As we are far from all the good things and comfort that home can offer, instead we make our mission area as our second home. A home far away from home. We have our dearest family staying at home-front, while peacekeepers, both military and civilians serving at UNMIL is making ourselves family to one another. As one colleague came back from home-leave, they often bring a little taste of home and share to us from time to time, to include some new-released DVDs of either blockbuster movies, or great TV series in the format of DVD-discs. One of the TV shows that both gave me some taste of home, is shows like the Idols, from the American Idols to those other franchised of locally made idols search. I surely laughed and at the same time amazed by their voice-talents and guts for those of whom confidently sang out-of-tunes, but kept on going till the judges dismissed them out the auditioning room.

Here at UNMIL, the peacekeepers also do have abundance of talent, to include the golden voice and some degree of performing on stage accompanied by the melody of music arrangement. Since 2008, I think, the mission, through the brilliance of colleagues at UNMIL Staff Welfare Committee have been presenting a talent show named “The UN Idols” and always turned out to be a success, and indeed an entertaining event that most mission’s staffs are looking forward into. Though there won’t be a singing contract nor advertising endorsement right after, or any abundance in cash prizes, both the contestant and audience really found a great enjoyment as well as becoming their huge fan afterwards.

It was 9 April 2010, the stage was set, the lights are installed, the band was ready and tuning their instrument. UNMIL Logistics Base, known as starbase has always been the perfect venue to host this event. It was a perfect evening, with stars appear to sparkle in the background of the sky, the sunset orange rays really pain the sky vividly to welcome the performance of 2010’s UN Idol to impress both the judges and audience.

As the audience; Civilian staffs, Military contingent members and all VIPs arrived, the parking lot was turned into an open-air concert field. It was such a relaxing moments to see everyone greeted one another and really felt the festivity of the program as they get seated for the show.

The opening song was presented by the Liberian Singer who won last year’s A star is born contest, the mood was set by the melody and almost all eyes were on stage captured by the golden voice of her;

Allow me to share you some of the frozen captured moments of how the event went through.. and let the pictures speak the thousand words:

Here are some of the contenstants:

One huge fan of the contestant is admiring her performance;

And here is the front row’s audience:

Covering most of every scene during the live event, it did gave me some exhaustion therefore, I seek refuge to the cafeteria for some refreshment as well as chicken barbecue, enough to gave me more energy to run-around shooting the event. The cafeteria was packed with soldiers and contingent member, whose hungry after performing their stage show, as well as their crew member as clearly seen from these shots:

I would want to embarrass myself to participate next year and got thrown by tomatoes or empty soda cans for singing out-of-tunes. Let me sing while shower only.

At the end of the show, as all winners were announced, the head of the mission, to include 2nd and 3rd runner-ups. (More photos are available —-> here)

The UN Idol 2010 event, is indeed another way for us to appreciate and celebrate the peace-process in Liberia, through presentation of singing talent and making staffs closer to one another while on duty in Liberia, making their mission assignment a less stressful one. All in all, it was a great show, and staffs were really enjoyed the event, and seriously, a great number of them really do can sing! – to the staff welfare committee, I thank you for making this event another success.