Before the U.S. Civil War brutally settled the issue of slavery, more than 1,500 freed and free-born Black Americans created a settlement in West Africa, where they had liberty. They called it Liberia, and even adapted the U.S. flag to represent it. Today, Liberia has just come through a catastrophe.

The Ebola virus ravaged families and left a broken economy of survivors. CTV'ss Kayla Hounsell travelled to Liberia, a country which now stands as an example to the world of what's possible, when politics is swept aside and people unite to help.

Includes W5 Extended Interview:

Abdul Sirleaf lost 7 family members to Ebola is just 2 days. He discusses the devastating impact the virus has had on his family.