Our Motivation
Liberia, situated on the coastal tip of West Africa, was founded in 1822 by freed blacks from the United States. The country gained independence in 1847, but due to persistent unbalanced sociopolitical, educational, and economical practices, it suffered a bloody coup in 1980. The war claimed over 200,000 lives and damaged spiritual, educational, economical, and communal values. Reverend Robert and Marie Paye, who had married just five months before the war, were involved in pastoral, educational, and nursing services during most of the war. Burdened to be part of rebuilding their homeland, Robert and Marie founded Liberia Life Ministries. Liberia is slightly larger than Ohio. English is the official language in the country. The literacy rate is less than 60% and life expectancy (in 2011) is 57 years. Employment in the formal sector is 15%, and 70% of those employed work as subsistence farmers. Liberia's terrain is beautiful and varied. Mangrove swamps and beaches line the coast, wooded hills and semi-deciduous shrub lands, along with tropical forests and plateaus, are found in the interior. Liberia contains 40% of West Africa's rain forest. Liberia is primarily a communal culture
Source: November 22, 2011 Bureau of African Affairs, US Department of State - http://www.state.gove/r/pa/ei/bgn/6618.htm
Our Vision
Children's Clinic
Our focus is on Buchanan (Gbezohn is the original name of the city) as an opportunity to construct and operate a children's clinic. Buchanan is the third largest city in Liberia, lying on Waterhouse Bay, part of the Atlantic Ocean. The population is approximately 34,000. Liberia's child mortality rate is 5%, making it one of five countries with the highest rate. 68% of Liberians live below the poverty line. 35% are malnourished, only 28% are fully immunized, just 25% have access to safe drinking water, and only 36% have access to poor sanitation. The need is truly significant. Our goal is to have children's clinic built and in operation within five years. We need at least 50 acres for this purpose. Library
In addition to caring for children's health needs, Liberia Life Ministries will promote and support literacy. With a literacy rate of less than 60%, there is much to improve upon. We look forward to providing a collection primarily made up of local literature. Most of Liberian history is oral, therefore we will pursue the textual publication of that. The library name Liberia Center for Research and Outreach (LIBRECO) will offer the following services:
- Research resources
- Tutoring programs
- Computer literacy to enhance academic and job skills
- Space for seminars, counseling, and conferences for people of like faith
