By Precious D. Freeman
The Liberia National Red Cross Society (LNRCS), with critical support from the Swedish Red Cross, has officially handed over two newly constructed hand pumps and rehabilitated a third, restoring clean and safe drinking water to this long-neglected rural community.
After months of anguish and seven lives tragically lost to waterborne diseases, the people of Sarwolor Town have found hope and healing.
The intervention comes in the wake of a devastating public health crisis that drew national attention earlier this year.
In January, FrontPage Africa reported that Sarwolor’s only hand pump had broken down, leaving more than 3,000 residents—mainly women and children dependent on a nearby creek for water. The result was a deadly outbreak of diarrheal diseases.
“I watched my daughter die just two days after being diagnosed with diarrhea,” said Norah Gbanjah, who also lost her son and grandson to waterborne illness. “We were helpless.”
The creek, once seen as a natural blessing, became a silent killer. “I was forced to drink from it because there was no other choice,” said Rita Dollo, a mother of four. “We were dying slowly.”
On June 13, 2025, community members gathered for the dedication of the new water facilities. Joy and gratitude filled the air as Town Chief Lawrence Dolopay led the ceremony.
“The Red Cross saved our lives,” Chief Dolopay declared. “We were crying for help, and they answered. This is what true humanity looks like.”
He pledged the community’s full support to protect and maintain the water points. “We will not let these pumps spoil. We will maintain them so no more lives are lost,” he said.
For the women of Sarwolor, the pumps represent more than infrastructure—they are symbols of dignity and empowerment.
“We used to feel shame and sadness fetching creek water,” said Noria Cooper, the Women Chair Lady. “Today, I feel proud. We will care for these pumps like they are our own children.”
Manda Cooper, a mother of seven, added, “Some of my children died from bad water. But today, I can say thank God for the Red Cross. They gave us life.”
Representing the Swedish Red Cross, Country Representative Armel Komena reaffirmed the organization’s humanitarian mission.
“Our objective is to mobilize the power of humanity to create a better world, a better community,” he said. “That is why the Red Cross is present in every country—because humanity knows no borders.”
The Head of Programs at the Liberia National Red Cross Society, Christopher Johnson, emphasized the scale of the challenge. “Clean water access remains one of the most urgent humanitarian needs in rural Liberia,” he said.
Johnson announced that the Swedish Red Cross has donated two drilling machines to support LNRCS water projects across the country. “These are not for profit,” he stressed. “They’re for our people—to end suffering like what happened here.”
He added that the crisis in Sarwolor is not unique. “What happened here is one of many untold stories,” Johnson said. “With limited resources, we are doing all we can to stop people from drinking unsafe creek water, but the need far outweighs our current capacity.”
Despite challenges, the LNRCS has made notable progress. Across Bong County, it has rehabilitated 15 damaged hand pumps in communities including Gbarnga, Totota, and Bong Mines.
Under its GIRL Project, an additional 14 hand pumps have been restored in hard-to-reach southeastern counties like Sinoe, Grand Kru, and River Gee.
“Every pump we repair or build saves lives and restores dignity,” Johnson said.
He called on national and international partners to bolster the Red Cross’ life-saving mission.
“We have the technical expertise and the commitment,” he said. “But we are seriously challenged by extremely limited resources. We call on all partners to help us reach further—to restore access to safe and reliable drinking water and protect lives.”
As clean water flows once again in Sarwolor, the town looks forward with determination, dignity, and a renewed sense of hope.
