My first experience regarding the economic situation was at the airport when I arrived. Custom and immigration workers surrounded me; all of them wanted to help me complete the immigration card, the currency reporting form and other documents.
Also, they wanted money. As a result, I was referred to as "chief or boss man. Even my in-law who came to my rescue ended up taking money from me. People were not ashamed to ask for money.
Some of the people I met told me they had not eaten the "whole day" or since "yesterday" and proceeded to ask me for money. Also, during my visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I encountered an old lady on the sidewalk, who approached me and said she had not eaten that day.
These days there are more people in the streets of Monrovia begging for help. In order to be in the position to assist some of those that I encountered, I had to convert some of my US currency to Liberian currency. I used my Liberian currency to pay for goods and services as well as to assist individuals who needed my assistance. For example, I was told by an acquaintance that if I stood in a busy commercial street like Broad Street in Monrovia for about 45 minutes, I would see people walking up and down the street the whole day hoping to see someone they know to give them money.
I did not conduct this experiment because I did not have the time, but it shows how deplorable conditions have become in our country. Yet, in the midst of all this vast poverty, there are some Liberians, mostly higher government officials, who live very well; some have three to four cars, which includes SUVs, parked in their garages, and have electricity and safe drinking water.
