New Elementary School

News from The Informer:

 LDS Builds U.S$35,000,00 Modern School in Bong
The Informer (Monrovia)
20 April 2010
The Lutheran Development Service (LDS) in Liberia has constructed a modern school building in the Togbata Community, Zota District, Bong County to provide quality education to hundreds of students, especially the less-fortunate.

The modern elementary school was constructed at an estimated value of thirty five thousand United States dollars, inclusive of contributions from local dwellers through man power and the provision of local materials.

The School which was constructed as the result of an appeal made to the LDS by the local community, was officially dedicated on Friday, April 16, 2010 and turned over to the government of Liberia for the education of school going children in the area.

Presenting the keys to the building, the Executive Director of the Lutheran development Service (LDS) in Liberia, Mr. Joseph S. Binda said the Lutheran Church in Liberia through the LDS remains committed to working with partners aimed at buttressing efforts of the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) of the Liberian government.

Mr. Binda said the LDS is a semi-autonomous Lutheran Church-related NGO that carries out highly quality holistic development programs with emphasis on grass root level development, meanly designed to help the needy and actively work to fulfill basic human needs irrespective of religion, tribe, race, origin, beliefs or political affiliation.

The LDS executive called for unity among the local dwellers, and cooperation between the locals and other organizations to foster development. According to him, development is easily achieved when the people unite their efforts with development partners.

Mr. Binda challenged the citizens and residents of Togbata to take advantage of the modern school building by prioritizing the education of their children.

Receiving the keys to the building on behalf government, the Commissioner of Zota District in Bong County, Mr. Joseph Urey described the construction of the school as timely and important to the education and empowerment of children in the area.

Com. Urey urged the parents to utilize the building by sending their children to school, if they are to remain his friends. According to him, penalty awaits parents who fail to send their children to school.

He also challenged the locals to join efforts with the school authority in maintaining the newly constructed modern school building.

Com. Urey appealed to the Lutheran Development Service to continue to assist them with the construction of additional schools to secure a brighter future for the children.

For his part, the principal of the James Togbata Public Elementary School, William T. M Togba commended LDS for the construction of the building, saying it will go a long way in addressing the educational needs of the students.

Mr. Togba assured that the building will be fully maintained, and called on the parents to champion the education of their children.

Also Speaking, a member of the LDS Board, Rev. Peter D. Kpakela praised Old man Togbata for donating the land to be used for the construction of the school, and also urged parents to prioritize the education of their children.

Rev. Kpakela who is also the Special Assistant to the Bishop of the Lutheran Church in Liberia, said education remains a true transformer in preparing students for nation building.

He pledged the commitment of the Lutheran Church in Liberia to join government and other development partners to improve the welfare of the people.

Meanwhile, the dedication of the James Togbata Public Elementary School was marked by jubilation, with the citizens and residents of the District commending the LDS for the many development programs.

The Lutheran Development Service (LDS) in Liberia is a Lutheran Church-related semi autonomous non-governmental Organization established in January of 2002.

LDS has four thematic areas of operations to include; Agriculture and Food Security, Infrastructure Construction and Rehabilitation, Micro-Finance for Empowerment, and Capacity Building/Skill Training.

Copyright © 2010 The Informer. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).

 

Modern Clinic Will Serve at Least 10,000 People

News from The Informer (Monrovia)

Liberia: 10,000 to Benefit From New Clinic in Kokoya District
D. Kaihenneh Sengbeh
7 April 2010

The Kokoya Administrative District, Bong County, is poised to host a modern clinic that will serve at least 10,000 people for the first time in the district’s history.

Thousands of Liberians living in the district do not have any health facilities to run to during emergencies or when they get sick.

Scores of them die from common curable diseases, not to mention women who die from labor.

The district has never have a health facility and people in need of medication have to hike for at least 25 to 30 kilometer to see a nurse, physician assistant or a medical doctor.

