Orphan Relief and Rescue's relief program is an immediate response to Liberia's forgotten children. There are thousands of children living in unaccredited orphanage homes with little support from government and virtually no help from the rest of the world. These children are living in conditions unimaginable by Western standards. They have little or no access to clean water, terrible sanitation and hygiene, no medical care, and never enough food to eat. We assess each orphanage individually and work with the director to meet the most pressing needs of the children first.
This program has become a central part of our work in Liberia, and we hope to keep expanding as resources and finances become available. We have started small. Now partner with us to reach more children.
Through one-on-one coaching and new partnerships with local organizations, we introduce skills and strategies to promote independence and foster dignity in both directors and children. Our goal is to empower directors with a track record of accountability and leadership, so that every inch of progress today is multiplied tomorrow. Older children will also have opportunities to learn a trade or an employable skill -- real opportunities to work rather than turn to crime.
Orphan Relief and Rescue's construction program is dedicated to renovation and new construction of children's homes. Our biggest construction project to date has been at the Rock of Divine Healing Ministries Orphanage Home. Beginning in 2006, we dug a new well, built latrines and rain-fed showers, and completely renovated the main building. We also brought in new beds with sheets and mosquito nets. In less than two months, this orphanage was transformed from a state of total destitution to, in the words of one government social worker, one of the very best homes in the country.
In the Summer of 2007 we continued with construction of a much-needed school, now in use. Efforts continued through the end of 2007 with construction of more latrines and a security fence around the property.
