Nurse Korlu Jallah at Kingdom Embassy School, Bernard Farm, Liberia
Our mission work in Liberia continues to contribute so many positive benefits for the community of Bernard Farm and the students and families of Kingdom Embassy School. The main initiatives supported by Westminster Presbyterian Church members are :
- Scholarships for forty-nine students
- Nutrition program serving two healthy meal each week
- Interest-free Micro Loan program for villagers
- Support for children orphaned by Ebola
- A part-time Registered Nurse for “Sick Call” and health education
- Modest monthly stipends for our Liaison and nurse
Scholarships: Students receiving scholarships would not otherwise be able to attend school. They live in a poor village in the suburbs of Liberia’s crowded capital, Monrovia. Most parents are either subsistence farmers or vendors in small open-air markets. The majority of recipients continue to do work rated as satisfactory or better.
Nutrition Program: A nutrition program was started in 2021 and feeds sixty-five youngsters from kindergarten to first grade, as well as several needy preschoolers. Our nurse reports that participants are healthier than in previous years. While we began the program targeting this age group, we hope to eventually expand to serve higher grades as well.
Interest-free microloans are very popular and the repayment rate has been quite impressive. Parents of students can apply to borrow up to $100 dollars (U.S. equivalent) and agree to a repayment schedule. Most borrowers use funds for their small businesses to earn enough for school tuition, medicine, and general family support. The loan fund has a $1,000 balance.
Children Orphaned by Ebola: We are now supporting only three of the original group of eleven children who were orphaned during the 2014-15 Ebola epidemic. Mary F., one of the original eleven, is now in her mid-twenties and cares for two younger siblings. We paid Mary’s tuition for cosmetology school from which she recently graduated and she is now working and focusing on building up her cosmetology business. Westminster provides Mary with a monthly stipend to support the cost of rent and food for the family. The youngsters all attend Kingdom Embassy School.
Medical Care: Nursing visits funded by Westminster provide first aid for students and staff. This is very helpful and impactful as most parents cannot afford treatment for their children and there is very limited access to quality healthcare near Bernard Farm.
Computer Literacy: Our work in Liberia also includes periodic support for the computer lab. We outfitted it in a new classroom building for which we provided the bulk of funding. We also ship barrels of refurbished computer equipment to the Kingdom Embassy school as we are able. These barrels are also filled with suitable used clothing as well as school and personal hygiene supplies.
Stipends for Staff: We send monthly stipends to Joseph Dorbor Kpangbala and Korlu Jallah, RN. Joseph has served as our eyes and ears on the ground for over a decade and is a great asset to us as he can help ensure proper use of the funds we send for these programs. Nurse Korlu not only tends to cuts, scrapes, sprains, and various illnesses but also provides periodic educational classes on various health issues. She also oversees the nutrition program.
Generous donors make this all possible!
Our committee thanks all our donors for your unwavering support. Your contributions continue to transform the lives of children in Liberia, Ghana, and Sierra Leone.
May God Bless You!
African Family Night – September 21, 2024
African Family Night is a great way for the community to come together and support mission projects undertaken with our partners in Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. All projects aim to help build brighter futures for vulnerable children through vital health and education services. To continue offering these services, our goal is to raise $15,000 this year.
This is sure to be a special evening with a time for:
- joining with old and new friends to enjoy fabulous food,
- dancing to African drumming,
- … and more!
Come join in our fashion show featuring traditional African attire!
Donations are gratefully accepted.
Your generous support is needed now and throughout the year. Whether we are getting ready for an African Family Night or working with our partners throughout the year, contributions are always most gratefully accepted online at any time (wpcalbany.org/give) or by sending your check to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 85 Chestnut St., Albany, NY 12210 (“African Mission” on the memo line).
And please stay tuned! We regularly post updates on the blog page of our website. Please help us keep you up-to-date by making sure we have your most current and preferred email address by notifying the Church Office at office@wpcalbany.org or calling 518-436-8544.
Join us in transforming the lives of children in Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
