Sawolor Town, Bong County- John Sumo walks in the middle of a small creek in their town. He parts the waters with his hands, clearing the pieces of dry leaves and other elements on top of the water. He dips and fill his two hands with the creek water and took a deep drink of more than five times after working under a gauging hot sun on his farm.

By Rancy Clarke, contributing writer

Like many other residents in Sawolor Town, the 45-year-old only source of drinking water is this creek. The creek lies just ten minutes’ walk away from the town. It sits under a canopy of trees, which they say keeps the water cold, but they are unaware of the health consequences.

Sumo and the approximately 1,200 residents of Sawolor Town say they have no option because that is the only water they have, as their only hand pump has been damaged for more than two years. 

“The pump once served us and we never used to drink the creek water again, but since no hand pump and this is the only water we have for now, we can’t do anything. Sumo said.

In 2011, an international non-profit charity built the only hand pump in Sawolor Town, providing residents with an alternative to creek water. However, this progress was undone in 2022 when the pump was completely damaged after multiple repairs. Now, the town’s 1,258 residents have been forced to return to drinking from the creek. Local authorities confirmed to this paper that at least seven people have died from diarrhea-related illnesses since the pump broke down.

“Our people in this town are exposed to diarrhea and running stomach as a result of drinking from the creek.” The town’s secretary, Jerome Koko said.

The secretary also knows the consequences but said they are incapacitated to solve their water crisis, though it has cost lives in this town. “The creek is not safe and we have lost lives, but we just have to use the water, because we need to cook, drink, and do other things,” Koko told our reporter.

Koko explained that when the hand pump was built in 2011, the town’s population was much smaller. However, as the population grew, the water demand increased, eventually leading to the pump’s breakdown after multiple repairs. Koko confirmed that residents had previously contributed to repairs.

Today, Sarwolor Town’s population has more than tripled, reaching over 1,000 residents

A 2017 UNICEF report revealed that despite Liberia’s abundant water resources, less than 10% of Liberians have access to safe drinking water and sanitation. Nearly 90% still lack adequate access. Sawolor Town is one of many rural communities facing these challenges.

Fifty-five-year-old Norah Gbanjah and her family are still haunted by the loss of their 23-year-old daughter, Beatrice. Beatrice died last year just two days after being diagnosed with diarrhea.

Madam Gbanjah explained that doctors at the Foequelleh Clinic diagnosed Beatrice with cestodes and advised the family to buy medications elsewhere due to a shortage of essential drugs at the clinic.

Cestodes are a type of parasitic tapeworm that can infect the intestines. They are usually transmitted through contaminated food or water, and symptoms can include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss. In Beatrice Gbanjah’s case, the doctors at the clinic identified the infection but were unable to provide the necessary medications due to shortages of essential medicine at the facility which had gone on for several weeks.

Despite efforts by Madam Gbanjah and her family, Beatrice passed away in March last year after a whole day of severe vomiting and running stomach after they returned from the nearby health facility. Gbanjah’s daughter was not the only victim in Sarwolor. She had earlier lost her twenty-year-old son, Samuel Gbanjah, and her three-year-old grandson, from the same diarrhea.

Madam Gbanjah  is still struggling to cope with the loss of her only surviving daughter, Beatrice. The passing of her daughter has left her heartbroken, and she has yet to find a path to healing.

“Whenever I think about  my daughter, my twenty-year-old son, and my grandchild’s death, it can really hurt me,” Gbanjah said nearly bursting into years.

“My daughter used to buy rice and take other responsibilities of the family since her brother died about five years ago.”

Gbanjah’s daughter meant everything to her after her son’s passing.

“During holidays like Christmas, she would bring joy to everyone, including her late brother’s two children. But last year, Christmas was different.”

As tears roll down her face, Norah struggles to hold back her emotions. She says seeing other children play feels like a nightmare. She added that she and other children still drinking from the creek who haven’t become victims yet are simply lucky.

“We are just living here by the grace of God. Some white people even came here and said the creek has cestode and we should not drink from it anymore, but we are still drinking from the water because our one-hand pump spoiled.

