MONROVIA, LIBERIA-The Movement Towards Peace and Development Agency-Lib (MoPADA-Lib) has renovated and turned over a handpump to the School for the Orphans and Deaf Ministry in Chocolate City, Gardnersville.
The hand pump is expected to increase the water supply to more than sixty students and staff at the school.
At a brief turning-over ceremony of the handpump on Friday, March 29, 2024, MoPADA-Lib Executive Director, Patience Ghartey, said her organization took on the initiative based on challenges the school faces, especially with the issue of water.
“We came and we saw the need to provide water. There’s a common saying that water is life, so we came with water for you people,” Madam Ghartey noted.
She said the organization’s quest is to ensure the students with special needs and staff at the school get safe and clean drinking water to prevent them from contracting waterborne diseases.
In response, the Proprietress of the School for the Orphans and Deaf Ministry, Comfort Doe, lauded the organization for the work, describing it as a dream come true.
Madam Doe said: “We want to say thank you to our NGO that made this impossible possible for us. It hasn’t been easy. Sometimes I have to buy water by sac so can drink.”
She explained that the school has other challenges including latrine and called on other well-meaning individuals, organizations, and philanthropists to intervene.
According to Madam Doe, an organization that was assisting to pay teachers at the school pulled out last year, creating another serious challenge for the institution.
Dedicating the handpump, Chocolate City Chairman, George Freeman, also expressed gratitude to MoPADA-Lib for the facility.
Mr. Freeman stressed the need for maintenance of the handpump as it is costly and maintaining it will take it a long way.
Friday’s turnover was graced by WASH sector actors including the United Youth for Peace, Education, Transparency and Development in Liberia, the WASH Commission, students and staff of the School for the Orphans and Deaf Ministry, and community members.
The Movement Towards Peace and Development Agency-Lib (MoPADA-Lib) is an organization involved in the provision of water and sanitation services for communities, schools, and clinics among others.
The organization also seeks support for WASH investment, advocates for improved WASH sector, and provides technical skills.