MONROVIA – The Volunteer Sanitation Team of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus (SCJ) Liberia Branch has announced plans to expand its ongoing community clean-up initiative beyond Monrovia and promote sanitation as a national culture across Liberia.
The announcement follows months of consistent clean-up activities at the Duport Road Market, where the volunteer team has worked alongside marketers and residents to improve environmental hygiene.
“Our vision is to make sanitation a culture in Liberia,” said SCJ-Liberia Publicity Head, Fruitfulness S. A. Joe, during an interview following the group’s latest clean-up exercise on Saturday.
The SCJ Volunteer Sanitation Team is part of an international organization known for its commitment to humanitarian service, charity work, and community development initiatives. Its volunteer programs focus on community action, social outreach, environmental stewardship, healthcare support, and blood donation drives.
According to the organization, the sanitation campaign also reflects the teachings and lifestyle of Jesus Christ, emphasizing service to humanity and care for one’s community.
During Saturday’s exercise, volunteers dressed in yellow T-shirts joined market vendors in sweeping market halls and surrounding streets, clearing clogged drainages, collecting waste into large garbage bags, and ensuring its proper disposal.
Mr. Joe used the occasion to encourage Liberians to embrace cleanliness as a personal and community responsibility.
“Cleanliness is next to godliness, and good hygiene is essential for maintaining good health,” he said.
Several members of the volunteer team noted that the initiative is gradually influencing positive behavioral change among marketers. They observed that many vendors now clean their surroundings before displaying goods for sale each day.
Local businessman Alvin Toogbabu, owner of That Kingdom Come Incorporated, praised the volunteers for their sustained efforts, describing the initiative as a major contributor to improving the appearance of the market.
“We who are business people need this group because it helps keep the environment clean, and a clean environment is a healthy one,” Toogbabu said. “The area in front of my store is now clean, and I feel proud when customers come to shop.”
He also called on the Government of Liberia and citizens to support Liberian-owned businesses.
“Prioritization is important if Liberians are to successfully own and grow their businesses,” he added.
Meanwhile, market women Helena Freeman and Susana A. W. Koffa commended the volunteer team for maintaining cleanliness in the market. However, they raised concerns about what they described as poor management by market authorities.
The women alleged that vendors are required to pay garbage collection fees twice a week and security fees every Saturday, yet they rarely see janitorial services or security personnel performing their duties.
“The people in the yellow T-shirts who regularly clean the market and surrounding streets are doing an excellent job,” they said. “We pay fees, but in many cases, we end up cleaning the market ourselves.”
They called for greater accountability from market management and urged authorities to ensure that fees collected from vendors are used for their intended purposes.
