Liberian Observer (Monrovia)
Hassan Kiawu
14 July 2005
With the urgent need to assist the war-weary in Liberia, the women of FIRE stood ready and began to contribute humanitarian and other relief materials to the most vulnerable.
When Liberia's internal problems have been sorted out and lasting peace is now in sight, one women's group that would certainly go down in history for their community work most especially humanitarian assistance to orphaned and abandoned children is the Atlanta-based Women of FIRE (Friends Integrated for Remarkable Excellence).
It was set up three years ago by seven Liberian women to organize forums that would address some of the most critical social, contemporary and health issues affecting women as well as cater to the community and fellow compatriots who are making home away from home in America.
But with the urgent need to assist the war-weary in Liberia, the women of FIRE stood ready and began to contribute humanitarian and other relief materials to the most vulnerable.
The organization soon became a registered non-profit corporation in the Georgia, USA and increased the membership to eleven.
The group acknowledged that it's not going to be easy to undertake such a venture because of the political turmoil that has ravaged Liberia over 14 years. But with their unquestionable energies and passion for charitable efforts, they do seem to be up to the task.
And indeed that flame of hope which had been ignited some three years ago has now attracted the adulation across America and Liberia.
The organization is governed by a five-founding-member Board of Directors headed by Ellen Byrdsell. Other board members include Hawa-Ellen Knuckles, Vice-Chairman; Ethel V. Knuckles, Heleta Thornes and Kimberlyn Watkins.
The rest of members are Giede-De Boyd Williams, Wlede Pratt Frankfort, Alma Dennis-Muah, Nwane-Rose Williams, Celia Clement and Masmina Sirleaf.
Level of support
With a lot they've set their sight on to accomplish, the Women of FIRE has feverishly been planning to raise money and galvanize support to for their efforts.
As well as the level of support from the Liberian community in America more especially in the state of Georgia, the group has also cultivated enough confidence to successfully execute projects it has earmarked for the year.
Board Chairman Ellen Byrdsell and her deputy, Hawa-Ellen Knuckles told the Daily Observer that the organization's desire to assist their fellow compatriots back home is to foster what they call a sense of self-worth, the promotion of a better Liberian society and to raise the profile of the underprivileged.
This year's education initiative includes a scholarship to five students from schools certified by the Ministry of Education as well as a two-phased need assessment and shipment program, which would send urgently needed supplies to two orphanages in Monrovia.
The two officials said they have been inundated with applications from several schools to benefit from the program. But only five students from Cathedral and Monrovia College high schools were first time lucky after a random selection. The full year scholarships will cover tuition, uniforms and books for the 2005-2006 academic year.
Phase one would include need assessment and to provide educational and medical supplies to the Susie Guenter Orphanage Home in Monrovia.
'Most vulnerable'
The second phase will focus mainly on providing the much needed aid to the Liberia for Jesus Academy, an orphanage located in the Paynesville district about 43 kilometers East of the Liberian capital, Monrovia. The primary school, which is also home to 25 orphaned and abandoned children, has an enrolment of 600 pupils from kindergarten to the 6th grade level.
"We want to be able to assist our brothers and sisters who are most vulnerable and desperately in need. That's our goal and we must strive to meet it", Ellen noted.
The Women of FIRE also assists and supports humanitarian efforts by grass root organizations in Liberia that are being managed by Liberians.
Added Hawa-Ellen, "we shall continue to support grass root initiatives and help them in their growth and development. This is our way of championing the cause of oneness, self reliant and sending a message that in spite of all the odds, Liberians are supportive of each other".
Much to the delight of many Liberians, the organization also plans to set up a resource center in Monrovia. The center, which would be equipped with computers, library books and other reading materials will serve as a research center for students and educators alike.
Within five months of their formation in 2002, the women of FIRE ably undertook a series of projects dedicated towards the children of Liberia. It donated money to the UK-based relief group, Save the Children to carry out relief activities in Liberia.
It also donated canned and other food items to the Divine Mercy, an orphanage for the blind in Liberia as well as shipped out toys, books and other Christmas gifts to the Sey United Methodist Church for onward distribution to children in the community.
To date, the organization has provided approximately $15,000 in humanitarian aid to Liberian refugees and orphans in Ghana and Liberia respectively.
'Taste of Liberia'
Refugee children at the Budumbura camp in Ghana received clothing while orphans at the Victoria Thomas Orphanage in Matadi, in Monrovia's Sinkor district received 30 classroom chairs.
Part of FIRE's fund raising efforts in 2004 provided Christmas gifts and other essentials to 125 children of the group, Orphans of AIDS Foundation based in Monrovia. The organization provides assistance to children who have lost one or both parents to the AIDS epidemic.
And as part of its community awareness program, FIRE hosted a health seminar in Atlanta to educate Liberian women and the community on the various health concerns for today's women.
The organizations plans to hold its third annual "Taste of Liberia" festival in Atlanta, where organizers hope to raise at least $4,000.00 in support of the projects. The September 3rd event would showcase Liberia's rich cultural heritage through food representing all regions of the country. The program will also feature a fashion show and lots of entertainment.
Many Liberians are fascinated by the works of the Women of FIRE, whose board chairman Ellen Byrdsell and her deputy, Hawa-Ellen could not contain their delight during a recent interview on the progress of the organization which is rapidly scaling from its infancy.
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