Women Changing the World

The Oprah Winfrey Show | May 17, 2006

Before the war in Liberia, there were more than 2,000 schools. But when the fighting ended, 80 percent of them had been destroyed. Now only half of all the children in Liberia are able to attend school—and for the children who do, it is a struggle.

Nine-year-old Musu is one of the fortunate girls in Liberia. She attends a private school in Monrovia. But during the last days of the war, a rocket blast ripped off her hand. Having a daughter with a physical handicap make Musu's parents even more determined to make sure she gets an education. They make a few dollars a month growing and selling potato greens. But from year to year, they never know if they will have enough money to keep Musu in school.

Their hard work is paying off. Musu says she loves school, and has learned to write well. "When I grow up, I want to be a doctor," she says. "I want to be a doctor because a doctor helped me with my hand."

Thanks to President Johnson-Sirleaf, Musu is here to say hello—all the way from Liberia!