8 Nov, 2013
Monrovia, Liberia

Dressed in formal attire black tailored pant and blue shirt, Furtemba was hardly recognizable. Always seen with his flags adorned t-shirt and shorts, but today was a special day for him. He had received an invitation from the office of the Vice President of Liberia for an audience with the honorable Vice President Joseph N. Boakai. Sherpa with his Nepali friends Rajesh and Manita Aryal and Sackie a local friend from the United Nations office, who had facilitated for this meeting, headed towards the capital building, the VP office.

Though a bit overwhelmed, Furtemba looked quite thrilled. During the course of the meeting, honorable VP seemed very interested on Sherpa’s bicycle journey and asked him the purpose of his journey. Furtemba humbly replied that the sole purpose was to spread the message of Peace and Harmony and also to spread the message of environmental awareness/ protection. Honorable Boakai, who himself is a strong advocate of peace unequivocally supported his cause.

Hon’ Boakai also inquired Furtemba the reason for selecting Liberia as his milestone 100^th country. Furtemba was quite prompt to respond stating that his desire to be in a country, commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement; signifying a decade of uninterrupted peace. Secondly, his desire and dream of meeting the first elected female president , who is also a noble prize laureate for her relentless contribution towards Peace building has paved his way to make it his 100^th country of tour.

During the occasion, along with a letter of gratitude Furtemba presented the VP with a “Khada” (a traditional ceremonial scarf) which symbolizes purity and compassion; along with a poster of the Himalayan range: pride of Nepal with Mount Everest soaring high. Hon’ Boakai quite inquisitively asked how many of the world’s highest peaks where in Nepal. Proudly the Nepalese delegation boasted that eight out of the fourteen eight thousander are located in the country.

With a big smile on his face, overjoyed Furtemba concluded the audience with the honorable VP stating that the journey that had started from the birthplace of Buddha coming to Liberia as his 100^th country and receiving such warmth and hospitality from the Liberian people; encouraging words from the VP himself has given more motivation and inspiration to continue his journey forward.

Manita Aryal is a personnel at Food and Enterprise Development Program for Liberia and has been very important for me to share my message of peace and environment in Liberia. I must mention the support of  Rashid Mohammad Iraqi, Prutus Sackie and Elizabeth Dempster for an opportunity to meet His Excellency. 

Peace And Harmony
Furtemba Sherpa