The power of a story doesn't end on the page—it lives in the hearts of those who read it. This is the beating heart of One Wor(l)d, a transformative literary initiative unfolding in Monrovia, Liberia, spearheaded by the Vamba Sherif Foundation.
Vamba Sherif arrived in the Netherlands as a refugee. Literature became his compass. Today, as a celebrated novelist and literature professor at Leiden University, he believes the same transformative power that saved him can illuminate the path for young Liberians still grappling with the aftermath of war.
The One Wor(l)d Literary Workshops offer young Liberians a space to discover creative writing as a tool for self-expression, build community with mentors, and transform pain into purpose. The Foundation partners with the University of Liberia, the Liberian Writers Association, Saah Millimono, and Jandai Golakai. The best work will be published as Pepper Coast: Anthology of Liberian Writing, in partnership with Forte Publishing in Monrovia.
The Vamba Sherif Foundation is fundraising €8,000 to launch this initiative; as of now, 102 donors have contributed €4,550, bringing the campaign 56% of the way there. Donate: https://vambasheriffoundation.com/index.php/donation/
Iskanchi is committed to amplifying African and diasporic voices. We celebrate initiatives like One Wor(l)d that invest in the writers and storytellers shaping our future.