Church delivers food, water in wake of Ebola

Translate Page

The United Methodist Church of Liberia is providing monthly food assistance to help physically challenged and older adults whose needs have increased after the Ebola crisis. At the same time, the church is constructing wells in communities to provide clean water that will prevent health problems.

Almost 300 people come to S. T. Nagbe United Methodist Church on distribution days to receive food, said the Rev. Matthew Jaiah, the church’s pastor.

“This is part of our way of evangelizing in Monrovia,” Jaiah said.

Dubbed the Feeding Program of  S.T. Nagbe United Methodist Church and presided over by Evelyn Toe, the program also provides hot meals for the physically challenged, homeless, drug addicts and other individuals who cannot afford regular meals.

The feeding program cost the local church more than $1,500 each month, Toe said.

“We are fulfilling the mission of The United Methodist Church of Liberia and its partners overseas through this exercise,” she said. “We are open to all persons regardless of their faith.”

Be sure to add the alt. text

Children pose by the newly constructed hand pump at the Caldwell Community. Photo by the Human Rights Monitor, United Methodist Church of Liberia.

The United Methodist Church of Liberia has built and dedicated eight water wells throughout the suburb of Monrovia in eight communities that suffered from water contamination due to the Ebola crisis.

“The health of our people is crucial to The United Methodist Church of Liberia,” said Jefferson Knight, human rights monitor for the church in Liberia. Knight also said protecting the people from cholera and diarrhea is a step towards helping them out of poverty.

Since 2008, the “Water for Life Project” has been constructing water wells in different parts of Liberia as part of the United Methodist Church’s Peace with Justice program. The wells were funded by a grant of $19,000 from the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries’ Advance #3020811.

Swen is communicator for United Methodist Church in Liberia.

News media contact: Vicki Brown at (615) 742-5470 or [email protected]


Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

UMNEWS-SUBSCRIPTION
Mission and Ministry
Tim Tanton, United Methodist Communications. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.

Why church should care about press freedom

World Press Freedom Day is a time to reflect on the importance of newsgathering and the ties that connect freedom of expression and religion.
Global Health
A worshipper's temperature is taken before he is allowed into the worship service July 19, 2020, at Charles Davies United Methodist Church in western Freetown, Sierra Leone. On Aug. 16, a ban on congregational worship was lifted in the country, but churches must adhere to guidelines, including the use of face masks, social distancing and limiting services to 90 minutes. File photo by Phileas Jusu, UM News.

Despite Ebola lessons, COVID-19 challenges Africans

The more contagious delta variant, vaccine availability and skepticism are among the obstacles facing health officials and United Methodists in Africa.
Mission and Ministry
Tim Tanton (center, in red), chief news and information officer for United Methodist Communications, shares updates with African communicators and other UMCom staff during the 2019 General Conference. World Press Freedom Day, observed May 3, commemorates journalists and highlights the difficulties they face while reporting truth. File photo by Kathleen Barry, UM News

World Press Freedom Day and the church

Tim Tanton with United Methodist News talks about giving voice to the voiceless and why freedom of information is essential not only for society but for the church.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2023 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved