Game 4 P.E.A.C.E alumnus Dr. Reverend Miatta Wata Giddings,in Sanoyea, Bong County, Liberia, is a distinguished educator, administrator, and humanitarian. Her parents, Mr. Edward T.M. Giddings Sr. and Mrs. Lorpu Napaye Kollie Giddings, nurtured her in a supportive environment that laid the foundation for her future accomplishments. Currently residing in Philadelphia, PA, Reverend Giddings has made significant contributions to both the United States and Liberia through her extensive work in education, community development, and humanitarian aid.

Reverend Giddings holds a Master of Arts Degree in Education Administration and Supervision from Cuttington University Graduate and Professional Studies in Monrovia, Liberia. Her educational journey is marked by several notable achievements. On February 26, 2023, she received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Ororo Embassy Theological College and the Dominion Mission Theological University in Ghana, West Africa. Her academic credentials also include a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) Degree in Management from the University of Liberia, an Associate of Arts Degree in Accounting from the College of West Africa Junior College of Business Program, and numerous certificates in micro-finance, global women management training, and workshop facilitation.

Reverend Giddings’s professional career is a testament to her dedication to community empowerment and sustainable development. She has served as the Executive Director for several organizations, including the Women, Orphans and Abandoned Children Assistance Program (WOCAP), the Community Empowerment and Sustainable Program (CESP), and the Special Emergency Life Food Program (SELF). Her work with these organizations has involved aiding displaced people, Sierra Leonean refugees, ex-combatants, and war-affected individuals in Liberia.

From 2012 to 2022, Reverend Giddings led WOCAP, implementing projects for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). She currently serves as the gender focus person on the National Steering Committee of the Global Environment Facility and Small Grant Program (GEF/SGP) at UNDP. Her leadership roles also include serving as Principal of Heart of Grace Elementary, Junior & Senior High School in Lower Johnsonville, Montserrado County, Liberia, from 2017 to 2021, and as Communication Officer for the Women’s Empowerment Initiative of Liberia (WEIL) from 2015 to 2017.

Reverend Giddings’s contributions to community development are extensive. She organized and trained 35 women in village saving and loan associations, facilitated leadership training for 78 women leaders of community-based organizations (CBOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and constructed ten palava huts for conflict mitigation between war-affected people and ex-combatants in Grand Cape Mount County. Additionally, she established Smart Minds Academy, a primary school in Liberia, and constructed a six-classroom school at Sapo National Park in Sinoe County, sponsored by the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) Quick Impact project.

Her humanitarian efforts include empowering Sierra Leonean refugees with small business grants, providing micro-loans to over 2,000 low-income earners, and offering life skills training to 212 adolescent girls and young women. These initiatives have been instrumental in promoting sustainability and economic independence in various communities across Liberia.

Reverend Giddings was ordained on November 12, 2017, in Liberia and again on November 25, 2023, by Joy International Ministry in the USA. Her spiritual leadership, combined with her professional expertise, has made her a respected figure in both her local community and internationally. Her diverse skills, including proficiency in MS Office and project management, have enabled her to implement and oversee numerous impactful projects.

In addition to her professional and spiritual achievements, Reverend Giddings is married to Bishop Dr. Darnell Leak, Jr. Their partnership in both life and ministry enhances their combined impact on the communities they serve. Together, they embody a powerful synergy of leadership and service, furthering their mission of faith and empowerment.

In summary, Reverend Miatta W. Giddings’s life and career reflect a profound commitment to education, community development, and humanitarian aid. Her contributions have had a lasting impact on countless individuals and communities, demonstrating the power of dedicated service and leadership. As she continues to work towards the growth and development of institutions in Liberia and beyond, Reverend Giddings’s legacy of empowerment and resilience serves as an inspiration to all.