Those who are too old or have no relative to cater to them are left to die in their homes, when they get sick or when traditional herbs fail to heal them, an elderly residents claim.

However, the malady will soon be over, bringing smiles on the faces of the people, when the Rock Crusher Clinic is built and open for service few months hence.

Being constructed at the cost of a little over US$71,000, the Clinic will contain eight rooms for screening, consulting, testing and lab, among others.

It is being built with the County Development Fund as injected in the Bong’s County Development Agenda, the County’s health program and as part of the Millennium Development Village project, officials say.

Touring the recently on a two-day visit to the county, the Deputy Coordinator of the Liberia Reconstruction Development Committee (LRDC), James Kollie, expressed delight.

Mr. Kollie described the project as a “positive step” towards meeting the health needs of the people and realizing the goals of the CDA.

As part of decentralizing development, each county, under the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf-led government has its listed development priories – the CDA, as desired by the people themselves.

Mr. Kollie and officials of the LRDC – a bureau seated in the Ministry of Planning and Economic Affairs responsible to monitor implementation of the PRS – initiated the tour and meetings to evaluate the impacts of the CDF on the people of Bong.

Besides, the visit which took the team to Rock Crusher was also intended to identify challenges in implementing projects under the CDF, and to get feedback from the people on what should be done in the next planning stage that will ward off most of the challenges currently being experienced.

“The construction of this clinic and the idea behind the construction of this clinic came from the County Development Fund of the Kokoya District development action plan,” Mr. Francis Kempeh, a UNDP county development consultant assigned at the Liberia’s Millennium Village project in Kokoya District, said.

“It is indeed a priority by the community…they have been cooperating with the workers and we hope that they can take ownership of it,” Kempeh, who lead the LRDC delegation to the site, disclosed.

Construction started last October and will be completed in the next couple of months.

“There is no clinic or health facility around here. People get health services about 25 to 30 kilometer away, and the construction of this clinic here will bring great relief to thousands of people,” the UNDP consultant said.

There are three administrative districts (Boinsen, Tukpahblee and Kokoya) in Kokoya Statutory District, with a population of 22, 826, according to the 2008 National Housing and Population Census.

Both Boinsen and Tukpahblee have health facilities. With the completion of the one under construction in Rock Crusher, the statutory district will have been at least served with some level of health care delivery.

The development would be registered as a score under the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) – the Government’s overall vision and major strategies for moving toward rapid, inclusive and sustainable growth and development during the period 2008-2011.

The PRS is being implemented between April 1, 2008 and June 30, 2011 at the cost of $1.61bn with four major pillars including enhancing Peace and National Security, Governance and the Rule of Law, Economic Revitalization and Rehabilitation of Infrastructures and Delivery of Basic Social Services.

Health care and delivery is under the fourth pillar: Rehabilitation of Infrastructures and Delivery of Basic Social Services. Contact: 231 6 586 531; dakasen1978@yahoo.com.

Copyright © 2010 The Informer. All rights reserved.

 

Africare-Liberia Helps with Schools (NEWS)

Africare Dedicates 2Schools in Nimba
Publication Date: March 9, 2010 – 12:38am
Updated: March 10, 2010 – 4:50pm
News Section:Education

Mr. Homer cuts ribbon to one of the schools as Africare CR, Seubert and others look on
By: C.Y. Kwanue

On Friday, March 5, 2010, Africare-Liberia, an international non-governmental organization (INGO) working in the country, dedicated two elementary schools it had built in Nimba County.
The two dedicatory ceremonies were held in the towns of Yao-Glarlay in Buuyao District and Gbao-Guehkpanla in Zoe-Gbaa District.

The Economic Growth Team leader at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Liberia, McDonald Homer, represented U.S. Ambassador to Liberia, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, at the two ceremonies.
In his dedicatory remarks, Mr. Homer informed the beneficiaries that the ceremonies were more than just dedication of schools, but rather the celebration of a partnership.
That partnership, he explained, was between the American people through USAID, and the communities. He said it was a proof of what is possible when Liberians take the lead in the development of their country.
According to Mr. Homer, USAID contributed US$18,700 to the construction of the schools and its facilities including the latrines and wells.

