(Note: I posted about this the other day, but I only put up one image. I have a bit more time on my hands today, so I thought I’d put the rest up here as well.)

BBC: West African Teddies

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On the streets of Monrovia, the capital of the small West African country Liberia, everything is for sale: second hand clothes, kitchenware and shoes from China, and used stuffed animals donated by Westerns.

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A little boy in Monrovia proudly displays his Beanie Baby. Soccer is as popular in Liberia as stuffed animals are, so this one is a prized toy shared by several neighborhood kids.

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Adults love stuffed animals too – especially the giant ones usually given away as carnival prizes. These two are for sale for about £13 each.

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A man changing a tire on a shared taxi has many “teddies” on his dashboard. Though they are all different animals, Liberians call each of them teddy.

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Most shared taxis in town are very decorated and stuffed animals are a common feature on dashboards around town.

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A group of kids proudly displays a very loved teddy bear. Most are donated to charities in the West, who resell those they cannot donate in bulk.

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In the same warehouses where vendors purchase used clothes, many bags of used teddies also sit around waiting to be purchased. A vendor can buy the bag for about £20.

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Individual teddies will sell from £1 to £10, depending on the size and condition.

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The secondhand teddies show some signs of wear and tear, but most Liberians love them anyway. They are popular gifts for birthdays, graduations, holidays, and even weddings.

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