Liberian Project 2008
Several months ago, we received this poignant e-mail from Joan West of Liberty Christian Center (LCC) in California:
"Our church is doing missions work in Liberia, Africa, and currently we send monthly support to six orphanages. All our money buys is 1/2 cup of rice per day per child and some oil for cooking. The meal is supplemented with roots and fruits when available. This provision is nutritionally bankrupt and we need to find a solution to the nutrition problem." view photo gallery
seeing the need firsthand
Feed The Hungry's Director of Logistics Bob Boucek went to Liberia to see the need up close.
What he found was a nation valiantly trying to recover from 14 years of brutal civil war that left most of the country without electricity, running water, basic sanitation, and health care. Liberians are determined to grow into peace and stability, but they have precious little to work with.
Bob visited eight orphanages. Since our initial contact with LCC, they'd already identified two more groups of children in urgent need of help.
He met dedicated staff members caring for kids with almost no resources:
"Some walk kilometers for clean water. Others have buildings falling down around their ears. Not one child has a toy they can call their own. But through it all, they maintain a strong message of God's love, providing spiritual nourishment even when food is absent.
And the children -- some terribly thin, many suffering with worms because health care is impossible to get, and often battling the fevers of malaria for the lack of a few simple mosquito nets."
a developing situation
Bob realized that we had to do so much more than just feed these children. They desperately need to see God's love in action -- repairing buildings, digging wells, and providing resources for their health, education, and spiritual development.
Here's what we need to do to help the 600 orphaned children we've "adopted" in Liberia:
- Dig four new water wells and repair others: $3,000/ each well
- Send nutrition-based food supplies for 12 months: $3.20 per child
- Food supplies for a child for an entire year: $38.40
- Provide beds and bedding for kids sleeping on the floor: $100 / for every 2 children
- Install proper sanitation and latrines: $9,000
- Rehabilitate cracked walls and foundations: $60,750
- Purchases needed school supplies: $10 per child per year
- Provide garden tools and seeds to grow vegetables: $6,000
HELP A LIBERIAN CHILD
Pastor Allan says, "The trauma of war is still in their minds and in their hearts [when the children come to us]." They'll need safety, love, and plenty of nurturing to overcome what they've suffered already in their young lives.
