Why Liberia?
We know there are literally hundreds of non-profit organizations seeking donations. Why choose Ri’ayah Foundation out of all the charities available? Founded by Liberians, for Liberians We have a vested interest in the...
Donate nowOur story, in our own words
Why Liberia?
We know there are literally hundreds of non-profit organizations seeking donations. Why choose Ri’ayah Foundation out of all the charities available? Founded by Liberians, for Liberians We have a vested interest in the country. We are not out to make a profit from your donations. We have family living in Liberia right now, today, who need our help. At the present time, we can help them more from the Ri’ayah Foundation located in Pennsylvania than we could by moving back to Liberia. Yet we all remember a strong, beautiful, self-supporting Liberia.
It is so difficult to watch the conditions of our homeland and the people in it deteriorate daily. Liberia was not always in need of help.
“I’m Not Liberian – Why Should I Help?” Liberians are humans. People just like you and me. With outside help, this is a country that has the resources to once again become a thriving, contributing member of the modern world economy. With outside help, Liberians can regain their health and their literacy can be brought back to pre-Civil War levels; with these problems resolved, they have the potential to become self-supporting once again. A healthier, happier, more fulfilling life is within their grasp with help from you. Without outside help, their situation is hopeless.
Care in action
Libera Is a Land of Opportunity Liberia has many natural resources. Land resources are abundant, from forests full of timber for harvesting to vast areas of land well suited for agriculture. Iron ore, natural rubber, gold and diamonds abound. Many crops are lucrative, but take years before harvest becomes available. Liberia is perfect for growing coffee, rice, cocoa, sugarcane, bananas, and many other crops that make excellent profitable exports.
But 80% of the population live below poverty level, and do not have the means to begin a startup or wait for the profits. Many people are also afraid to rebuild, worried that another war could again destroy all their efforts.
Liberia Was Not Always a Struggling Country In 1926, Firestone Tire and Rubber Company acquired the rights to over a million acres in Liberia for the production of rubber. The production of rubber provided a strong backbone to a solid Liberian economy. Once the largest rubber producing plantation in the world, production was forced to a halt by the outbreak of the First Liberian Civil War in 1990.
Care in action
Firestone began the process of restoring operations after the war, but Liberia’s population, economy, and political state are so fragmented that it has been difficult for the industry to achieve its former strength and become the major economic pillar of the country that it once was. Liberia Had Forward-Thinking Politics Many people think of most African countries as backwards, third-world countries. Yet Liberian lawmakers abolished forced-labor practices as early as 1936, and in 1958 (before many other countries), Liberia outlawed racial discrimination.
The Solution Ri’ayah Foundation itself is new, but our efforts have been ongoing for over three years now. We know that we can make a difference. With the help and support of others, we can do even more – which is why we formed the foundation. The people of Liberia are ready for hope, for change, for work. They want to learn and to prepare for jobs and a real future. Help us, through your donations and your volunteer labor, to give hope and help to the children of Liberia.
Your tax-free donations will help build schools, healthcare clinics, gardens, create fresh water sources, and provide doctors and medicines to people in need. Help us help them – one child, one family, one community at a time. Your donations can make the difference between life and death for a child, getting to eat regularly or not for children and adults, and being healthy and able to attend school or work or being too sick to provide for oneself or anyone else. Make the world a better place. One country at a time.
Care in action
Help us help the people of Liberia to have a future to look forward to.
Help us build a better tomorrow.
Your support helps Ri’ayah continue its work with children, families and communities in Liberia.