Liberian Radio Stations Play Girl's Song About COVID-19
2020-05-11
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1The voice is strong, and the words are sung with purpose: "Let's protect ourselves to save our family and our country; let's stop the public gatherings."
2The singer? She is nine-year-old Joselia Kollie.
3Her song can be heard on Liberian radio stations.
4And health officials are praising her efforts.
5Joselia said she wanted to do her part to stop the spread of COVID-19 because "whenever bad things happen, we, the children, will always suffer."
6Liberia is still rebuilding its public health system after battling Ebola Virus Disease.
7The Ebola epidemic killed 4,810 people between 2014 and 2016.
8Joselia Kollie lives in Gbarnga, Liberia, 180 kilometers from the capital of Monrovia.
9She told The Associated Press "I believe this song will help fight the virus because the song says prevention.
10We need to prevent ourselves from coronavirus by washing our hands, not shaking hands and not sneezing on one another," she said.
11Joselia began singing at the age of three.
12She recently told her mother she wanted to do a song about fighting coronavirus.
13"God called her to (do) certain things and she wants to fulfill her destiny," said Amanda T. Kollie, herself a gospel singer.
14Her mother helped her write the song, which was recorded in a local production house and then sent out to radio stations.
15The song makes Liberians remember how much the country has been through.
16"Some years back, we suffered from a civil war, we suffered from Ebola that took away many lives," she sings.
17"This time around, it's coronavirus - coronavirus is so terrible."
18Joselia has already done a lot in her young life.
19She was just six when her parents helped her set up a group to help friends stay in school when their families faced financial difficulties.
20The aid group, Build My Future Foundation, is now helping five girls and two boys in rural Liberia.
21Francis Kateh is Liberia's top doctor and a leader in the battle against COVID-19.
22The chief medical officer said he was "overwhelmed with gratitude" for Joselia's effort.
23Long-time radio presenter and reporter Patrick Okai also offered high praise for the girl's song.
24"The message is powerful" he said, "especially with the chorus line that says, 'prevention is better than cure.'"
25I'm Bryan Lynn.
1The voice is strong, and the words are sung with purpose: "Let's protect ourselves to save our family and our country; let's stop the public gatherings." 2The singer? She is nine-year-old Joselia Kollie. 3Her song can be heard on Liberian radio stations. And health officials are praising her efforts. 4Joselia said she wanted to do her part to stop the spread of COVID-19 because "whenever bad things happen, we, the children, will always suffer." 5Liberia is still rebuilding its public health system after battling Ebola Virus Disease. The Ebola epidemic killed 4,810 people between 2014 and 2016. 6Joselia Kollie lives in Gbarnga, Liberia, 180 kilometers from the capital of Monrovia. 7She told The Associated Press "I believe this song will help fight the virus because the song says prevention. We need to prevent ourselves from coronavirus by washing our hands, not shaking hands and not sneezing on one another," she said. 8Joselia began singing at the age of three. She recently told her mother she wanted to do a song about fighting coronavirus. 9"God called her to (do) certain things and she wants to fulfill her destiny," said Amanda T. Kollie, herself a gospel singer. 10Her mother helped her write the song, which was recorded in a local production house and then sent out to radio stations. 11The song makes Liberians remember how much the country has been through. 12"Some years back, we suffered from a civil war, we suffered from Ebola that took away many lives," she sings. "This time around, it's coronavirus - coronavirus is so terrible." 13Joselia has already done a lot in her young life. She was just six when her parents helped her set up a group to help friends stay in school when their families faced financial difficulties. The aid group, Build My Future Foundation, is now helping five girls and two boys in rural Liberia. 14Francis Kateh is Liberia's top doctor and a leader in the battle against COVID-19. The chief medical officer said he was "overwhelmed with gratitude" for Joselia's effort. Long-time radio presenter and reporter Patrick Okai also offered high praise for the girl's song. 15"The message is powerful" he said, "especially with the chorus line that says, 'prevention is better than cure.'" 16I'm Bryan Lynn. 17Jonathan Paye-Layleh reported this story for The Associated Press. George Grow adapted it for VOA Learning English. Bryan Lynn was the editor. 18________________________________________________________________ 19Words in This Story 20epidemic - n. when an infectious disease spreads to many people in a community 21sneeze - v. to suddenly expel air from the nose and mouth 22destiny - n. the events that will necessarily happen to a given person or thing 23gospel - adj. related to the teaching of Christianity 24overwhelm - v. to have a strong emotional effect on 25gratitude - n. thanks 26chorus - n. part of a song that is repeated; a large organized group of singers 27We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.