On 9 October, CAS hosted Liberian Senator Dabah M. Varpilah of Grand Cape Mount Country. Senator Varpilah was in Columbus visiting members of the Liberian community when she requested to visit CAS.  Senator Varpilah also wanted to acquaint herself with the work of CAS and to explore avenues of collaboration between Ohio State and the education and health sectors in Cape Mount.     

She was accompanied on her visit to CAS by leaders of the Liberian community including Mr. Alpha Tongor, the CEO of the Liberian community in Central Ohio.  Mr. Tongor is also a law student at Ohio State. Another community leader in the Senator’s entourage was Mr. Emmanuel Massaquoi, the president of the National Association of Cape Mountinians in the US.  Other members of the community were Hussein Corneh, Dabah Nevins, Lamina Flemister, Chris Mingle and Tata.

The discussions were led by Dr. Ousman Kobo who was later joined by Dr. Fernando Unzueta, the Assistant Vice Provost of the Office of International Affairs. The discussion was very enlightening. Senator Varpilah spoke about the status of maternal health and other healthcare issues in Liberia.  She also discussed infrastructure projects in the interior. The group decided to further the talks while exploring avenues of future collaboration.