The Bishop of the Independent Catholic Church of Liberia (ICCL), Nimely Jacbokly Donyen, has given 150 bundles of zinc to several storm and fire victims in District 2, Montserrado County.
He disclosed that that his gesture comes in the wake of the recent terrific storm disaster that destroyed scores of roofs in various communities including those who were also victimized due to fire disaster saying that the zinc was distributed based on the needs of each beneficiary.
The beneficiaries were Nennela Kerkula, eight bundles; Mr. Nyemah Harris 71/2 bundles including Susan Korpo 71/2, Peter Marply, 7 bundles as well as Milton Gwiah 7, Beyan 6 bundles. Others are, Jennet Gbannah who received 6, Susan Tokeh 4 bundles; while William Kwhead was given 4, Jallah Koikoi 4 bundles, Oretha Harris 3 bundles, among others.
Speaking at his residence in the Red Hill Community recently prior to the distribution of the zinc, Bishop Donyen pointed out that his intervention is geared towards helping the people who have been living with trauma due to the stressful natural cause.
“I was in my house when the storm came for the first and second times that night predictably, I knew that it would have affected houses due to the violent wave that accompanied it.
So, the following day I sent my staff in the field to do a survey and they reported exactly what I earlier predicted while others came and explained their ordeal to me,” he stated.
The district 2 Legislative aspirant of Montserrado County in the October’s Legislative and Presidential Elections informed the gathering that he paid the total of US$7,500 for the 150 bundles of zinc but noted that after the distribution, more people are still coming daily requesting for zinc so he has assured them to be on the stand-by as he gets money.
The man who is widely referred to as the “Talk and Do” then disclosed that he has also secured 37 pieces of sewing machines at the cost of US$5,550 that are currently being used at the six skills training centers that he has established in the district.
“Our plan is to decentralize the Monrovia Vocational Training Center (MVTC) due to its congestion as the population of students has overwhelmed the facility coupled with distances that others covered to reach to the center,” he stressed.
He named the centers as, Cheerful Givers High School (CGHS) Red Hill, Back Street Communities including Chicken Farm Community near Montserrado County
District 2 Representative, Jimmy Smith’s Residence.
Others are, New Store, Saah Store Communities Mount Barclay and Karnkarn Town Community respectively.
Speaking further, the ICCL Bishop also stated that he paid LD140,000 for planks along with money for feeding for the reconstruction of a wooden bridge that he built in 2017 in New Jerusalem Community that collapsed as the planks rot.
“The situation seriously obstructed everybody’s movements for two days because the area is an island so the with my support couple with the residents’ mobilization of manpower, it will be dedicated on Saturday,” he explained.
The Bishop however urged the people to be hopeful and make a decision during the elections that will have the proclivity of addressing most of their needs and called on them to support Montserrado County Senator, Saah Joseph whom according to him, has been involved with many impactful projects so he needs to continue doing so.
“I have already secured a fire truck, four vehicles for our four police stations including an ambulance for our district and they will be commissioned in early February of 2024,” he assured the people.
For his part, the Administrator of the Bishop Donyen Vocational School, Stanley William, buttressed by informing the public that the school was opened on April 24, 2023 and the registration fee is LD$100 that is payable on every Monday for maintenance.
He asserted that the first circle has resumed for four months and that every student is responsible to purchase their basic materials like thread, scissors as well as tape line while the school is responsible to provide the remaining ones.
“We are offering other skills like tie and dye including soap making along with the tailoring; others vocational skills will be added progressively,” he said.
Mr. William then disclosed that they have registered more than 150 students predominantly females in all categories and as such, he encouraged others to make good use of the opportunity
Student Martha Sayon expressed their gratitude to Bishop Donyen adding, he is always busy finding ways to empower the residents of the district.
Mr. Nyemah Harris, a beneficiary of the zinc also commended the clergy for his sustained effort aimed bringing relief to the people whenever they are struck with disaster recalling how he came to their aid last year when flood invaded their communities.
