Hey guys this year my goal is to get 800 books to be donated to Library for Liberia and School supplies to give to the students of Liberia Mission Inc. ( St. Anthony of Padua school) in Liberia so if you have any books would like to donate or school supplies please feel free to contact me. I appreciate your help!

Rwanda Flag Raising Ceremony

WHY DO I EXIST ? -  KUKI NDIHO RWANDA ORPHANS SUPPORT PROJECT  

                                                   presents

RWANDA FLAG RAISING CEREMONY

            In Honor of the United Nation’s International Day for Peace and supporting Rwandan Orphans

  DATE   :   October 25th , 2012       TIME :  4:30  PM   

 Location: Newark City Hall Rotunda  ( 920 Broad Street . Newark , NJ 07102)

 

  Please Join

The  2010 Ambassador for Peace Award Winner  &  2012 Humanitarian Award Winner   Ms. Marie Claudine MUKAMABANO,A Rwandan genocide orphan survivor ‘s Initiative of Raising the Flag of Rwanda as a Symbole of:

     Healing, Peace, Resilience, Hope & Forgiveness 

 

GUEST OF HONOR &  SPEAKERS INCLUDE:                      

Honorable Mayor Cory Booker

Honorable Mayor Joseph Champagne, Jr.

Ms. Michelle Bachelet,CEO of UN Women Under United Nation’s Secretary- General

H.E.   Tete  Antonio  , Ambassador, Permanent Observer of African Union to the UN

 H.E. Dr. Josephine Ojiambo,UN Deputy Ambassador of Kenya 

Mr. Robert F. Van Lierop, Attorney at Law, McLaughlin& Stern,LLP

                          

THIS EVENT IS HOSTED BY :

Oumou Cherif -  Miss Guinea, Massachusetts ( 2011- 2012 )

Patience Noah  -  Miss Liberia, USA  ( 2012- 2013)

      M.C :  Wale Idris Ajibad – CEO of  African Views

Honorable Chair  Dosso Kassimu and Staff of The African Commission of Newark    in conjunction with  Marie  Claudine’s Charity – Why do I exist              

Special  event include:   Food & Drinks, music, African performing artist & Peace Poem BY Marie Claudine

Please contribute to our Peace, Sustainability, & Empowerment Initiatives for Rwandan orphans www.whydoiexist.org

TEL: 347 465 4045      E-MAIL: claudinepeace@gmail.com  talk to Marie Claudine

Looking Back

  This week I've spent a lot of time reflecting on my life. As I work towards graduation I am realizing how much I've grown over the years and how I have progress as a leader. Today one of my friends asked me to speak with his younger brother who is a freshman college and all I kept thinking was, how to you advice a college freshman. On my way to meet up with him all I kept envisioning was me as a freshman. See, when I started talking to him it was amazing how much he reminds me of myself as a freshman.
 
Right now he's 18 and on his own for the first time and coming from a strong family with two older brothers and an overly protective cousin all he wanted to do was get out of the house. I'm sure most of you reading this know what you were like as an 18 year old freshman in college surrounded by tons of girls, drugs and alcohol. Here is where things gets tough. As I sat there talking to him, he did have that blank stare like who is this girl. In my head I thought to myself, do I present myself as a senior who got to where she is by chance or do I present myself as someone who was once 18, who was once a freshman, who has once made mistakes and now understands that these are all part of human growth. Over the years I've attended many many leadership seminars and conferences that have prepared me for moments like this but I still wasn't sure what to say or how to start so I took the personal approach with him.
  
A long time ago I was told that the difference between a great leader and someone who is just a leader is personal experience. Now, am I saying I'm a great leader? no not yet,  but I am working on it! After laying the foundation I asked him how he feels about being in college and yes he is lost, and like any 18 year male he is trying to find himself. I asked him about the type of friends he has and all of them are of the same background as him. Bam! there it was. What my mentor tells me all the time. I can actually heart his voice ringing in my ears right now. ( Haitian accent) Patience if you want to be a great leader you have got to have a diverse and dynamic group of friends. Find people that are smarter than you because they will push you to challenge yourself. At the time which was 3yrs ago did I understand it, no not until a year ago it really started to sink in because I had to hear it over and over. Of course I told him the same thing. Now the question is will it be enforce? probably not till he's older because we humans do not like to step out of our comfort zone.