The schools and their facilities, he said, are the fruits of USAID’s partnership, which the American people value ‘very highly’.

For his part, Africare Country Representative, Dr. Chris Seubert said his organization greatly appreciates the support from the American people to Liberians, which comes through USAID.

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Copyright Liberian Observer – All Rights Reserved. This article cannot be re-published without the expressed, written consent of the Liberian Observer. Please contact us for more information or to request publishing permission.

 

Phebe Hospital in Bong County declares ‘medical emergency’

Sorry… I’m a day late with this:

Surce: STAR Radio Date: 01 Mar 2010

 Written by Clarence Jackson

The Acting Medical Director of Phebe Hospital in Bong County Dr. Sampson Azu-Akoi has declared a medical emergency in the County. Dr. Azu- Akoi said the medical emergency is a result of the outbreak of measles, laser fever and whooping cough in the central regional County. He said several districts including Jorquelleh, Suakoko, Kokoyah and Zota have been affected. Dr. Azu-Akoi attributed the outbreak to the failure of parents in the area to carry their children for vaccination. The Health Ministry last week confirmed an increase in measles cases in several parts of Liberia and said a vaccination campaign was ongoing. Dr. Azu -Akoi called for more resources to increase the coverage of the vaccination campaign to avoid the spread of the disease to other districts.

With the exception of public UN sources, reproduction or redistribution of the above text, in whole, part or in any form, requires the prior consent of the original source.

The opinions expressed in the documents carried by this site are those of the authors and are not necessarily shared by UN OCHA or ReliefWeb.

 

Clay Ashland/Millsburg Development Projects

Development Project Launched In Clay Ashland
The Inquirer
February 25, 2010
Melissa Chea-Annan
[photo: Rev. Arthur B. C. Wah and some residents of Clay Ashland]

It was a happy moment for Residents of Clay Ashland and Millsburg in Montserrado County, when the Executive Director of the Christian Health Fellowship-Liberia, Rev. Arthur B.C. Wah officially turned over a primary school to them last Saturday.   The philanthropist, who claimed he is not from that community indicated that he felt the need to assist the children in that community by giving them hope for the future and to ensure that they are educated, since it is through education that a nation can be developed.It can be recalled that in December 2009, Rev. Wah paid a courtesy visit to that community and following an assessment in those communities, he assured them that he would carry out some useful development as his way of contributing towards the development programs in the country.  Aad so, in fulfillment of his promises to the residents of Millsburg and Clay Ashland towns, Rev. Wah launched a market, school, and clinic projects, something that brought tears of joy and smiles to the residents of those communities. These projects are expected to prevent the residents from using the St. Paul River as their toilets.

During the launching program, the CHFL boss described the plights of the residents as an abuse of human rights in that they were denied their rights to education, health and security; “and seeing these areas without these basic services, I consider it a violation of your constitutional and human rights,” he added.  Amidst applause from the jubilant residents, Rev. Wah assured them that he will open two clinics for those communities in March this year. He expressed disappointment that these communities are lacking behind in terms of development and so, he urged the county authorities to ensure that funds intended for development be materialized.  Rev. Wah further stressed the need for clinics, schools and roads, among several others in every part of Montserrado County so that residents in other parts of Montserrado County cannot be denied of those basic social services.   The Town Chief of Clay Ashland, James Garway praised Rev. Wah for the efforts he made in ensuring that his promises were fulfilled. He challenged the lawmakers of Montserrado County to emulate the goodwill of Rev. Wah and carry out positive development in their county for the good of the residents, especially the future generation.  The philanthropist Reverend was later petitioned to contest the 2011 elections as Representative for District #13, something he rejected and assured them that his calling is to preach the word of God and give hope to the hopeless.

