Report from MarylandCounty – January 2008

Report from Maryland County, Liberia

January 2008

Submitted by

Mrs. Catherine G. Woods

Mr. Kpamu Sie

Ms. Roberta Brown

Arrival in Monrovia, January 9[1]

Roberta Brown arrives in Monrovia, Liberia to begin her visit with Marylanders and MarylandCounty. On arrival at RobertsfieldInternationalAirport, she was received by the Grebo Governor, Mrs. Sophie Davis of Marylanders residing in Monrovia, Mr. Christian Herbert, project director of MFP/NGO and his team and family.

Initial Meetings, January 10

A scheduled meeting was held with the Maryland Legislative Caucus at the home of Senator Gloria Scott, chair of the Caucus. In attendance were Representatives Bhofal Chambers and David Saydee. Also in attendance was Mr. Christian Herbert, project director, MFP/NGO, MFP members, Mrs. Catherine Woods, Mrs. Comfort Ogunti Gibson, Mr. Mle Dio Freeman and Mr. Kpamu Sie. Senior Senator John Ballout and Representative James Biney were in MarylandCounty at the time of the meeting.

Ms. Brown thanked the Caucus and informed them that though the primary reasons of her visit to Liberia was to spend time with family and to over see the activities of MFP’s NGO in Maryland County, she felt as president of the National Maryland County Organization (NAMCAL), it was her responsibility to visit the County in the same spirit of oneness while assessing the needs of the citizens and reporting to all Marylanders abroad on the plight of the County. She outlined the focus and concerns of the nine Maryland County Associations in the USA - education, healthcare, economic empowerment. She asked for the support of the Caucus beginning with unity amongst them so that we will all work for a successful and prosperous MarylandCounty and Liberia.

Town Hall Meeting and Reception, January 10, 3 PM

This event wasorganized by the Grebo Governor and Mr. Herbert. It was held in Gardinersville for the purpose of meeting with Marylanders residing in the Monrovia area. Ms. Brown greeted the crowd and informed them of NAMCAL’s goals and objectives and the activities of MFP in Monrovia and MarylandCounty. She stressed the need for unity among Marylanders residing in Monrovia and was happy to hear from various women groups that are organizing projects for implementation in MarylandCounty. The Governor thanked Marylanders for their support by remembering the County.

NAMCAL/MFP Fact Finding Mission on Maryland County, Liberia

January 13 – 18, 2008

On our tour to the four districts of the County, the team of four was accompanied and introduced by the Superintendent of Maryland County, Hon. Sie-Teba Neufville and Senior Senator, Mr. John A. Ballout. Both made statements on the significant assistance MFP and other associations under the umbrella of NAMCAL are making towards the development of the County. A brief statement of greetings followed by the president of MFP and NAMCAL, Ms. Roberta Brown. The traditional welcoming of guests took place. The chiefs, commissioners and elders of MarylandCounty made statements addressing the needs of their respective districts. The team which traveled to MarylandCounty and the districts included:

  • Ms. Roberta Brown, President, MFP & NAMCAL
  • Mrs. Catherine G. Woods, MFP
  • Mr. Mle Dio Freeman, MFP/NGO, Monrovia, Liberia
  • Mr. Kpamu Sie, MFP/NGO Monrovia, Liberia
  • Mr. Martin Nyeka, Information Officer, MarylandCounty
  • Mr. Wah Mle Elliott, MFPCounty Coordinator
  • MarylandCounty Commissioner
  • Hon. John A. Ballout, Jr., Sr. Senator, MarylandCounty
  • Hon. Sie-Teba Neufville, Superintendent, MarylandCounty
January 13, 6:00 AM

The four person delegation left Monrovia for Harper City, Maryland County traveling by road, arriving into Harper at 10:15 AM on January 14th, having slept in Karweinken, RiverGeeCounty, at the home of Mr. Eric Ogunti, a Marylander. At 4 AM, the delegation left Karweinken for MarylandCounty.

On our arrival in Harper, we were met at the City Hall by Mr. Wah-Mle Elliott, MFP/NGO County Coordinator and were taken to the residence of Superintendent and Mrs. Neufville. The superintendent then took the team to the Catholic Pastorial Retreat Centre guest house where we stayed in MarylandCounty.

January 13, Noon

Meeting with the Council of Chiefs and District commissioners from the 4 districts (Barrobo, Karluway, Pleebo/Sodokeh, and HarperCommonwealth), at the home of the Superintendent and Mrs. Neufville. Sup. Neufville introduced all government officials, chiefs, senior citizens, women and youth leaders to the team. After the welcoming speeches, the key of HarperCity was presented to NAMCAL/MFP President, Ms. Roberta Brown. Ms. Brown, in a brief statement thanked all who were present and spoke about the urgent need for unity amongst Marylanders on all levels. She introduced NAMCAL’s goals and objectives for MarylandCounty and our willingness to assist in the development focusing especially on education, healthcare, empowerment of women and youth and agriculture, programs that are also prioritized by the Government of Liberia.