Like Dr. Steve White would say, did I make a difference not until you all have graduated and 10yrs from now you are CEOs and Executives. Now with this kid, did I make a difference? How do you measure success through advice? All you can do it hope that he will make the right decisions and even if he makes the wrongs it will lead him down the right path. To all of you College freshmen out there enjoy your freshman year and have fun but make sure you set your priority straight if you want to go to a party make sure your home work is done first. Surround yourself with the right people and don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Be young but don't be a stupid young person. Once again enjoy college! your life has just begun and yes it will go by fast. But always know that whatever decisions you make now will affect the rest of your life.

In the words of Eleen Maxwell- My will shall shape the future, win or loose, only I hold the key to my destiny.

Library for Liberia

http://www.facebook.com/libraryforliberia

Young Liberian Summit

   This past weekend I was in Chicago for the Young Liberian Summit which I was honored to be a part of. As I sat there listening to the discussions and presentations it dawned on me how much I have been disconnected from my culture. Although many topics such as leadership ( my area), Education, Health and Technology were presented, my favorite topic presented was Culture. As a leader I believe being connected with one's culture is very important to self discovery. How can you lead people when you don't know who you are? My mom always told me Ma-Gueh in order for you to know where you're going always keep in mind where you come from. Where did I come from many of you may be asking. I was raised in the village of Nimba county in Liberia with no access to electricity, light, clean water whatsoever I have today. growing up we were in between Ivory Coast and Liberia because of the civil war Liberia was enduring during the 90s and early 2000s.
    Growing up like many Liberians we had to struggle for survival and hiding in the deepest parts of the forest to make sure the rebels did not get a hold of us. Being uprooted did not only pushed us back in terms of education but many of the children were forced to grow up as their families were murdered left with no one to look after them. I can not share everything that happened to me and my family on this blog but one question that one of the participants at the summit asked that I struggled with the most when I first came to the US and I believe most Liberian youth struggle with is how do we go from being the victim to being a survival? With our childhood being stripped away from us at the sound of AK47s how do you overcome that? How do you move past those horrible images of your family being killed in front of you. And if you were a child soldier how do you move past the killer mindset which was engraved in you at the age of 12 or even younger?. One way that can be done is by accepting that it was apart of your life. Accepting that all those events that happened in your past was not your fault and that you are not the one to blame. Be proud of who you have become because of your past and knowing that you have a bright future ahead of you. Also be proud of who you are not just as an individual but as a Liberian and let this pride show in everything thing you do.
   This summit was just what I needed at this stage in my life because it opened my eyes to see things in a new light and to be proud of my past, present and my future. If you were not able to attend this summer please make the effort to make it next summer as they come to Mass for the first time. It felt good hanging out with Young Liberians that were doctors, lawyers, scholars poets, public figures and many more. Next year I look forward to meeting more of you as we come together to help influence each other to not only make a difference in our lives but back home as well. 

Passion for What you do!

A great leader’s courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position.”
– John Maxwell,

Today I had a conversation with my mentor and one thing that he made me realize was how little of  passion I have for what I do. See the thing about passion is that it can take you as far as you want it to take you. We as human are so afraid of being different that we rather hide behind other and do bare minimal to get by. See for years I have achieved and accomplished to many things but never really open door for that fire inside me to burn because like everyone else I too am afraid of being different or being too successful. Whatever has been hold me back I now know not to let it hold me back anymore. Don't be afraid of stepping outside of your comfort zone. Don't just be like everyone else. Be better than everyone else. Be passionate about what you do because once you are passionate you have the urge to go further, to get more knowledge, to get other people interested, to make a name out of yourself.

Friendship-Leadership

As a young leader you have to keep in mind that it's not about having many friends. Friends are important but make sure you surround yourself with people that have your best interest at heart because if not they will try to bring you down. If you find yourself in a higher position in life then your friends, be humble and don't let pride be the number one character that transpires in you.
Happy Birthday to my best friend of 9years.

