Africa-Press – Liberia. World renowned charity organization, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints have successfully implemented a running water supply system, bringing much-needed relief to the residents of the Red Hill community in Pipeline, Paynesville.
The long-awaited project, implemented by the Evangelical Rehabilitation Children Program (ECREP), a local partner, promises to transform the lives of countless families who have endured years of struggling to access clean, reliable, and safe water for their daily needs.
The Red Hill community, situated in the Pipeline area of Paynesville and home to over 2,000 residents, has faced significant hardship due to the lack of clean water. Many families were forced to walk long distances to fetch water from nearby rivers and streams, often exposing themselves to unsafe conditions and waterborne diseases. This lack of a reliable water supply not only impacted the residents’ health but also hindered their progress in education, business, and economic opportunities.
During the project overview, CRS WASH Technical Advisor, Theophilus Davis, explained that in October 2021, CRS Liberia launched the Helping to Elevate the Lives of People in Small Cities (HELPS) project. This initiative, funded through CRS’s private WASH program, aimed to support the Liberian government in improving water services in urban and peri-urban areas.
Over three phases, CRS collaborated with the government, the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC), and the National WASH Commissioner to design and construct three modern, low-cost, community-managed water supply systems. According to Davies, this initiative has successfully provided basic water services to over 14,500 people across Kakata (Margibi County), the Newlife community (Johnsonville Township), and now the Red Hill community.
Davies highlighted the significant partnership in the final phase: “In 2024, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints partnered with CRS to co-fund the project, bringing additional resources and support. This collaboration enhanced the project‘s capacity and coverage, extending its positive impact to other communities.”
He further elaborated, “During this phase, CRS worked with its local partner, the Evangelical Rehabilitation Children Program (ECREP), and constructed a mini stand-alone water supply system, reaching over 7,000 people with basic water services and creating 7 new jobs in Red Hill Community, Johnsonville.”
CRS Country Representative Glynnis Cummings-John expressed her joy at the project’s completion and handover to the community and government. “We know the challenges that you have been facing over the years. We have seen the conditions at the water well where you have spent hours waiting and sifting water to make it drinkable, yet still facing health issues and children arriving late to school.”
She emphasized the transformative impact of the new facility. “We are so happy that this facility is going to make a dramatic change for this community. We are pleased to hand it over to you to take control and ensure its sustainability for yourselves, your children, and future generations,” she said.
CRS Country Rep. Cummings-John extended heartfelt gratitude to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for their crucial support to the project.
Cummings-John extended heartfelt gratitude to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for their crucial support, stating, “The support that you provided has gone a long way to address the needs of this community. Words are really not enough for the support that you provided.” She also thanked the government and other collaborating partners for their roles in making the project a reality.
Representing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Elder Daron Haddock conveyed his satisfaction with the partnership, saying, “We have come here to Liberia and have partnered with our CRS friends to do this project. We are thankful for the CRS work and very impressed with what they have done.”
He added, “It is a wonderful project, and we believe it will help others for many, many years. We are happy to be here with President Nyenforth, our area leader for this part of Liberia, representing the church in this humanitarian project. We hope you will all remember this wonderful day and our Father in Heaven, who has given you this opportunity to have clean water.”
The sunny afternoon saw the Red Hill community erupt in celebration as the clean water flowed from their new taps for the first time. Residents, young and old, gathered to witness this long-awaited moment. Cheers filled the air, children danced with joy, and families eagerly filled their containers, marking a symbol of hope and a new beginning for the Red Hill community.
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