Who We Are
ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF KONOLA ACADEMY (AFKA) – WHO WE ARE
Konola Academy is a private, boarding high school located in Liberia,
West Africa owned and operated by the Seventh-Adventist Church.
Beginning as a mission in 1935, “Konola Mission” was established in the
1940’s, 62 miles from Monrovia, the nation’s capital. This 87-acre site
was near a small river named Kono. Konola means "the place of Kono"
or "mouth of the river Kono." After World War II, the name was
changed to "Konola Academy" and became a co-educational institution
(admitting girls) by the early 1950’s. Through the years, many
missionaries from all over the world have served on the Konola campus
as teachers, pastors, administrators and principals. The school has
always been known as one of the best schools in Liberia. From K-12,
Konola hosts an average of 300 boarding and day students annually.
The Alumni and Friends of Konola Academy or “AFKA”, is a non-profit
organization comprised of several former students and faculty of
Konola Academy who were fortunate enough to have experienced the
spirit of the famed Academy.
History of Liberia
Liberia was founded by freed slaves from the United States of America
in 1822. The oldest republic in Africa, it was declared an independent
country in 1847. For decades, Liberia was known as one of the most
well-to-do countries in the subcontinent due to natural resources that
contributed to the economic development of the country. The History
of Liberia is a rich, varied one, with ties to the United States throughout
its inception. Much of Liberia’s cities and national artifacts closely
mirror that of the United States.
Liberia has been plagued off and on with civil unrest since 1980, with
the worst fighting erupting into a long, devastating 15-year Civil War
from 1988 through 2003. It was a horrific period for the country as
upwards of 250,000 people were slaughtered and up to one millionpeople were displaced all from a country that has averaged a
population of just 2.5 million people.
History of AFKA
Starting in September of 1988, in Toledo Ohio, Mr. Leonard Washington
called upon former alumni of Konola Academy to discuss how they
could best help Konola Academy, focusing on infrastructural changes
and helping the school to recover from the impact of the then
beginning Civil War. Besides Mr. Leonard Washington, individuals who
were called include Mr. and Mrs. Willie Levette, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest
Cassell, Mr. John Dadize, Mr. George Wesley, Mr. Lindsay Deline, Mr.
Galimah Bassah, Mr. Bobby Perry, Mr. Katrick Taylor. The group was
initially called the Konola Academy Student Association, and the first
reunion was held in Toledo, Ohio. Mr. Washington was the first
President of the Association and the second reunion was held in
Providence, Rhode Island. Mr. Ernest Cassell later became the next
president.
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Two years after the Association was started, more members joined,
including former students, friends, and family of Konola Alumni. Mr.
Washington thought it wise to change the name of the Association and
it was agreed upon by all to be changed to the Alumni and Friends of
Konola Academy or AFKA, as it remains today.
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AFKA Today
We must acknowledge that Konola Academy is a Seventh-day Adventist
institution that helped to prepare us to be the men and women we are
today. AFKA today, is a diverse group of individuals from various
backgrounds, religions, cultures, economies, etc., who accept and
respect one another for who they are, while attempting to maintain the
values of Konola. AFKA members possess unique skills and talents and
share one common theme - “An undying Passion for Konola Academy.”
Not all AFKA members are members of Seventh-day AdventistChurch. However, during our reunion events, we like many other
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alumni organizations adhere to and cherish several of the traditions we
all shared at Konola Academy, including prayer, church programs, social
events, etc.
AFKA Members have two common goals – 1. With a focused,
concentrated effort, support Konola Academy financially, physically,
and in any way possible. 2. Seek out, meet and socialize with other
Alumni and Friends of Konola Academy and share experiences with
unity and respect.
Call for Help
AFKA is a Non-Profit 501 (C)(3) organization. To help support students
who annually attend Konola Academy, please write a check or money
order payable to “AFKA” or logon to www.konola.org. You can also
sponsor students on Konola Academy. Please contact AFKA's current
Treasurer, James Lombeh at 651-428-3778. All donations are tax
deductible.
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For more information and a video discussing the History of Konola
Academy and a look into a typical AFKA Reunion, visit this video on
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