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Orphans Of War
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| An African proverb teaches that it takes a village to raise a child. But in Liberia, years of war have forced a cultural change. So many children have been left parentless that most communities simply can’t handle the responsibility. As a result, the country has resorted to establishing orphanages. The United Methodist Church of Liberia runs one of the largest in the country which currently is helping nearly 100 children. | |||
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SCRIPT:
Location: Monrovia, Liberia
Natsound: Children singing
This is one of Liberia’s newest ventures.
Natsound: Children continue to sing
It’s an orphanage for nearly 100 children, most left parentless as a result of Liberia’s long civil war.
The Rev. Samuel Quire / Director: “They came traumatized from the war. Some of them witnessed scenes where their parents were killed right before their eyes.”
The Rev. Samuel Quire is a United Methodist pastor who runs this refuge. He’s a popular father figure who knows what the children long for.
Pastor Quire: “They need a father to love; they need a mother to care, because these are innocent kids and, because of a senseless war the adults made, they have become victims. They are war casualties.”
Unique to this orphanage are individual cottages that are set up with a family atmosphere. Each cottage has a house mother and father, often a husband and wife who have themselves been displaced as a result of war.
Pastor Quire: “The facilities can take up to 225 children and we offer formal education; we offer counseling; we offer Christian education. We try to give these kids hope.”
Natsound: Children singing
Most of the funding for this orphanage has come from United Methodist churches in Michigan and Ohio.
Natsound: Children continue singing
Up to now, none of the children have been adopted. But Pastor Quire is optimistic that one day others will further rescue these children by taking them into their own homes elsewhere around the world.
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Anyone interested in helping Liberia can do so by calling The United Methodist Committee on Relief at (800) 554-8583. More information on the Bishop Judith Craig Home is available at http://www.gbgm-umc.org/childrensvillage.