country by the government and the rebels who fought against them were unthinkable. Thomas put his life at risk countless times to save the lives of the children of this land.

Liberian Orphanage (personal photo)

Thomas worked closely with Reverend Kofi, who established many of the orphanages within Liberia. The African Christian Fellowship International (ACFI), which Kofi established, cares for over 1000 orphans. Many of the children are brought to the orphanage in hopes of obtaining a better life. Reverend Thomas has been a large part of this great hope. He has arranged for the adoption of numerous children from Liberia to good homes within the U. S.

adoption (personal photo)

Through this man's courageous acts, such as carrying a small child on his back through the fighting, numerous children have been given a second chance at life. Over 15,000 children were forced to fight in Liberia’s civil war. The war lord Charles Taylor, who was elected president in 1997, forced many of the children into the war as child soldiers. In 2006 Taylor was extradited to face war crimes against the people of Liberia. More than 200,000 people lost their lives during these wars.

In spite of the herculean efforts made by countless wonderful people, this country remains in a state of immense need. Hundreds of children still cry out for help. The civil war devastated the economy of Liberia and approximately 80% of the people live below the poverty level. Life expectancy is age 40 for both men and women. The children in these orphanages long for a better life. Those who have adopted children from Liberia have not only blessed the lives of the children but have also enriched their own lives through their selfless acts of reaching out.

http://dpenquin.rdcss.com/ss/ouseman.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberia

http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/liberia/facts.html

http://www.wer-us.org/breakingnewsliberia.htm

personal interview of adoptive parent on July 19, 2007