Bong Miners’ fundraising dinner a great success
It was a remarkable turnout as members of the Association of Bong Miners (ABM) in the Liberian diaspora hosted a benefit and fundraising dinner in Philadelphia, the USA on February 18.
The occasion was the brainchild of a few individuals who had previously resided in the Liberian mining town of Bong Mines in Bong County.
It brought together a cross-section of Bong Miners in the Philadelphia area and was hailed as a good example of the true spirit of oneness, as was the case in Bong Mines prior to Liberian civil war.
The gathering comprised of former residents of the town, irrespective of their social, educational, ethnic and political differences- a cardinal objective of the community-based organization.
Key among the organization’s dreams are: 1) rekindling the camaraderie that existed among former Bong Mines residents, who reside in the United States at the moment; 2) lending assistance to key institutions, including the hospital and various educational institutions that survived the onslaught of the war years; 3) emphasizing the significance of oneness in a society that might have been driven by an invisible “class system” and 4) reaching out to donors who may be interested in lending a helping hand to a worthy cause.
The ABM Valentine’s Day jamboree, according to its interim leadership, was a precursor to a planned national convention of Bong Miners residing in the Americas, slated for July of this year.
The July event is expected to attract Bong Miners from across the United States and is also expected to usher in an elected leadership, culminating from a proposed constitution that is being drafted.
Meanwhile, ABM-USA is calling on all former inhabitants of Bong Mines to join in the effort to restore some basic services to the town, by getting on board and contributing to their heritage.
Prior to the 1989 military incursion, which led to the breakdown of law and order throughout Liberia and particularly the former mining town, there existed very little division among the youth population. It ostensibly ignored the fact that Bong Miners evolved from diverse backgrounds and social classes.
Apart from the two schools operated by the then Bong Mining Company–Zaweata and Bong Town schools–which catered to the educational needs of children and wards of their employees, several other schools and institutions impacted the lives of community dwellers.
Beyan Williams