©2005 – 2010 The Inquirer Online

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Tappita Hospital facility

NEWS

 GOL To dedicate 100-Bedroom Hospital In Tappita
The Inquirer
Feb 10, 2010
[photo: View of Annex Two (West View of the Hospital)]

The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare will July this year, delicate a 100 bed-room Hospital in Tappita, Nimba County.During a joint ( MOH&SW, Chinese, WHO) assessment visit of the Tappita Hospital facility, the Minister of Health, Dr. Walter T. Gwenigale appraised the works undertaken by the Chinese construction team and declared it both tremendous & satisfactory. Dr. Gwenigale further commended the People’s Republic of China for such a great assistance to the people of Liberia, specifically the health care delivery system.  In his statement of thanks to the Chinese Government for the construction of the 100- bed room health facility, the Health Minister cautioned Liberians to be mindful of whom they elect as leader, if such development initiatives will continue across the country.  Dr. Gwenigale, in continuation said, the election of Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in 2005 was not a mistake but rather a sound decision that has yielded significant results through the many development initiatives. He further added that it is only a credible leader that the International Community would overwhelmingly support. In conclusion, the Health Minister reiterated the Government of Liberia’s unflagging financial support for the Hospital.

For his part, H.E. Ambassador Zhou Yuxiao lauded the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for its instrumental role in the process leading to the construction project. Ambassador Yuxiao further explained that the Government of the People’s Republic of China is very interested in the maintenance of the Hospital facility, as it is vital to a sustainable Health care delivery of the Country.  The Ambassador reassured the people of Liberia of his Government’s continuous support to the Health care delivery system of Liberia and stated that the management team of the Hospital will be comprised of Chinese, Liberians and Egyptian professionals.   Also speaking at the joint assessment visit was the WHO Representative to Liberia- Dr. Nester Ndayimirji, who thanked the Government of Liberia for its farsightedness in negotiating the agreement with the Chinese Government to construct a 100- bedroom Hospital for Nimba County and the Liberian populace. In continuation, Dr. Ndayimirji said the construction of the Hospital was a welcoming development for improving Health care delivery of Nimba County and the entire region. He promised WHO’S continuous support for the administration of the Hospital. Speaking for the Chiefs and Elders of Tappita District, Representative Edwin Gaye thanked the Government of Liberia for designating Tappita as the site for the construction project.

In conclusion, Representative GAYE SAID OF Tappita District and Nimba County were grateful to for the Hospital project, which would serve as a significant medium for proper medical treatment of all in the region and county as a whole.  The joint assessment visit was concluded with a dedication of an eight- bedroom clinic in Gbeni Town, Sacleapea District, and Nimba County.

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©2005 – 2010 The Inquirer Online

 

Agricultural Podcasting

Podcasts can inform poor farmers

Lawrence D. Gudza

13 January 2010

 The podcasts are recorded by members of local communities Practical Action Southern Africa, Zimbabwe Podcasts are helping people progress from subsistence farming in Zimbabwe, says Practical Action researcher Lawrence Gudza. People in developing countries often lack information that could transform their economic circumstances. Those in remote parts of Africa, in particular, could benefit from knowledge that would help them move up from subsistence farming to become successful, commercial smallholders.

To do this, they need better, up-to-date information on agricultural production and management, such as how to identify, treat and control livestock diseases and how best to harvest, store and market their crops.

Some African countries, such as Zimbabwe, try to provide this information with agricultural extension services. But these are often under-resourced, uncoordinated and unsustainable. Subsistence farmers rarely receive information when and where they need it, or in a format and language that they understand.

… more

http://www.scidev.net/en/sub-suharan-africa/opinions/podcasts-can-inform-poor-farmers.html WHAT

DO YOU THINK?

