Monrovia – Youths of Blogwein Community in Logan Town have launched an initiative to feed struggling parents, physically-challenged people, the underprivileged and the blind.

By Edwin G. Genoway, Jr (231886458910)-edwin.genoway@frontpageafricaonline.com

The initiatives titled: “Help Blogwein Smile to Fight COVID-19,’ was initiated in order to raise food and non-food items as their (youths) way of giving back to the community they all grew up together.

Though many of the young people have now settled in different parts of the country with some residing in the diaspora; all of them have put hands on desk to help the community of their childhood in these times of health crises.

The team leader, Francis Grant told FrontPageAfrica that the community deserves their help, as such, every working youth who has lived in the community during their youthful or childhood days are part of the initiative to feed the people of Blogwein Community in Logan, which is represented in the Legislature by Representative Abu Kamara.

“This is not about politics, it’s about us giving back to the community we all grew up. As you can see, the bags of rice and other items were all provided by us and some friends that support our initiatives who have not lived in Blogwein,” Grant said.

He explained further that their initiative collected a cash contribution of US$2,642 and L$17,500 from within country and abroad.

Items they bought with the money, benefited more than 100 houses. 20 homes were not reached due to limited supply.

But Grant said the remaining houses will be served in the next distribution when additional funds are being collected.

“We all made the sacrifices to help our people. And we want to appreciate everyone whether in Liberia or abroad for the contribution you made. It was a very challenging task, but our sincerity and commitment to this, with the passion to impact our community made this a success,” he said.

Those that spearheaded the initiative for the distribution included Francis R. Grant, team leader, Philomena C. Wildon, Chair and contact person in Liberia, Gibson Walker, mobilization contact person in Liberia, Theo Sipley, contact person in the United States, Wilmot Tarley, Finance Officer other included Francis Theo Sam, member and Salome Tryphina B. Walker, member. Other young people who contributed from the Diaspora and Liberia include:  Cynthia Sipley, James Sipley, Decontee M Sowor, Phebe Meyer-Kamara, Prince Maxwell, Vallai M. Dorley, Dexter Togba, Philip Blamo, Marion Diamond Grant-Johnson, Dominic Johnson, Aloysius Jumudeh Nyanford, Joseph Francis Doe Tarpeh, T-See D Whale, William W. Slim-King Broh, Samson Dee,Philgorgeous P. Wilson, Gibson P Walker, Salome Tryphina Brathwaite Walker, Teddy Williams, Francis Theo Sam, Randall Masterstroke, Mandela Mangull Porson, Hilaria Beyan, Abdullah Swaray, Jeremiah Wleh, Kelvin Sipley, Civicus Barsi-Giah.

Monrovia – Liberia’s first Doctor of Pharmacy is urging the Liberian government to fully enforce and implement social distancing without fear of being criticized as the country combats the deadly Covid-19.

By Edwin G. Genoway, Jr (231886458910)-Edwin.genoway@frontpageafricaonline.com

Pharmacist David Sumo suggests that only food sellers and buyers should be allowed to be out in market places if the government wants to kick the virus out. “If we must keep the people safe let’s follow the rule of social distancing; it’s the only cure right now,” he stressed.

Pharmacist Sumo said if the Government of Liberia must win the war against the deadly coronavirus disease, they must enhance social distancing by reducing the size of those who go to the local markets or put mechanisms in place to reduce the population in various markets.

Mr. Sumo, who is the former Managing Director, Liberia Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Authority (LMHRA), further said that the fight against virus must go beyond just following the mandatory health protocols but must include a holistic effort that will make Liberia become successful in defeating the disease, which has changed most social behaviors in the country.

The LMHRA former Managing Director also stated that the Liberia Marketing Association (LMA) along with other authorities must put all the necessary measures in place to prevent the over crowdedness of public domains especially preventing individuals who are also selling none food items from the streets so that Liberia will not have the worst situation in this health crisis.

“If we must restrict the movement of people then we should make sure only people who are selling essential things like food because everybody needs food at this time of crisis. No one wants to buy clothes, shoes or non-food items now,” Pharmacist Sumo noted.

Dr. Sumo told FrontPageAfrica that the LMA and others should get involved to reduce the over population of individuals, who come out to buy food items.

He wants a system be put in place that the over crowdedness that are presently seen at some big business places can stop.

Dr. Sumo emphasized that if nothing is done to fully implement social distancing, Liberia might experience the worst cases.

He also called on African leaders to see the need to invest more in science and research; adding: “Huge investment in this area will make us self-reliance when it comes to any outbreak of disease in the world.”

If we must restrict the movement of people then we should make sure only people who are selling essential things like food because everybody needs food at this time of crisis. No one wants to buy clothes, shoes or non-food items now

Dr. (PhD) David Sumo

He urged Liberians to keep safe by following the preventive measures put in place by health authorities.

According to him, with the extension of the State of Emergency from 21 to 60 days, there is a need for the following actions to be taken distribution of masks for doctors and nurses while on duty at all times, masks for tellers at banks, dispensers in pharmacies and medicine stores, shopping centers and cash officers.

Meanwhile, Dr. Sumo has called on stakeholders including commercial taxi drivers to wear masks and always have hand sanitizers while driving.

He warned that if social distancing isn’t adhere to fully, Liberia will remain in this fight against the virus for a long time. Pharmacist Sumo lauded the government for efforts being put in place to contain the spread of the disease. He also thanked the healthcare workers for putting their lives on the line to save other lives.