Orphan Aid Liberia Making a Difference

There are moments in life that matter. Some of us recognize them the instant they show themselves. Others can’t see those moments clearly until quite a time later, when everything has finally come into perspective.

Heroes are born in moments like that, sometimes a great many heroes all at once.

Before founding Orphan Aid Liberia, Daryl Roberts traveled to Liberia in July of 2008 on a mission trip with the intent of visiting orphanages.

What he saw when he got there changed the course of his life.

“The conditions in Liberia were disastrous,” said Roberts. “The orphanage housing was unsafe. There was virtually no protection from the elements. Diets were horrible, consisting of maybe one meal of rice a day, just very little nourishment.”

He also found that due to a serious lack in medical care, many of the children suffered with worms and bouts of malaria.

“I got there and knew immediately that God had given me 100 new children. I gladly took on the task,” said Roberts.

A group of volunteers were assembled and they immediately started feeding the children, bringing in medical care, clothing and school supplies. Funding was raised and Orphan Aid Liberia burst onto the scene.

The group has grown over the last two years, taking many trips to Liberia to build a safe and clean place for more than 100 orphans. Due to adequate funding and volunteers Orphan Aid Liberia constructed a new orphanage out of steel,  providing safety, longevity and termite resistance.

An elementary school was built to cater not only to children of the orphanage, but to village children who cannot afford to go to government provided schools. Orphan Aid Liberia has been able to fund staffing of campus cooks, security guards and teachers, bringing about a sense of security and quality of life that most of the children had never before experienced.

“Some of these children are orphans of civil war and many of their mothers died in child birth,” said Roberts. “Fathers are not necessarily able to take care of infants and they end up abandoned. Some of these little ones have seen horrific things, but I hope that now they can feel some comfort.”

And the organization is certainly going the extra mile to provide comfort. Electricity, which is extremely uncommon, a great asset to the orphanage, is currently provided through a diesel generator. However, a more economically and environmentally friendly solar panel is being placed in June.

There is still a lot of work being done all over the campus, including plans for a soccer field.

Roberts just returned from a trip to Liberia where he visited five other orphanages in desperate need of secure shelter and resources. When funding allows Orphan Aid Liberia to expand to help these orphanages, they will bring more than 300 additional children under the care of their ministry.

That means hundreds of children will benefit from malaria and de-worming medications in addition to safe housing, clothing, food, vitamins, education and caring fellowship.    

So how does Orphan Aid Liberia raise this essential funding?

Up to this point the majority of supporters have come from Bartow County and the surrounding areas. Donations vary from monthly sponsorships ranging from $10 to $100 and one-time monetary contributions.

With the launch of orphanaidliberia.com, donations can be made easily online via credit or debit card. They also accept cash or check donations as well as a unique “text to give” option. Detailed directions and mailing addresses can be found on the website.   

Recently, Orphan Aid Liberia kicked off its Call for Compassion campaign, hoping to reach 2,000 new monthly sponsoring heroes at $10 per month.

So what does Roberts believe is the best thing the mission has accomplished in Liberia so far?

“For me, I love to think of these children and where they are now opposed to where they were before, “said Roberts. “ We’ve provided a lot of things for them, but most importantly they know now that they’re not alone and not forgotten, people love them. They will be given opportunity, not left alone.”

For more information or to make a donation to Orphan Aid Liberia, visit the website at orphanaidliberia.com or contact the organization by phone at 770-547-6171. Also follow it on Facebook.