Monrovia – In a bid to maintain and sustain its gains made in the provision of safe drinking water through the construction of hand pumps and the distribution of water filters, the Last Well has launched a social marketing project.
The project is to create business opportunities in Liberia after its 2020 deadline of providing free water to Liberians.
On Tuesday, a conference sponsored by Last Well brought together the organization’s partners, Government and private entrepreneurs in the country’s Water sector.
Speaking at the start of the conference in Margibi County on Tuesday, August 8, the President of the Last Well, Dr. Todd Philiphs informed participants at the one-day occasion that Last Well for the past 10 years, has provided safe drinking water across Liberia and decided to graduate from the provision of free water to social marketing.
Dr. Philiphs indicated that investing in the water sector of Liberia will bring about job opportunities and also promote the economy of Liberia.
He said the investment will not only focus on water, but other areas in the economy as a means of bringing about economic empowerment amongst the Liberians.
Also speaking, American Investor and Co-Founder of Carbon, Shayne Vermallay, said the conference is intended to elevate the water sector to another level with the intent of creating opportunities for Liberians.
He said the social marketing strategy by the Last Well will create a platform for young Liberians to obtain skills in various vocation training that will make them marketable in their own country.
Mr. Vermally also said the social marketing will transform unskilled Liberians to skilled Liberians who will contribute to the infrastructure development of the country.
For her part, Last Well Communications Manager, Kelli Schroder, said social marketing will greatly help to maintain the investment Last Well has made in Liberia.
She said Last Well wants to graduate from the provision of free water to the investment in water and other areas in the Liberian economy.
Madam Schroder said, the social marketing will serve as a tool in maintaining the facilities already constructed by the Last Well.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Works through its Deputy Minister for Rural Development and Community Service, Benjamin Bantoe, said the work of Last Well has brought great relief to Liberians as it relates to the provision of safe drinking water.
Deputy Minister Bantoe thanked the faith-based charity for buttressing government of Liberia’s efforts by constructing and distributing water filter bucket to several Liberians across the country.
The Deputy Public Works Minister also praised the Last Well for its investment initiative, “the investment will create employment for Liberians”
In a related development, the WASH Commission of Liberia, thanked the charity organization for organizing the investment and partners’ conference.
Since its arrival in Liberia in 2009, Last Well has been providing safe drinking water to over estimated 2.1 Million Liberians across the country, through the construction, rehabilitation and the distribution of the water filter bucket.
Presently, the Last Well has ongoing projects in Lofa, Nimba, Margibi County and River Gee Counties targeting several thousand persons with the provision of safe drinking water.