Bong Blog

Bong County is located smack-dab in the middle of Liberia. About a four hour drive from my home outside Monrovia, this was the destination for my latest Liberian mini-adventure. Jessica, Emily (two of my new team members), our driver Joseph and I made the trek to visit places with very Liberian names like, Gbarnga (pronounced Bonga), Balamah, and Kpatawee (the K is silent). 

Our primary goal was to visit an orphanage that is supported by some friends of ours. Balamah Mission houses over 100 children who were practically starving a few years ago. Today they have a sturdy home, loving care-takers and a new outlook on life. We joined the team of 12 from Orphan Aid for a day of VBS with the kids and a Vision Clinic for the entire community. 

I was able to help out at the vision clinic for a few hours. It was amazing how a quick eye exam and new prescription can totally change the prospects of someone’s future. With a new pair of glasses, some were able to see clearly for the first time in their lives. In the few hours I was registering people we saw almost 100 patients, bringing the total people served to almost 600. While I was helping out at the clinic, (somehow the nurse in me pulled me towards the clinic) Jess and Emily were working their Pied Piper skills on the kids.

 

Ever since I arrived in Liberia I’ve heard of some waterfalls in Bong County. I’ve always wanted to see them, but never had the chance to go out there. When I realized that the falls were only about 30 minutes away from the orphanage I decided we had to go check them out!

The road was a skinny path cut out of the jungle, through rice paddies and palm trees. We found the falls, overflowing the banks due to the recent rains, under one of the biggest trees I have ever seen. After a little exploring, we ate our lunch-- ravioli out of the can-- near the bottom of the falls and then headed home.

road to the falls

Kpatawee Falls

Jess, Em and I at the falls

June in Liberia...

...brings many things. 

Rainy season is here in full swing. There are no longer short bits of rain overnight. Instead, torrential down pours and thunder storms that last 24 hours or more cause getting around town, and staying dry, to be very tricky.

And then of course, school is closing for the year. Graduation season is here. All over town the streets are filled with kids in their graduation attire-- hats, gowns, ribbons, special hair-dos. The only difference is, most of these kids are graduating from Kindergarten. 

Kindergarten graduation is a BIG deal in Liberia. Liberians say it is the first time a child has really accomplished something important. The graduation ceremonies (and gifts) encourage the children to keep working hard in school. 

This week, I was honored to be chosen to present the graduation certificates to the young graduates from the Danny Feeney Memorial School that is connected to the orphanage we work with of the same name. Twelve students, seven who live at the orphanage, were honored for moving up to the first grade. They were presented with gifts and songs, the day even ended with a dance party.

Education has not always been so important in Liberia. During the years of war most of the educated people were forced to flee the country. Schools became a place for children to congregate, but uncertainty, lack of teachers and malnutrition brought book-learning to a complete halt. Many children didn’t get to start school until after the war, which explains why some of the kindergarten graduates this week were as old at twelve. 

I am proud of the kids at Danny Feeney Memorial orphanage and school. A few years ago they were squatting in a old displaced person’s camp. Today they have a home of their own which seconds as the school for over a hundred children each week. 

My co-workers and I at Orphan Relief and Rescue have a lot of hopes and dreams for these kids, including a new school building on their campus, but that takes us to the third thing June brings-- extremely low funds. These summer months are very lean for Orphan Relief and Rescue financially. It is difficult for us to maintain our day to day runnings let alone think about a bigger project like a much needed new school. We trust God to provide all that is needed, but would also like to ask you to consider partnering with us again during this season. Donate here today.

To all graduates, in Liberia or elsewhere around the world, I say congratulations, and keep up the hard work!

(this post was originally published on the Orphan Relief and Rescue blog)

we need your help

This picture makes me so happy. Korpu is happy and healthy, living at her foster home and thriving. All the difficult times and situations we go through every day in Liberia are worth it, even just for this one precious life.

For the last four years I've been working with Orphan Relief and Rescue, diligently trying to advocate, protect and rescue orphaned and abandoned children in Liberia. Children like Korpu. We can only function and operate from God's provision through generous donors. Currently we are in a time of very little giving and we are dangerously close to having to cut back or even stop crucial programs and services to the children that we serve.

I know money is tight. I know the economy is in the toilet, and I hate to ask, but please consider helping us today. We want to continue being a voice with action for children that no one else is helping.

Go to www.orphanreliefandrescue.org and donate today.

Thank you.