Sumo, a farmer, recalled a difficult period in late 2024 when he and his family of five suffered from diarrhea three times a month. The illness drained nearly all the money they had earned from farming. The town has no clinic for medical care, and the only option for treatment is local drug vendors who travel between towns and villages. However, these vendors often sell medicines stored in buckets and bags, unaware of the risks posed by the heat and exposure to open air.

In 2020, Liberia’s Medicine and Health Product Regulatory Authority launched a crackdown on fake and substandard medicines, warning that street peddlers lack the knowledge to properly sell health products in marketplaces, communities, and other areas. However, for people in rural areas like Sumo, who have no access to medical facilities, these peddlers remain their only option.

Sawolor Town’s situation is worsened by a lack of latrines, forcing residents to use the bushes around the creek as open toilets. Medical experts warn that this practice has serious health consequences, contributing to the spread of waterborne diseases.

The Focal Person for Bong County Mental Health Team, Mr. Dakamue Kollie, warned that the current situation in Sawolor Town can have devastating and lasting consequences on human lives, often leading to death. “Drinking from open wells and creeks exposes residents to waterborne diseases like diarrhea, dysentery, and typhoid, which can be fatal if not treated promptly,” he said.

He also highlighted the dangers of open defecation, which not only causes air pollution but also endangers lives by allowing flies and other vectors to spread diseases. These pests sit on feces in nearby bushes and then contaminate food when they return to the town.

As Jerome Koko continues to call for help to repair the town’s only hand pump, there is no clear solution in sight. With the next rainy season approaching, during which diarrhea cases are expected to rise, residents are left hoping that local authorities will step in to address the crisis. Koko emphasized that the town’s residents are ready to support any efforts to fix the pump, offering their labor to help any institution or individuals willing to assist in ending their water crisis.

Sumo, and Madama Gbanjah, say it is now crucial for policymakers to take immediate action to prevent further loss of life and improve their living conditions before the situation worsens, as the next rainy starts these three months, at which time diarrhea case tick up.

Gbarnga – The Public Relations Officer of Bong County Technical College (BCTC) has responded to claims of inaccessibility, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to fostering equality in education for all, including individuals with disabilities.

By Rancy Clarke, contributing writer

Mr. Marcus Malayea addressed concerns regarding the college’s accessibility following allegations made by Eric Gboluma, a physically challenged resident of Gbarnga. Gboluma, who enrolled at BCTC in 2019 to pursue a BSc in Education, claimed that he withdrew from the college due to difficulties navigating the campus.

In his statement, Malayea clarified that BCTC was constructed in 2010 in compliance with international standards on the rights of people with disabilities, which mandate public facilities, including educational institutions, to be accessible and inclusive.

“BCTC is one of the community colleges that is disability-friendly,” Malayea stated. “The institution is equipped with several ramps to assist persons with disabilities (PWDs) in moving around the campus with ease.”

He highlighted that the multi-story campus includes ramps designed for individuals with mobility challenges and those with visual impairments, ensuring that all students can access classrooms and offices without difficulty.

Malayea dismissed Gboluma’s claims as misleading, asserting that the student’s withdrawal was not due to any lack of accessible infrastructure. He emphasized that other students with disabilities are currently enrolled at BCTC and successfully navigate the campus.

While acknowledging that some classes are held on upper floors, Malayea noted that this does not present barriers for students with disabilities, pointing out that BCTC has made provisions to accommodate everyone.

In a further rebuttal, Malayea cited the example of Dr. Morgana Flomo, a physically challenged faculty member at BCTC, who he said navigates the entire campus independently. “We have students and even a professor here who are disabled and can easily access the entire building without obstacles,” Malayea explained. “Dr. Morgana Flomo, despite being physically challenged, can ride himself to class and his office without assistance.”

Malayea called on individuals with disabilities not to be discouraged by Gboluma’s allegations and encouraged them to pursue equitable quality education at BCTC. He reiterated the college’s dedication to inclusivity and equal opportunities for all students, regardless of their physical challenges.