In 2013, Oretha Menyongar Thomas started work as a janitor at the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection. Since then she has been assigned to various offices including General Service, Human Resource, and Women Empowerment. In 2016, based on her hard work and commitment, she was transferred to the office of the Minister proper where she is now an Office Assistant to the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection. In February 2014, Oretha was awarded a Certificate of Honor as Best Employee of the year 2013. In June 2016, she was awarded as the “Dedicated Employee of the year 2015.”

Oretha was born to Mr. Alfred Menyongar and Mrs. Martha King in 1972. He was later brought to Monrovia in 1982 to go to school. She started her primary education at Daniel E. Howard Elementary School in 1983 and completed her elementary education in 1989. She then enrolled at Matilda Newport Junior High School in 1990. Due to the Liberian Civil war, Oretha could not continue his schooling up until 1994. She restarted her Junior High Studies and completed them in 1997. However, she only restarted her senior high studies from 2005 at Matthew R. Walker Senior High Night School, completing grades 10 and 11 and graduating to 12 grade.

In the year 1998, she got married to Mr. Abesco G. Thomas who passed away in 2018. In 2002, Oretha’s husband was earning a salary too low to sustain the family. She then decided to attend a vocational training program called “LITFO” for six months where she obtained a Certificate of Completion in Soap Making. After her graduation, Orethastarted making soap for sale as an income-generating activity to send her children to school and help support the family.

In 2003, her husband collapsed with pressure and suffered a minor stroke. Due to his illness he was no longer able to work full-time so Oretha started selling food at the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in 2004. After she noticed that her business was not moving as expected, she decided to apply as a janitor at the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in 2013 where she was accepted and started work.

Since she started working at the Ministry, she has been assigned to the following offices: General Service, Human Resource, and Women Empowerment for a period of three years (2013-2015). In 2016, based on her hard work and commitment, she was transferred to the office of the Minister proper.

Watch the inspiring short film on Oretha below.