 

Boost for Rural Education

From STAR Radio:
US Government provides 3.5 million dollars to boost rural education     
Written by Matthias Daffah    
Friday, 22 January 2010 
STAR Radio

The United States Government has provided three point five million dollar support to the school feeding Program in rural Liberia.

The program is implemented by the Ministry of Education in partnership with the World Food Program.

A release issued said the money was provided through a Congressional supplemental approved last year.

It was intended to mitigate the impact of the global financial crisis in a developing country like   Liberia.

The release said the USAID contribution will fund the distribution of an estimated three months of daily cooked meals to more than thirty thousand rural primary school children.

According to the release about half a million dollars will be used to purchase locally-produced rice from smallholder farmers under the P4P initiative.

P4P is the Purchase-for-Progress a local procurement initiative implemented by the WFP in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and partners.

The rice the release said will go towards the school feeding program as take-home food for girls in grades four to six.

The initiative is intended to encourage families keep girls in school.

 

Eco-Tourism Work

Robertsport Community Works is looking for an Eco-Tourism and Ecology intern to develop, formalize and promote rainforest walks in the coastal rainforest around Robertsport. A full job description is posted online at
http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/av/Internship/147344-203.

Thanks for sending this around. Feel free to contact me with any questions.

Best,
Elie Losleben
Director of Programs
Robertsport Community Works
077-339-647

 

CARI wake-up and Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS)

CARI is so important to Liberia and beyond.  I thought I would share this article I read at Liberia Natural Resource Issues.

Biting the Hand that Feeds

Liberian Observer (http://www.liberianobserver.com)
By Anonymous
Created Jan 8 2010 – 4:45am

One of the important pillars upon which this government is constructing its Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) is by increasing production in the supply of homegrown crops heavily relied upon for daily consumption and subsistence in Liberia.

This policy is designed to increase production in the agricultural sector. Where successful, increased production will be followed by the building of adequate storage facilities, a marketing strategy and improved road conditions to facilitate rapid farm-to-market activities.

At the end of last year, the President was asked about accomplishments made in her government by her various ministries that had directly improved the lives of the people.

The President readily referred to the strides made in the agricultural sector. There were bumper crops of rice, cassava and of other food groups on which the population depends largely for consumption and for revenue generation.

It goes without saying that apart from rice, the population largely relies upon cassava. In its versatility, it can be boiled and eaten with a variety of sauces, or pounded to make fufu and dumboy. Because of our dependence on cassava as one of the staple foods of the nation, a project designed to promote the cassava industry is being carried out at the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) in Suakoko, Bong County.

Several varieties of high yielding cassava in an area spanning 16 acres had been planted. The plan was to distribute the sticks to farmers for planting.

Mysteriously, or shall we say, mischievously, elements in Gbarnga torched the area and destroyed the nursery. Fingers are pointing to subsistence farmers, who use the slash-and-burn method to clear their farmlands.

Authorities at CARI and in Gbarnga need to establish a no-go area where squatters cannot enter; those caught within the no-go area should be held for criminal trespass.

The farmers and community dwellers in those areas bordering CARI should be made mindful that the activities of CARI are intended to improve farmers’ agriculture pursuits, and that therefore, they should be cooperating with the effort – not destroying it. Perhaps it has now become imperative for local governments to monitor and or control slash-and-burn operations.

Community dwellers must be conscious that they too have a responsibility to embrace government efforts and promote programs that are intended to make them stand on their own feet.

Any action that is counter-productive to government’s development efforts and programs is akin to biting the hand that feeds you. A continuation is interpreted as sabotage.

In carrying out its programs, government seeks community and individual cooperation in order to meet the common goal of improving life and raising standard which is the expectation of all Liberians.

Copyright Liberian Observer – All Rights Reserved. This article cannot be re-published without the expressed, written consent of the Liberian Observer. Please contact us for more information or to request publishing permission.
Editorial
Copyright 2009 | Liberian Observer Online | http://www.LiberianObserver.com

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