By: Edmund C. Gbarwee, Nimba D-9 TV Public Health Reporter, ceo@onenimbahouse.com, nimbad9tv2018@gmail.com +231778070604
Nimba, Liberia: – As Liberia emerges from 14 years of civil war and the devastating impact of Ebola, the country continues to face significant challenges with its systems in disrepair. The United Nimba Citizens’ Council (UNICCO), a diaspora organization from Nimba County, has initiated a remarkable development program called “UNICCO December to Remember,” launched in December 2019 in Ganta City, Nimba County Electoral District One, Liberia.
This landmark event brought together stakeholders and citizens from Nimba County, both from the diaspora and within the country. During the event, a notable milestone was the purchase of land for the construction of a US$250,000 UNICCO Women Empowerment Center (WEC). The groundbreaking ceremony for the WEC building took place 6 kilometers along the Ganta-Gbarnga highway in Domahpa, now aptly named “UNICCO-Village.”James Wuo Harris, the UNICCO Project Director at the time, expressed the program’s intent: “We have organized this development program to bring all of us together for economic value. When we come here from the USA, we will stay in hotels, provide scholarship opportunities, and some will find spouses here. Overall, we will leave each community with tangible development, and we are excited about that. The next administration will start on a better footing and do more as we continue to support every single developmental activity here in Nimba and the diaspora.”Madame Elaine Blanton, who served as National Vice President to Former President Dahn K. Dennis, viewed the homecoming day as a pivotal opportunity to support girls in need of quality education. She partnered with SAMBLET Liberia, a local faith-based community organization in Nimba County, to recruit ten deserving students from the Dahnque Public School in Gbarlay Old Town, Nimba County. The students ranged from ABC (beginner class) to 6th grade. Despite the unforeseen challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, Madame Blanton continued to support these students.
Today, the fruits of this initiative are evident. Students like Alecia Otis and George now attend school in Ganta City, Nimba County, and Emmanuel Yanzee has excelled, topping his entire school last year.
Under the leadership of Former President Dahn K. Dennis and Madame Elaine Blanton, UNICCO also supported Nimba students in Morocco with over US$1,600 during a stipend delay crisis. They provided significant support to the Nimba County Soccer and Kickball Teams and contributed US$14,000 for COVID-19 relief, distributed across the 19 administrative districts of Nimba.”We are committed to serving our fellow citizens of Nimba County both in the diaspora and in Liberia because it is our passion. Seeing these wonderful kids grow with these life-changing opportunities makes me even more proud. As we move forward, we will continue to pray for God’s provision and good health,” said Harris. He called on friends and supporters to join in developing communities and implementing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.The “UNICCO December to Remember” program stands as a testament to the power of unity and community-driven development in transforming lives and rebuilding the future of Nimba County.
