Monrovia – A Liberian women humanitarian and advocacy group based in the United States has presented a purse of consolation to family members of students and teachers who died in a tragic fire incident at an Islamic school in Paynesville, outside Monrovia.
It can be recalled that at least 27 students, including two (2) teachers died when fire gutted the Islamic Quranic Recitation Boarding School on September 18, 2019, in the Bassa Town Community, in Paynesville, outside Monrovia.
The Liberia National Fire Service (LNFS), through its Director, Alex Dickson, attributed the cause of the fire outbreak to electrical fault.
The Liberian Women United in Progress based in the United States presented the amount of US$2000 to the families of the victims.
The group was founded in 2000 in the United States to provide assistance, mentorship, education opportunities and advocacy for the wellbeing of Liberian women and girls in the country.
Making the presentation on Sunday, October 20, 2019 at the United Dawah Ummah Mosque in Sinkor, one of the founding members disclosed that the gesture was the organization’s way of identifying with family members of the victims during this time of national mourning.
Madam Edith Walters-Wilson added that the money was made possible by members of the women organization, family members and friends staying in the United States.
‘We like to say have our sympathies and we have come to identify with you our brothers and sisters who are grieving at this time. When we got the tragic news as parents, we were very sad and concerned. And that’s the reason why we were able to raise the money so fast,” she stated.
“As Liberians; if anything happens to anyone in Liberia, it happens to us,” she added.
Plea for help
Madam Walters-Wilson further urged Liberians and other philanthropic organizations operating in and out of the country, to come to the aid of Liberia and its citizens.
She observed that the country has been devastated as a result of prolonged civil wars, and as such, it remains the collective responsibility of all Liberians to positively contribute their quotas towards the forward match of the nation and its people.
She indicated that despite the challenges, Liberians should remain hopeful of their own country.
“Liberians are in desperate need of help always. You know, our country went through a devastating civil war-it’s not easy. But we know that one day, Liberia will rise up again All the organizations out there let’s hold together and help our country and people,” she maintained.
Also speaking, Madam Evita Vincent Gwyan appreciated other local and international organizations for coming to the aid of the victims’ family members.
She encouraged other groups to continue to assiduously work towards the betterment of Liberia.
Madam Vincent-Gwyan, however, pledged her group’s support towards the improvement of the wellbeing of women and girls in Liberia.
Receiving the fund, Mr. Abdulrahman Barry expressed thanks and appreciation to the women group for “thinking about the bereaved families.”
“Words are inadequate to represent any form of thanks to you people. The love that is being shared with us at this time, we have not seen it before; for different embassies, Christians and others from different places to come and identify with us,” he said.
“We like to thank you so much for taking a giant step as mothers and those who serve humility,” he stated.