The team then paid a courtesy call on UNMIL (Senegalese Battalion) headed by Mr. Babacar Seck, Civil Society representatives and other UN dignitaries. Mr. Seck welcomed the team and said that UNMIL was in MarylandCounty to work along with the citizens, but he was not pleased with what appeared on NAMCAL’s website on the inability of his battalion to assist with the improvement of roads. The Superintendent regretted the incident which he was not aware off, Ms. Brown also apologized and both emphasized that UNMIL should please assist the county with machines on hand to rehabilitate the roads and provide the City Hall with electricity. Ms. Brown pleaded with them not to be discouraged because of anything they might perceive as negative publicity, but to continue rendering services to the citizens for their common goal.

CapePalmasHigh School, January 13, 1:25 PM

We paid a visit to CPHS and met with principal, Mr. Moses Brown, teachers and the student body. The principal thanked us for visiting and informed us of the needs of the school. Most pressing was the WAEC fees. The students, teachers and principal all appealed to the delegation that Marylanders in the USA assist in paying the West African Exams Council) WAEC fees which totaled US$3,655 (124 12th graders and 90 9th graders) as these students could not afford the charges of $20.00 per student. The principal stressed the need for more qualified teachers and informed us that the school has no physics instructor due to low salaries. The student administrator listed the needs of the school as the following.

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Report from MarylandCounty – January 2008

  • Science Laboratory equipment
  • Library books (West African)
  • Generator
  • Renovation of the school (class room ceilings)
  • Furnished computer lab (tables, chairs, etc.)

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Report from MarylandCounty – January 2008

Ms. Brown thanked the students for heeding the call of President Sirleaf in their efforts to remain in school though the challenges were enormous. She encouraged them to continue their schooling and was happy to see so many girls in CPHS. She said their request would be presented to CPHSAA and the National Association of Maryland County. Senator Ballout offered to pay for the tutorial classes in physics, which will prepare the students for the WAEC exams scheduled in May. He informed the students of the growing statistics of HIV/AIDS in Liberia. He then appealed to the students to take the HIV/AID test which is administered free at all medical centers.

The principal, Mr. Brown, thanked the team for visiting the school. He also thanked the CPHSAA for the chairs sent to the school; he however, mentioned that 11 chairs have not yet been delivered even though the carpenter had received the funds.

Town Hall meeting at City Hall, January 13, 3:30 PM

A town hall meeting was held with the council of chiefs, Civil Society representatives and citizens. Due to the absence of the Mayor, Ms. Regina Simpson, who was ill, the acting superintendent welcomed the team and made all necessary introductions. Ms. Brown noted her appreciation to the chiefs and was happy to come back home after 35 years. Ms. Brown stressed the need for hard work and unity in order to develop MarylandCounty. She said it is time for the women to fully participate in the activities with a common goal towards development. She mentioned the assistance that MFP had given to the County i.e. 20,000 text books, generator, hospital beds, clothing, medical equipments and supplies, and the Market Women Credit Union revolving fund. She praised the Harper and Pleebo market women who made progress and were transparent with reports that were forwarded to MFP. She also informed the body that other MarylandCounty organizations have made and continue to make considerable contributions to the County which should never go unnoticed.

Ms. Brown stressed the importance of education to the audience asking parents to please send their children to school who often times are seen selling in the markets. She thanked those in the County responsible for the needs assessment that was carried out by Mr. Christian Herbert in January of 2007 on behalf of MFP. She made a commitment that MFP will continue their support and assist with the implementation of its core goals, education, health care, agriculture and economic empowerment to all citizens who are ready and willing to move Maryland forward. She said as president of NAMCAL, she will continue to galvanize support from Marylanders and friends of MarylandCounty, since she believes the time is right with the new leadership and security Liberia is enjoying under the leadership of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Later in the evening, the team accompanied by Superintendent Neufville and Senator Ballout paid a courtesy visit to Mrs. Sampson, Mayor of Harper City. The Mayor expressed her regrets for not being able to participate in the welcoming of the guest, but thanked all Marylanders in the USA for their commitment and support to the County. The following needs were presented:

  • Rehabilitation of roads (farm to market)
  • Renovation of health centers
  • Renovation of schools
  • Renovation of markets
  • Training of young medical professionals to man health centers
Women

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Report from MarylandCounty – January 2008

  • Sewing machines
  • Baking materials and vocational training
  • Soap making
  • Adult education
  • Generators for literacy school locations
  • Cold storage
  • Micro funding

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Report from MarylandCounty – January 2008

Youth
  • Recreation centers
  • Higher education (e.g. the reopening of TC)
  • Other vocational training programs

Sr. Senator Ballout spoke on partnership, unity and cooperation, in that the citizens should partner with the Associations by helping themselves and whatever help is sent should be appreciated and managed properly. He stressed on transparency and accountability of any form of support that will be sent to the County for development.

