MONROVIA – The Management of the National Lottery Authority (NLA) has donated huge consignment of assorted food and non-food items to more than 26 physically Challenged, Charitable Organizations, orphanages and Public Welfare Institutions in the country.
NLA’s July 26, 2019 Independence Day’s charitable donation covered more than 1,289 bags of 25KG Parboiled Rice, 101 3-gallon container of Vegetable Oil, 100 Cartoons of Vita Cube and 100 bags of Onion amongst others.
The NLA gesture to charity is intended to supplement the Government of Liberia’s pro-poor agenda to support charitable and social services activities, such as Disabled, Public Welfare Institutions, Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organizations in the country.
The NLA Act Section 6.1 gives it the mandates to contribute, provide care and protection for the physically or mentally afflicted, needy, the aged, orphans and destitute children across the country.
To execute such mandates, the Authority reaches out to Physically Challenged, Charitable Organizations and Public Welfare Institutions during major holidays to donate food and non-food items in order to improve their living conditions.
Charitable Organizations and Public Welfare Institutions that benefited the 2019 July 26 Independence Day gesture include; National Union of Organization of the Disabled, Schools of the Blind and Deaf, Christian Association of the Physically Disabled, Smile for the Disabled and National Amputee Association.
Others are; Antoinette Tubman Cheshire Home, African Youths with Disabilities Network, Mother Victoria Thomas Orphanage Home, Liberia National Association of the Physically Disabled, Hope in God Association of the Blind, Liberia Blind Association for Rehabilitation (LBAR), Mission of Hope for the Disabled and Men with Vision Disabled amongst others.
Speaking during the donation at various disabled organizations, National Lottery Authority (NLA) Acting Director General, Hon. Neved P. Kortu conveyed the Authority’s Board of Directors, Management and Staffs Independence Day greetings and wished the Disabled Community Peaceful, Productive and Prosperous July 26 Celebrations.
Hon. Kortu prayed that God will continue to grant the President, H. E. Dr. George Manneh Weah, His Vice, Chief Dr. Jewel Howard Taylor, Cabinet Ministers, Parliamentarians, International Partners and those in POSITION OF TRUST the wisdom and knowledge to direct the affairs of the Country, especially through the Pro Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD).
He commended President George Manneh Weah for affording him (Neved P. Kortu) the opportunity to ensure that he and his team can address the needs of their people by identifying with them during Major Holidays.
The NLA Acting Director General asserted that disadvantaged people in the country have been suffering over the years as the initiative which the Lottery Authority embarked upon was very important in addressing some of those many challenges faced by them.
“We have passion for this kind of thing, we ensure that those who are disadvantaged, those that are struggling and those that are ensuring that things are getting better, all of them, we want to say a big thank you for coming and we really appreciate your presence here today,” he said.
Hon. Kortu said the Institution remains committed to its Social Cooperate Responsibilities and improving the gaming sector in Liberia.
Meanwhile, the National Lottery Authority has disclosed plans to donate more than One Hundred pieces of mattress to flood victims in New Kru Town as part of efforts to ensure better living condition for them.
NLA Acting Director General, Hon. Neved P. Kortu thanked President George Manneh Weah for constructing several housing units for victims who were dislodged in New Kru Town as a result of sea erosion few months ago.
Receiving the assortment of food items officials of the Antoinette Tubman Cheshire Home and other Disabled, Public Welfare Institutions, Physically Challenged Organizations and Destitute Youths thanked the Lottery Board of Directors and Management for always identifying with persons living with Multiple Disabilities and victims of natural disasters in the country and called for increased supports.
The beneficiaries, who spoke in separate remarks, also commended the National Lottery Authority for remembering them during major holidays and in times of needs and assured them that the items will be used for the intended purpose.
Some Disabled Institutions however called on the NLA to help them with vehicles for them to transport the critically ill patients to the hospital; budgetary allotments to enable them perform their duties, funds to construct new school building and direct sponsorship for their institutions among others.