Food prices in Liberia

The price of rice, Liberians' number one staple food, has risen sharply from $23 for a 50 kg bag when Project 23 started at this time last year. Now it's almost $40 and, according to WFP, it's going to keep on going up -- it's already $50 for 50 kg next door in Guinea! -- at least through the rainy season.



What does this mean for us?

• Project 23 is going to keep its name, but become more and more important as prices rise. Project 23 was specifically designed to help those orphanages that are "falling through the cracks", those that aren't getting other outside aid, those suffering particularly harsh circumstances -- and it's going to keep reaching those children.
• Orphan Relief and Rescue is going to continue building up gardens and farms for many orphanages so that they sustain themselves through future shortages.
• We need your support more than ever to continue developing short- and long-term solutions for the six thousand children in Liberia living in destitute orphanages.

What can you do?

• Spread the word, get your friends involved, start something big by doing something small.
• Contact us with your idea for an event or campaign and we will support you in whatever way we can.
• The biggest difference you can make may be through prayer, whether it's individually or with your youth or church group. Please pray for the children in Liberia, especially during rainy season. Please pray for ORR, especially as we grow. And please pray for our people in Liberia, Benin and the U.S.
• Give us feedback! We sincerely want to hear from you. Please take a second to share with us any ideas, concerns, or connections that might help us improve.
  

Getting kids excited about helping kids

I've just returned from a fantastic (and full!) five weeks in Liberia, and sorting through my inbox this morning was so encouraging--all kinds of exciting things happening on THIS side of the Atlantic that everyone can get involved in.

Kids LAKE is a group of parents and teachers encouraging their children to raise awareness and resources for kids living in poverty. This month they're raising money for mosquito nets, saving lives $7 at a time. 100% of the money that the kids raise will go directly to our staff in the field, so every nickel and dime from that lemonAID stand goes right where it's needed most.

Having just got back from hanging a few dozen nets myself, I can tell you it's incredible how simple a net is, yet what a tremendous impact it makes.

To get your kids involved in small but lifesaving projects like this, visit www.kidslake.org. And thank you to all those kids and parents and teachers doing such great work!

Project 23 at Work

Your Project 23 dollars have been put to good use lately. With the price of rice rising almost exponentially, last month ORR decided to invest in over six thousand pounds of Liberia’s staple food. We saved hundreds of dollars over this week’s price. This will ensure that we can keep delivering these kids their favorite food throughout the rainy season!

Thank You for supporting Project 23!

The story of the pink latrine

This story begins a couple of years ago, when a woman from Minnesota came to Liberia and took the time to get to get to know the children at Mother Wleh's orphanage home. She touched their lives only in small ways while she was with them -- with smiles and hugs and treats -- but the bigger impact came after she left. She didn't forget them, and worked tirelessly to continue helping them.

 

She recruited a nurse to care for them, she sent them clothing and Christmas presents, and she raised money for latrines and showers to be built to improve the most basic lifestyle of the children.

Here is just one outcome of this woman's mission to help, in big ways or small. Thank you, Colleen, for not forgetting. And thank you for allowing us to help fulfill this little dream.