The Path of Tenderness for a Child's Sake

The Path of Tenderness for a Child's Sake features real-life stories based on the lives of children of war in Liberia. The tales take us through the struggles of broken dreams, family, friendships, and love.



Dreams do come true, four-year-old Maddy believed. But when darkness and betrayal took over her world, her shooting star disappeared and her dreams melted away. Her beautiful childhood wishes disappeared and she began to battle the many challenges ahead. The voice of an old friend reminded her, "Dreams do come true to those who make their wishes deep within their hearts."



"As we waited for our situation to improve so we could return home, we were discouraged to find that it actually got worse. Every night, people continued to cross the border to escape the war, and many settled in our village. They were mostly all women and children. From the newcomers, we heard Liberia was occupied by rebels who were going from house to house, killing all the soldiers. Although we never received any word, I was terrified for my father."



As a teenager, Marthaline D. Shar dedicated herself to helping others. As an adult, she helps single mothers and children in Liberia, West Africa. She reaches out with a foundation that creates job opportunities for the hopeless in a society of increasing poverty. Her foundation builds a platform to eradicate poverty through the creation of jobs, helping the disabled and homeless children. The author grew up in Liberia as an orphan. She came to the United States as a refugee, went to school in Rhode Island, and now lives in Iowa with her family.