What is your job title and what is role in working with Small World?
I am referred to as the Country Director for Small World Adoption Agency in Liberia. My role includes working with different sectors of Liberia communities, pre-identifying, and screening children brought to the Small World orphanage home, investigating child eligibility for possible placement into the Liberia adoption program, working with surviving parents, guardians, healthcare institutions, the Ministry of Gender, and Children and Social Protection. I provide supervision for the orphanage home as well as providing medical support. One of the most important parts of my role includes receiving prospective adoptive parents when they arrive in country, briefing them on the activities while in Liberia and guiding them through these activities to complete the adoption.
How long have you been working with Small World?
I have been working with Small World since 2016 up to present. Five years running the Liberia in country program, and I see it as an honor in answering God’s call.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
When I am entering the Small World orphanage home, all the kids run to me, and I have to hug all of them one by one. This gives me joy to see. Secondly, seeing a child being adopted (especially when the Probate Court judge signs the court decree, and the US embassy approves their i600 for the adoption)!
How have you grown personally from working with Small World and with their families?
I have grown personally in my spiritual journey working with Small World. My work with Small World has increased my perseverance and patience in dealing with issues and situations that sometimes looks impossible to accomplish. With daily reliance on God’s grace and directions, I overcome challenges that come in the way of the work we do.
Interacting with the Small World families that come to Liberia, has been amazing to the extent that I learn new things, and get to see how God is working in other people’s lives. I see these families as extraordinary people living in extraordinary ways in their humanity and answering God’s command to the Great Commission.
Why do you love adoption?
My love for adoption comes from longtime prayers and the desire to help children devastated by family losses and abandonment, which was my original dream when I founded a local nonprofit organization “Action for Children in Crisis International” in 2008 and began reaching out to disadvantaged youth and children on the streets in Liberia.
What is a memorable story and how you have seen God move through Small World?
When I first joined Small World in 2016, I thought adoption work was just small working activities (just as the name Small World looks) and we rented a one room house and constructed a wire fence around it, but eventually had to start all over to find a suitable place for our transition home by going around again from community to community. But because God was in what we started, it did not take long to find another place, where we are today. I am very thankful for Small World’s support, especially Jimbo has been very supportive for the Liberia program.
Why is the Liberia program so important?
The Liberia program is important as a result of looking back on the country’s recent history: from 14 years of civil war, the Ebola outbreak, and the increasing rates of poverty and unemployment causing the alarming rate of teenage pregnancy, and abandonments of unwanted pregnancy and children which leads to the detriment of innocent children.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
My favorite Bible verse is HEBREWS 12:2, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the JOY that was set before Him endured the CROSS, despising the Shame, and is set down at the Right Hand of the THRONE of God.
I thank all of you for your support and prayers for the work that I do in helping God’s children in Liberia! I love you all but remember that God loves you the most!
Many blessings and love,
Albert K. Ballah
Country Director
Small World Adoption Agency-Liberia