“Don't Give Me X-Mas Gifts…Says Pres. Sirleaf As She Dedicates LISCR's Project

[Miss-Delectable]

The Inquirer Online : “Don't Give Me X-Mas Gifts…Says Pres. Sirleaf As She Dedicates LISCR's Project

“Let me call on all of those who would try to give me Christmas gifts because some have started. Please don't give Christmas gifts. I don't need them,” President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has said. President Sirleaf instead urged all those wishing to gift her Christmas gifts to direct them to orphanages, to kids in hospitals, the old folks in the communities and the needy because they need it more. Speaking when she dedicated the Deaf and Mute Home in Barnersville, outside Monrovia, President Sirleaf said if such gifts are given to these institutions, the givers will be more satisfied and blessed by God.

The Deaf and Mute Home was renovated with a grant of a US$100,000 from the Liberia Ship and Corporate Registry (LISCR) and Implemented by Mr. Robert Sirleaf, who in turn sub-contracted a Chinese firm for the renovation. Speaking further, the President commended LISCR for the grant and noted that most of Liberia's corporate citizens are now coming to the aid of government in meeting the needs of the ordinary citizens following appeals from the government. She recounted the level of assistance given by Sethi Brothers, City Builders, the Lebanese Community and others in assisting with the country's reconstruction efforts.

President Sirleaf said she told Liberia's corporate partners that “on Saturdays, lots of officials go to you begging for a 'Saturday'. Bring the Saturdays to term. Respond to the need of the people who are needy. Do something for the children and the young people of Liberia. They are the ones who need the most.” Earlier she recounted the efforts of her son Robert Sirleaf and the husband of the United States Ambassador to Liberia who visited the Deaf Home and saw the need of renovating the building which at the time lacked toilets and other facilities, saying, “they are the heroes.” LISCR Vice President Joseph Keller for his part said LISCR as corporate intends to play its role to the best of their ability. Mr. Keller promised that over the next ten years, LISCR will do its share in promoting corporate social responsibility and consciousness. He noted that the LISCR contract with the Government of Liberia (GOL) is an open corporate entity with transparency as its hallmark.

He said prior to the renewal of the contract, the activities of LISCR was investigated by the GOL and the United Nations (UN) and they found out that it was transparent as they found nothing wrong.

That's great that she wants the deaf to be helped too. I read her biography, which is quite good and inspiring

 

[Miss-Delectable]

LISCR Restores Smiles to B'ville Deaf, Mute Mission

allAfrica.com: Liberia: LISCR Restores Smiles to B'ville Deaf, Mute Mission (Page 1 of 1)

About 50 young deaf and mute students will no longer have to run into the bushes and towering grass to ease themselves, because the dilapidated structure that hosted them has been modernized.

With funding from the Liberia International Ship Corporate Registry (LISCR), through the instrumentality of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's son, Robert Sirleaf, the Bardnersville Community ACFI Deaf Mission School is now a new home for the less fortunate.

The 20-room structure (including class and bedrooms) now has decent bathrooms with commode, floor mat and running water-facilities that never were before renovation began about seven weeks ago, students and authorities say.

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, dedicating the renovating center Sunday, December, 14, 2009, lauded LISCR, the institution that manages the country's Maritime program, for what she called "the good public corporate responsibility".

She said LISCR was among the many corporate agencies in the country including Lebanese businesses that are responding to her government's call for corporate entities to assist with the development of the country.

She said Lebanese businesses in particular have engaged in the renovation of schools in Bomi and Montserrado counties, something she described as a "Welcoming initiative".

The Liberian leader said thought the children at the center were deaf and mute, they, too, have skills that can be developed, lauding the teachers and staff of the center for their worthwhile services to humanity.

The Liberian leader reemphasized calls on business entities and corporate agencies not to give government officials "Saturdays" and "Weekends", but they should rather used these 'packages' to build schools and other facilities for the Liberian children.

The Director of the Mission, Pastor Harrington Judedoe, said they were quite grateful for the marvelous work done on the structure that was in a very bad condition. "We thank God got LISCR and for Mr. Robert Sirleaf for the humanitarian work."

"We got in touch with Mr. Sirleaf and he got in touch with LISCR who have made this building a new one," he told The Informer.

The Vice President of LISCR Joseph Keller, in a brief statement, said his entity was pleased to be part of such initiative, and it would do more in the next ten years-the life span of its current contract with the Liberian Government.

He said as corporate entity, LISCR intends to play its role to the best of its ability during the coming years.

Mr. Keller indicated that though LISCR was created 10 years ago to manage the country's ship registry and "This does not mean that we can not engage in community development."

He said more of what was done to the deaf and mute school would be demonstrated, noting that "public interest" will always be included in the "corporate decision making" of the LISCR.

A proxy of Mr. Sirleaf, Mohammed Paasewe said his boss (Sirleaf) was pleased for the successful implementation of the project.

"When we came here, the condition of the building was in a deplorable state. There were no bathrooms and children went into the bush to ease themselves; today, they have a new building," Mohammed said

He said LISCR provided roughly US$100,000 to his boss for the revamping of the facilities. He lauded the contractor, a Chinese construction firm, Qingdao Construction Group, for completing the project in six weeks.

U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield presented gift of toys to the deaf and mute students on behave of her husband, Mr. Lafayette Greenfield, who had earlier hosted them.

Pastor Judedoe told The Informer that the ACFI - African Christian Fellowship International - established the mission in 1997 and operated in Gardnersville, but was compelled to the mission to Bardnersville township, when owner of the structure which was initially used inflated lease fees.

"We were forced to move on our own land and began building the structure in 2007. It was not complete, but we had no other alternative, but to be here," he stated.

Twenty nine students live on the compound while the 21 come form the nearby communities to attend school on the mission. The school runs up to junior high level, and students are paying about L$2,500 after international support was halted over the year. Every thing was initially free.

"Today, we are very happy for the level of great work done here. We hope that others will come to help us build our school, which foundation we have laid over there", pointing in the direction of a flat rectangular-like foundation. D K Sengbeh writes.