What great leaders know and do

http://hrfuturist.com/emerging_leadership/252/

http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/08/for_president_i_want_the_guy_w.html

http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/08/for_those_who_want_to_lead_rea.html

As a leader there are certain things you have to handle and certain things you ignore just to keep your sanity. Not everyday along your journey will be a perfect one. But when that not so perfect day come surround yourself with the right people that will give you the right advice on how to handle it. Sometime I know it's easier to go in your shell and not want to deal with it, but also keep in mind the the sooner you deal with it, the easier it will be.
"The things you fear are undefeatable, not by their nature, but by your approach."....Inspirational Quote by Jewel.

http://www.facebook.com/MissLiberiaInTheUsa201213?ref=hl

Young Liberian Summit/Miss LIB 2012-13

This past week July 26 Liberia celebrated their 165th independence. I was honor to be a guest at my state's celebration and I took part in the grand march for the first time. I must say I felt a little silly being in that line but I was proud to be around my people and see the progress we are making. Being Miss Liberia USA 2012-13 has given me a new out look on my people. sometime we recognize the bad in people and forget to acknowledge the good in them but one thing I will say I love my Boston team. They are pushing me to be the best that I can be and they make me laugh everytime I'm around them. My calander for the year is already made and I can not wait to see what this year and this title has install for me.

Today was my third day of being Miss Liberia in the US 2012-13 and my director's cousin who is a lot older then me express how much I have inspire her to push for her dreams because I have proven to her that you can do whatever you want when you put your mind to it. I hope other women can see me in this light and go after their dreams because life is a process you got to keep moving from one point to another.

http://www.missliberia.us/#! check me at and get more pictures of the Miss Liberia USA Pageant

After my journey as Miss Liberia Mass. Now I am honor to hold the title for the Miss Liberia USA 2012-13. This year will bring a lot of success but I also know that hard work bring success and I am ready to serve my people.

Public speaking can sometimes be scary. First you freeze, second your mind starts to go blank, third you think about running and suddenly, your mouth starts to move and everything starts to fall into place. After speaking with the kids at the African Community Education Program in worcester, I learned that as a motivational speaker one thing you have to be good at is gaining your audience attention. As I stood infront of those kids my first thought was to run out of the room because part of me felt like why should they listen to me anyways, after all their parents always tell them to go to college. Yet again a part of me felt like even though their parents tell them to go to college they still need to hear it from someone else, someone who grew up like them, someone who understands the pressure from family and your surrounding, someone like me. If you are out there and you are from the inner cities please be a role model to the kids and help them stay in school and consider higher education let them know that the resources are available they just have to work hard and not be afraid to ask for help.

Underwear, Directing Traffic and Public Speaking
20032012


Public speaking.  <GULP>  This phrase typically causes panic, knee-knocking and butterflies in a person’s stomach when mentioned.  Or, just plain, old-fashioned F-E-A-R.  Know what I’m talking about?  Good!  Let’s get started.

At one time or another in your life, you’re likely going to be asked to speak in public.  Whether it’s speaking to a group of 2nd graders or Fortune 500 executives, here are a few tips to help you get past the fear and give your best when you’re given the stage.

Adding needless punctuation. Sounds odd, right?  Here’s what I’m talking about:  I went to school with a person who had brilliant ideas, but couldn’t communicate them clearly to a group.  When there was a natural pause, they filled it with “uh” or “um.”  It was almost as if every comma, period or semicolon was replaced with “uh!”  There were even people in the audience that were taking score, adding a tick mark every time the words were uttered.  There were over 200 instances in the 7 minute speech.  Don’t fill your time with needless punctuation.  Instead, take a deep breath, pause for a second or two, gather your thoughts and move on.

Directing traffic.  Have you ever seen someone flail their arms and hands as they speak?  I’ve seen some that look like they’re trying to land Air Force One.  Fact: It’s annoying.  Erratic movement detracts from the content being presented.  Practice your speech or presentation in front of a mirror and you’ll see just how much you’re doing it.  You might even consider recording yourself on video so you can watch the playback to adjust.  Subtle gestures and movements go a long way.  Practice a few movements so you don’t look like a robot when you’re presenting.  You don’t want to land the plane, but you also don’t want your gestures to look forced.

Hiding in plain sight.  You might be more comfortable speaking with a lectern.  Why?  You get to hide behind it, lean on it, there’s a place for your notes or even a spot for a glass of water.  Who wouldn’t prefer that?  Note: A podium is a raised platform on which a speaker stands.  A lectern is the upright object on which he or she places her papers.  Here’s the thing: you can’t always avoid using a lectern to speak more freely from the stage.  It might be the only place that has the microphone.  But, if you can, I would suggest getting out in front and talking directly to, not at, the audience.  For some reason, it’s tougher to do this from behind the lectern.

