We are grateful to the owners and customers of Plant Therapy for their generous sponsorship of multiple Village Water Projects in 2013-14. Hundreds of people in rural Liberian communities will benefit from the generous donations of this top-rate essential oil enterprise.

In July 2013 we conducted needs assessments and site visits to many rural Liberian communities. Each had been identified by Universal Outreach Foundation (our Liberian partner NGO specializing in water well rehabilitation) as having a need for outside help in obtaining a safe water source. Five villages were designated as Plant Therapy Village Water Project beneficiaries. Nyamah. Kalimu. Bombor. Tahn Town (replaces Komah). Beablah. Each is preparing their Community Development Fund, which is system we introduced for saving funds at the village level for future maintenance of the water source and other self-development initiatives. Follow up visits and training took place in August and November. Digging began in February 2014 and ended in June 2014.

In January 2014 Chris Jones (owner, Plant Therapy) and Paul Stangar (employee) visited Liberia to get to know the people and locations where their sponsored wells will be installed. Additional communities were also identified for future water projects. Digging began in February 2104, with installations completed in June 2014.

NYAMA, Bomi County, Liberia

VIDEO OF FOLLOW UP VISIT, JAN 2014 WITH CHRIS JONES OF PLANT THERAPY. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND IN PLACE, READY FOR INSTALLATION 

VIDEO OF FOLLOW UP VISIT, OCT 2013 – COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND IS IN PLACE 

VIDEO OF FIRST VISIT, NEEDS ASSESSMENT, JULY 2013 

  • UPDATE (1.27.14): The Community Development Fund is in place, and installation is planned for April 2014.
  • Census: 19 households, ~225+ people. Not included with development of larger Vortor, education, clinic. Too far to walk for water.
  • Leaders present: Jerry Purleto (asst. youth leader)
  • Internal community development system: Nothing in place. Agreed to call a meeting to start one.
  • Current water status: Has a well that was provided by TearFund, but the well is open and people don’t use it, and part of it seemed to be missing. A surface grave was put in by one of the houses which is too close to the well. Everyone uses swamp water or rainwater.
  • Proposed solution: Dig a new well, close old one. Recycle pump if possible.
  • Next steps: They agreed to start the new CDF. UOF will follow up when they follow up with nearby community within a month. AHP new well late 2013 if CDF in place.

KALIMU, Bomi County, Liberia

  • UPDATE (1.27.14): The Community Development Fund is in place, and installation is planned for April 2014.
  • Census: 12 households, ~100 people + clinic + school and other nearby communities will use the water. Seems that the community is spread out along road, not well defined?
  • Leaders present: Benjamin Rogers (most outspoken male, leader); Chief Peter Moe; Yattah Rogers (chair lady)
  • Internal community development system: Nothing in place, even though they area in phase 3-4 with UOF. Should have already been started, Willie and Morris disappointed at lack of progress. Yattah seems to be the powerhouse and she committed to start the process.  Already have a WatSan committee. Warned that this would be their last chance; if they don’t get their CDF system working we will find another community to take their place.
  • Current water status: Has a functioning well that goes dry part of the year.  Cannot telescope it due to crumbling culverts.
  • Proposed solution: Dig a new well, close old one. Recycle pump.
  • Next steps: They agreed to start the new CDF. UOF will follow up when they do phase 4 training within a month. When CDF is in place and functioning new well can be provided late 2013.

BOMBOR, Bomi County, Liberia

VIDEO INTERVIEW WITH CHIEF AND ELDER IN BOMBOR WHO SHOW AND EXPLAIN THEIR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND, AND WHY CLEAN WATER WILL HELP THEIR VILLAGE, JAN 2014 

NEEDS ASSESSMENT, UNCLEAN WATER SOURCE, AND INTERVIEW WITH THE COMMUNITY, OCTOBER 2013 

Information forthcoming on this wonderful new village who will benefit from the Plant Therapy Water Project!

  • Census: 27 households, ~280 people
  • Leaders present: Francis Darfor (chief), Fred (Assistant Town Chief), many community members
  • Internal community development system: Have never heard of such a thing as community savings system or tax for the purpose of development.
  • Current water status: Drink from nearby stream except in dry season, when they will trek into the swamp to dig holes to get water. The swamp is also used as the toilet. No clean water source.
  • Proposed solution: Dig a new well, centrally located.
  • Next steps: They agreed to start the new CDF. UOF will follow up. New well to be installed in dry season 2014.

BEABLAH, BOMI COUNTY, LIBERIA

VIDEO OF FIRST VISIT TO BEABRA, NEEDS ASSESSMENT, INTRODUCTION OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND, JANUARY 2014

  • Census: 18+ households
  • Leaders present: some community members and elders
  • Internal community development system: Have never heard of such a thing as community savings system or tax for the purpose of development. But are committed to begin.
  • Current water status: Drink from nearby stream except in dry season, when they will trek into the swamp to dig holes to get water. The swamp is also used as the toilet. No clean water source.
  • Proposed solution: Dig a new well, centrally located.
  • Next steps: They agreed to start the new CDF. If they are able to complete their CDF, Plant Therapy will sponsor this project in dry season 2014.

TAHN TOWN, BOMI COUNTY, LIBERIA

Media and details forthcoming…