Tribute to a Mentor — The Quiet Sacrifice That Changes a Student’s Life

Voices Magazine features a tribute by Jamesetta Howard Wolokolie that focuses on education, struggle, and mentorship, rooted in lived experience at the University of Liberia.

The tribute begins with a hard reality: the writer’s supporters—her mom and aunt—did not have the financial means to fully fund tertiary education. The writer describes entering university while relying on encouragement and deferred payments until money could be raised.

The Promissory Note: A Risk Someone Else Took

One of the most striking details is the system described for deferred registration: an instructor or employee working with the university had to sign a promissory note on the student’s behalf, promising the fees would be paid within a month. If the student did not pay within the month, the fees would be cut from the instructor or employee’s salary.

The writer expresses gratitude that her mom often met the obligation within the month, and states she is eternally grateful to Dr. Dwamina, who was one of the instructors who signed the promissory note on her behalf when it was most needed. The tribute emphasizes that he believed she had potential and should remain at the university to pursue her studies.

A Teacher Who Loved the Work

The tribute describes meeting Dr. Dwamina in the English Department and portrays him as a brilliant and passionate instructor whose excellent presentation made the writer eager to attend his classes. It notes the writer’s participation in class debates and her vivid memory of lectures and discussions.

A Lesson That Became a Life Guide

The writer recalls poetry recitations and dramatizations, and highlights one poem that impacted her most and became a life and professional guide: Wole Soyinka’s “A Tiger Does Not Proclaim Its Tigritude,” described as emphasizing modesty and letting achievements and ability speak for a person.

The tribute closes this section by remembering the dedication and commitment of instructors like Dr. Dwamina, and the emotional weight of reflecting on that learning atmosphere.

Closing: This tribute shows mentorship as real action—someone taking a risk, offering belief, and shaping a student’s path through teaching, guidance, and practical support when it mattered most.