Honorable Jarbo Russell on behalf of the chiefs thanked MFP and all NAMCAL associations for support given over the years and prayed that they will not waver in their efforts. Honorable Russell said that because of bad roads, cash crops and food grown in Barrobo district never makes it to Pleebo and Harper which continuously brings about scarcity of food. The Council of Elders appealed to Ms. Brown to assist them in completing the construction of their office; she made a personal contribution towards their efforts.

MFP/NGO County Coordinator, Mr. Wah-Mle Elliott informed the chiefs and those present that MFP has identified 25 acres of land in each district for farming and would need the cooperation of all districts to implement some projects. He also mentioned that according to the MDA, MFP has identified the renovation of 16 clinics and 6 schools which will be prioritized as funds are made available from grants received through international donors, family and friends.

The District Commissioner, Honorable Alfred T. Thompson made mention of the MDA and thanked MFP for their efforts. He presented the following concerns:

  • Education. Construction of schools in Spring Hill, Fishtown Fodokeh, vocational training east central and west of the County and building the capacity of local officials through training with scholarships.
  • Agriculture. Cattle raising, fishery, cash crop production, sugar cane mills cassava/coconut grinders.
  • Healthcare. Training medical personal, construction of clinics (Big town, Yookudi and Fishtown Fodokeh.
  • Tourism. The development of tourism on sites such as: Fishtown, Rocktown, Whole Graway, Cavalla and PioneerMonument. Eco tourism is also needed.
  • Special concerns. Educational, medical and mobilization of disable citizens in the County who are neglected.

The President informed the audience of the MOU signed in August, 2007, establishing the SisterState relationship between the State of Maryland USA and Maryland and BongCounties. This relationship has resulted in the formation of the Education Committee chaired by Dr. Bai Akridge and the anticipated visit of the Engineers without Borders this month to the County. She praised the efforts of the committee chaired by Mrs. Sharon Pinder to insure support for these two Counties.

The delegation then paid a courtesy call on Bishop B. Nyema Dalieh of the Catholic Diocese of Cape Palmas who wished the delegation well while on a meaningful assignment in the county. He, however, thanked Our Lady of Fatima/St. Francis Association for their continuous support to the schools.

Visit to Schools, January 15
Our Lady of Fatima High. The Superintendent informed Principal, Mr. Christian Hubbard that the purpose of our visit was to assess the needs of citizens in the four districts with the intention of Marylanders abroad assisting in the development process of MarylandCounty. President Brown thanked the principal for his commitment and dedication towards education of our children, and informed him that Our Lady of Fatima/St. Francis Association is very committed in their support to the schools. She informed the principal that all information gathered from both Fatima and St. Francis will be delivered to Mr. Philip Nimpson, president of the association. The 10th and 11th graders were sitting their exams, so their classes were not visited. The following classes were visited: 12th with 37 students, 9th with 50 students, and 8th with 76 students and 7th with 33 students. We also met and spoke with the teachers.
S.E.GibsonDemonstrationSchool. We met with the principal and teachers who took us on a tour of the building where the following was observed: the kindergarten section has 350 students (50 students in each class,) 3 classes in one room; poor ventilation; toilet facilities completely broken down and non- hygienic. 98% of the students were without shoes. Student enrollment is 1,119 students. The school’s needs include:
  • Renovation of the interior of the school building and chairs
  • Restoring of water supply with a pump and renovation of toilets
  • Children need shoes and sneaker (sizes 5-6)
  • Note and text books, pencils, crayons and library books
J. S. Pratt Junior & High School. We were briefed by the Principal on the activities of the school. Ms. Brown thanked the school authorities for their sacrifices, and encouraged the girls to focus on the importance of receiving their education. Senator Ballout cautioned the students not to waste their precious time by playing.
J.T.DayrellSchool. We briefly visited most of the classes since it was near recess period. The principal informed us on the activities of the school and the need for library books, school supplies and assistance with funds for after school programs to encourage the students with their work.
FatimaElementary School. The delegation was welcomed by the principal, Mr. Duosi J. Weah. Superintendent Neufville explained the purpose of the visit at which time he introduced Ms. Brown. In her brief remarks, she thanked the Principal and teachers for the sacrifices that are made daily to educate the students. The principal presented a list of concerns and needs that will be passed on to Mr. Nimpson when she returns to the US. There are 950 students in the morning and afternoon sessions.
January 16, 2008

Pleebo/Sodokeh

In continuing the tour, we stopped at Barakeh and visited the only clinic in that area. The nurses informed us that though Merci has been funding the operation, very soon things could change which may affect the staff creating a void in services. We also met with the market women who thanked us for not forgetting them. The president emphasized the need for unity, accountability and transparency among the women so that they will work on joint projects for the development of the district. Needs and concerns include:

  • Medical supplies and drugs
  • Rehabilitation of farm to market roads
  • Adult education/Literacy programs
  • Micro finance funding
  • Sewing materials

Barakeh Elementary and Junior High School. We briefly visited the school since classes were in session. The principal informed us that there are 346 students in attendance and their concerns are: More qualified teachers, augment salaries as an incentive of keeping the ones that are now at the school, a need for Math and Science text books, volley balls with nets and footballs with jerseys.