Liberia, West Africa- The Unfortunate Truth of Why We Exist
Many people ask why we focus our efforts in Liberia, West Africa, currently the world’s 4th poorest country according to Global Finance. The short answer is simple. Our Founder felt led by God to take on a mission to repair the lives of broken orphans, but to be clear on why our work is needed so much, here are a few facts/stats.
WAR BEGINS
Between 1989–2003 two Civil Wars were fought and over 250,000 men, women, and children were killed, while thousands more were mutilated and raped, often by armies of drugged child soldiers led by ruthless warlords. This left behind a tornado of devastation as the country was set back many years by this destruction. Thankfully the women of Liberia formed a group (WIPNET) that would ultimately end the war, and start the rebuilding process of millions of Liberian’s.
THE PAST STILL LINGERS
The war is over, but the hundreds of thousands of gun shells still remain, and not to mention the broken hearts of millions across the country. How can you move on from such a recent, vivid event? Where do you start to rebuild? How do you start to rebuild knowing that thousands of war soldiers are roaming around villages trying to fit in and be normal again? I don’t have an answer, and there are still thousands of people who were impacted drastically that will hold everything in, and keep all emotions bottled up because they don’t have many other options. The primary focus now goes back to feeding and taking care of your family.
10 YEARS… THEN EBOLA
Ten years pass, and Liberia has one of its best years economically bringing in 8.7 billion dollars (Still the 4th poorest in the world). Then another War hit in 2014. The “Ebola War.”
According to World Health Organization (WHO), Ebola is described as “a severe, often fatal illness in humans.” Although the natural reservoir of Ebola virus still remains unknown, it seems the most likely carrier to be are bats(Dr. Tomislav Mestrovic).
It all started Dec 6th, 2013 with one two-year-old boy. With no idea to know what caused the painful death the family grieved until their own lives were taken from the virus. What started with one now made its way across several other countries, racking up a total 11,300 people, 4,809 of those were in Liberia.
The virus did not pick favorites. It took mothers, children, fathers, and more. Leaving behind devastation only too familiar to the Liberian people.
After Ebola had run its course, it left 16,000 children without their parent(s), making it near impossible for that child to eat or get medication, yet alone go to school.
Today, we have access to a lot of these children (now orphans) who lost their parents from the war or Ebola. They have all landed in an orphanage, and they all share beds, water, and what little food they have. When we meet them, they don’t beg us for a bite to eat, or money. They simply want to hold our hand and feel loved like every child should feel.
To summarize, we exist because…
- God has called us.
- The wreckage Liberia has gone through.
- Because there are still thousands of beautiful children that just need to be fed, medicated, educated, and loved.
And together, we can accomplish just that.
Website: www.orphanaidliberia.com
Call us: 770–547–6171
