By Joseph Joboe, SOS Children’s Villages in Liberia, Communication & Brand Coordinator /
Last week, SOS Children’s Villages in Liberia dedicated a new playground for children in Buchanan to enable them to Laugh, Learn and Play.
Development Superintendent Flee Glay, Buchanan City Mayor Moses Haynes, SOS Children’s Villages in Liberia Acting National Director Prosper Ndione, Grand Bassa County Head for Liberia National Police Women & Children protection Dennice Sackie, Ministry of Youth & Sports County Coordinator Jallah, Children Representative Lisa Browne and other students gathered to celebrate the dedication of the new playground in Buchanan.
This is an exciting day for the children of this city to have a new and beautiful playground where they can play and smile,” says Buchanan City Mayor Moses Haynes.
“Thank SOS Children’s Villages in Liberia for funding this playground. The city corporation is glad to partner with SOS Children’s Villages for the construction of the project,” Major Haynes added.
Buchanan is a port city 113 km southeast of Monrovia, the capital of Liberia. It is the third largest city in the country, with a population of over 35,000 people.
“The playground will provide opportunities for children to stay away from the street, especially on holidays,” said Development Superintendent Flee Glee.
“I applaud our partner SOS Children’s Villages for the support towards our children. The government of Liberia cannot do everything. You have always been there. There is no doubt you are our true partner,” he added.
The project is part of the SOS Children’s Villages in Liberia COVID-19 Emergency Response Programme (CERP), funded by the Hermann Gmeiner Fund Deutschland. Thousands of children in Liberia witnessed the death of their relatives and loved ones during COVID.
The goal of the project is to enhance the development of children and reduce the impact of COVID-19. Every child has the right to play, education, and protection. Recognizing these rights, a once abandoned place, was transformed into a beloved destination for children.
Children Representative Lisa Browne thanked SOS Children’s Villages in Liberia for the playground. “I am happy to be part of this program. Many children will have the opportunity to play. This is a special day for all of us,” said Lisa.
The construction of the playground is yet another testimony of SOS Children’s Villages desire and vision to reach many more children.
Acting National Director of SOS Children’s Villages in Liberia Prosper Ndione noted that the project is a result of the combined efforts of the partnership between SOS Children’s Villages in Liberia, the funder Hermann Gmeiner Fund Deutschland, and the county authorities.
In addition to the newly constructed playground, the organization has ten (10) integrated families with fifty-nine (59) children under the family-like (alternative) care programme.
In partnership with the government of Liberia and other stakeholders, SOS Children’s Villages in Liberia has invested in Grand Bassa over the past 23 years.
Currently, SOS Children’s Villages in Liberia is supporting ninety-six (96) families, three hundred seventy-three (373) children, and young people through a family-strengthening programme in Buchanan and its surrounding communities.
“We need to go the extra mile. Children, young people, and their families need more social and political will. We call on the government and partners to invest urgently in services that give children and young people the best start in life. Increasing investment in child and youth development is a critical step government can and should take,” says Prosper Ndione.
Mr. Ndione urges Grand Bassa County authorities to allocate a substantial amount of the county’s social development funds to children’s development and youth empowerment.
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