BOOKS AND SUPPLIES FOR CHILDREN IN LIBERIA
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There is a
critical need for books, crayons, children reader books, diapers, and supplies
for the children of Liberia. The civil war has left many children orphaned and
homeless. Relief centers have been established to care for orphans, adolescent
single mothers, ex-combatants, abandoned, and neglected children. The children
of Liberia are vulnerable to the lack of food, clothing, and shelter. While
delivering rice to an orphanage, Rev. Emile Sam-Peal reports that a large group
of children had only one coloring book to share. He found the teacher tearing
out one picture, which was shared. The children were coloring with the remnants
of crayons that were barely enough to hold. Liberia is situated on the west
coast of Africa and has recently emerged from a fourteen-year civil conflict.
There is no electricity, running water, functioning toilets, or improved roads.
There are food shortages and medical care is inadequate.
Liberia is among the nations most vulnerable to food insecurity. For the past
ten consecutive years, the UNDP classified Liberia as one of the worlds poorest
nations based on the Human Development Index. The 2.5 million inhabitants have
an average annual per capita income of $120. USD. Life expectancy is 46 years
and the literacy rate is 5% for women and 10% for men. Ninety percent of all
Liberians live below the poverty level and 50% of those are categorized as
extremely poor. Ninety percent of the population is engaged in agriculture, with
planting and harvesting limited due to fighting during the resent conflict. A
recent study determined 85% of the available cattle and poultry (local chicken),
goats, sheep and pigs owned by the local communities were all destroyed during
the past seven-year period of the civil war.
Children's books, crayons, coloring pencils, children's reader books, diapers
and supplies are being collected for shipment to Liberia. You can donate
supplies or make a contribution to purchase needed books and supplies.
Contributions
may be sent to: The Liberia Fund
Browntown Baptist Church
12 Browntown Rd.
Browntown, Va. 22610
You can contact
KeithTurner@bbcwm.org
for more information