Humanitarian Aid in Liberia
Overview
When Liberia first became a political entity in 1822, the freed American slaves who founded the government wanted the country’s name to represent liberty. It is fitting, then, that the Republic of Liberia holds the unique distinction of being both Africa’s oldest republic and the first African country to democratically elect a female president. However, it also endured one of Africa’s bloodiest civil wars, roughly from 1989 to 2003. The violence devastated Liberia’s economy, created deep wounds from crimes against humanity, and left many children without families or homes.
Today, Liberia has a comparatively young population. Thus, the youth will play a crucial role in Liberia’s reconstruction and healing process into the future. Hope International reaches out to some of the most vulnerable members of Liberia’s youth by supporting a local medical clinic and orphanage.
Quick Facts
- Estimated 200,000 orphans out of a population of 3,685,076
- 44% of the population under the age of 14
- Median age is 18.4
- Male literacy rate: 73.3%, Female literacy rate: 41.6%
- 85% unemployment rate (2003 est.) and 80% below poverty line
- Culturally rich and diverse country with eighteen ethnicities represented
Hope's Accomplishments
- Hope’s Director traveled to Liberia in 2008 and 2009
- Bought new mattresses for children at Divine Orphanage
- Sponsored children to meet their medical, educational, and nutritional needs
- Provided a summer enrichment program for 200 children
- Distributed medications, food, water, school supplies, clothing, and toys
- Purchased a refrigerator and air conditioner for a medical clinic in Liberia so immunizations could be preserved
- Dug a well for an orphanage so children have clean drinking water
- Contributed to building a roof over school rooms at the orphanage