Children who survived Ebola receives food and other items from the foundation

Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa (GPFA), founded by Nobel Peace Laureate Leymah Gbowee, on Wednesday affirmed its commitment to fighting the Ebola virus out of Liberia by providing direct community support to those affected by Ebola.

The GPFA Executive Director urged Liberians not to be carried away by the reduction of Ebola cases but rather to remain more focus than ever before, especially at the time schools were reopening.

Since its formation in 2012 GPFA has partnered with several international and local organizations with a premier objective to promote holistic transformation in Africa by facilitating equal access to opportunities in all spheres of influence.

In October last year, GPFA partnered with STARZ College of Science & Technology to distribute $1000 worth of bags of rice and cooking oil to families in the Airfield community in Monrovia, the Liberian capital. 

Over 20 families received food emergency packages. Families patiently lined up to receive food allowance to help offset the challenges the health crisis has placed on marginalized families as STARZ facilitated the disbursement process.

In December, the foundation upped its food drive to focus on two vulnerable groups: Survivors of Ebola (particularly children) and female-headed households with young children. 

GPFA also partnered with Amos Sawboh of Orphan Concern Liberia, a Liberian youth initiative that supports survivors of Ebola to identify several persons in need of aid in the Banjor area in the Virginia Community outside Monrovia. 

Some of the medical aid given to a clinic outside the Liberian capital. The foundation’s executive director W. Piso Saydee Tarr is 3rd from right

GPFA distributed $4,000 worth of care packages of rice, cooking oil, beans, oats, sugar, canned milk, seasoning cubes and health kits of chloride, soap and hand sanitizers to over 30 families who had survived Ebola.

An additional 20 families of elderly female-headed households caring for dependent children received care packages and health kits in the Clara Town, Topoe Village on Gardnersville Highway, Matadi, and Morristown communities in Monrovia. 

As caretakers, girls and women are particularly at risk during the current health crisis. 

To ensure that care packages and health kits went to the most vulnerable, GPFA hand-delivered supplies to families.

Over 70 families received care packages and health kits. GPFA’s partnership with Kids Engagement Project that provided books and educational materials to children at home when schools were closed, with Orphan Concern monitoring their progress.