Liberian Diaspora Team Launches Charity And
Wraps Up Seven Million Aid Mission To Liberia
Liberian Diaspora Team Wraps up Seven Million Aid Mission To Liberia A high-level delegation of Liberian Diaspora leaders from Europe, and the United States have wrap up its mission to Liberia. During a two week long visit, the delegation forged a partnership with the Liberian Government, after launching the Monrovia branch of the Swiss based Mike Mueller Charities ("MMC").
Leaders of the group include Mr. Mike Mueller, a top executive of the Swiss based UBS Bank, and Chairman of MMC; Washington D.C. Commissioner of African Affairs Mr. John F. Lloyd, of the Coalition of Concerned Liberians USA; and Mr. Elvis Morris, President of the European Federation of Liberian Associations (ELFA).
The delegation was received by Vice President, Dr. Joseph N. Boakai at his Capitol office, during which he praised what he described as a historic collaboration of Liberians in the Diaspora to actively join hands in the development of their nation, "in such a crucial moment of national reconstruction.
MMC Chairman Mr. Mueller expressed "great satisfaction" in the level of support received from the Liberian government for their efforts in the process of self help reconstruction of Liberia. He assured the Vice President that MMC had already commenced work in the delivery of its aid package of $10,000 for the renovation of the roof of the Monrovia Demonstration School.
Mr. Mueller further disclosed that MMC had already approved the delivery of an ambulance for the use of the John F. Kennedy Hospital in Monrovia. "We come not with empty words of promises, but a concrete report of delivery", he concluded.
In delivery of an estimated LD 7million aid package, the MMC delegation earlier conducted an assessment tour of the Monrovia Demonstration Elementary School, with a subsequent visit to JFK Memorial Hospital in Sinkor, Monrovia.
Monrovia Demonstration School
Renovated At Monrovia Demonstration Elementary School, the delegation was led on a guided tour of the various classrooms and general facility. Leaders of the delegation took turn to encourage students to pursue their education despite existing odds. A leader of the delegation, Mr. Elvis Morris of ELFA, expressed serious concerns over the physical deterioration of schools and the challenging conditions of learning in Liberia, which he said demands the support of not only the Liberian government, but all Liberians abroad. The faculty and students were assured that MMC had already commenced the process of identifying a contractor to begin renovation of the school's roof at the cost of $10,000 ahead of the rainy season.
Ambulance for JFK
On an assessment tour of the John F. Kennedy Medical Center, members of the delegation where were met on arrival by the Hospital Administrator, Dr. Ayele Ajavon-Cox. On the tour, Dr. Ajavon underscored the serious need for all levels of assistance for Liberia's largest medical facility. She explained the progress made since the Hospital's re-opening after the war, adding "if you think it's bad now, you should have seen it then."
From one floor level to the next, the delegation was given a first hand view of a facility depleted in all aspects of the marginal resources required for efficient health care delivery - from an ill-equipped emergency unit with a single visiting doctor on staff, to the top level suites, where a skeletal staff of nurses and two doctors labored in scorching heat with little or no equipment or medicines.
JFK's Chief Medical officer Dr, Samuel Brisbane explained the daily perseverance of his staff in a devoted cause to attend to the needs of a growing flow of patients in a hopeless condition, which he said, cries out loud for help. At the hospital, MMC formally announced a schedule for the delivery of an ambulance and other equipments for the hospital's emergency unit and pledged to return abroad to mobilize further resources to elevate Liberia's only medical center to a modernized level of operation.
The delegation was later received at the Capitol by the Senate Health Care Committee Chair, Hon. Clarice Jah, who pledged the cooperation of her committee in arranging the shipment of donations for assistance in health care and other areas.