Mic check: two, three.  Your voice carries.  A microphone isn’t usually warranted when you speak to a group.  We get it – you think you have a big mouth.  I sometimes fall prey to this weakness.  As a former broadcaster, I can typically command a room with my “radio voice.”  Guess what?  I’m not as loud as I think I am.  The people in the back of the room can’t hear as well as the people directly in front of you.  Use the microphone.  I’ll say it again.  Use the microphone.   Yes, you have to.  It doesn’t matter if a few people say they can hear you.  What if they are recording your speech?  We all know how terrible a YouTube video or audio clip is when the person’s voice is muffled or so low you have to crank up the volume.  Your audience will get more from your content if they don’t have to struggle to hear it!

Don’t forget the visuals.  As you’re giving your presentation, think of how a visual representation will help the audience connect with your content.  You might need a few words or bullet points, but know that slides ARE NOT your presentation.  They’re aids.  Not a crutch.  I have a friend who is a wonderful storyteller, commanding the attention of everyone in the audience as he weaves real-life stories and pop culture into his presentation.  Slides?  Yes, he has them.  In fact, during his last keynote, he used over 200 slides for a 30 minute presentation.  Guess what?  His slides don’t make a lick of sense without him telling the story!  So those people who always ask, “Will the slides be available afterwards?” won’t have much to use if they don’t pay attention in real-time.  The caveat in this situation is that it doesn’t apply across the board for everyone.  If you’re giving a financial presentation, you’re probably going to need content with number and figures on your slides, with them needing to be available for reference afterwards.  Each case is unique.

Practice, practice, practice.  Need I say more?  The best way to polish your presentation is to practice it a few times.  Some people are good to go with just one or two run-throughs.  Others need to deliver the entire presentation over and over again.  Ask your friends or family to listen to your presentation, giving you feedback afterwards.  They’ll notice the “um’s” and flailing arms more than you will.  If you don’t have the option of a LIVE run-through, video the speech a few times for later review.

One last piece of advice:  Don’t picture the audience in their underwear.  It’s just weird and I doubt you’ll feel any more comfortable about giving your speech if they’re all in their skivvies in your head.  Did I make you laugh?  :)

What is your best piece of advice regarding public speaking?  Have a funny moment you’d like to share?  Please leave a comment below.  I’d love to hear from you!

Had a good time at the Krao Association Inaugural ball in Worcester on Feb 18th. Always keep in mind that "in order to make a difference internationally you must first make a difference within your community."

On March 17th I will be talking to the kids of the ACE program in worcester about the importance of college education. I hope I impact someone even if it's just one kid to make this investment towards their future.

Sometimes we tend to worry about what we don't have then being thankful for what we do have.Things such as shelter and food are things we take for granted but one thing we fill to understand is that there are people out there that do not have a place to sleep and have to stand in line to get food. Volunteering at Pine Street Inn. this weekend made me realize how blessed I am. I am learning so much on my journey as Ms. Liberia MA.

Everyday is fill with new adventures and journeys. The best part of being alive is knowing that you can live and make choices that will impact your life be it good or bad. Today what choices have you made? Do you think those choices will impact you in a good way or bad way?  Elaine Maxwell once said " My will shall shape the future. Win or loose only I hold the key to my destiny."

Ms. Liberia, Massachusetts Gives Back! “Life's most persistent and urgent question is ‘What are you doing for others?’” MLK Jr. For many in the United States, Liberia is an unknown place hundreds of miles away. Recently crowned as Ms. Liberia, MA; Patience Noah aims to change that. November through December of 2011, we organized a clothing drive to “help keep someone warm this winter”. Thanks to all who donated. On Friday, January 6, 2012, Ms. Liberia, MA donated clothes and blankets to Rosie’s Place, a local shelter for women. Some members of the community accompanied her and they expressed immense joy in donating. Lori, one of Rosie’s directors expressed her thanks and appreciation. She stated, “I know of Liberia but I didn’t know there was a Ms. Liberia.” For a country and its people that have been given so much during our time of need, Ms. Noah understands the need to give back. Why Rosie’s Place? Ms. Noah stated, “It was only fitting as we embark on the journey of women empowerment. Not only is Liberia the first country on the continent of Africa to have the first female president; two Liberian women, including Her Excellency Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011.” Of course, the men are not forgotten. Ms. Liberia and the rest of the community are looking forward to volunteering at the Pine St. Inn on January 21, 2012 from 4-6P.M. She has pledged to stand with all who acknowledge January, a month of service and a time to rededicate ourselves to our community; not just in January but always.

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