-Ahead of the July 26 Independence Anniversary
By P. Clarence Jackson in Gbarnga, Liberia
The central Liberian city of Gbarnga in Bong County are being given a facelife by a number of Red Cross volunteers, as Liberia prepares for the celebrations of her 171st Independence anniversary which takes place this Thursday July 26, 2018.
As a normal tradition, the day is expected to be observed throughout the length and birth of the Republic in a very colorful fashion. As this year’s celebrations draw nearer, there is a need to give the various cities in the Republic facelift and improve sanitary condition under which the celebration will be held.
In Gbarnga, the Bong County Chapter of the Liberian National Red Cross Society (LNRCS) has taken the bull by the honour by mobilizing its many volunteers to do just that, as philanthropic and humanitarian individuals and organization.
Wwith support from its international partner, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Liberian Red Cross over the weekend collaborated with the Gbarnga City Corporation, and the Gbarnga Youth Center to provide give Gbarnga a face-lift and improve the sanitary condition in a city with a lot of history.
The day-long clean-up campaign, which took place on Saturday, was held at different strategic locations in Gbarnga City through and included 55 of the Red Cross volunteers who collaborated with the other Institutions to carry out the exercise.
Red Cross Volunteers on the Baltimore Boulevard
According to the Field Officer of the Bong County Chapter of the LNRCS, Richard Tokpah, the purpose of the exercise is to showcase the National Society’s humanitarian roles, strengthen visibility, profile, and to also strengthen the Red Cross community engagement with local authorities and the public.
Mr. Tokpah told www.newspublictrust.com that through this clean-up exercise, it is expected that the volunteers and membership strength of the LNRCS Bong County Chapter will be increased.
He said the LNRCS has always over the years been a community service partner to the Government of Liberia during the celebrations of the Independence Days.
The Liberian Red Cross official cited the provisions of ambulance service, identifying with the less fortunate in society, among other services the LNRCS was engaged in as part of its humanitarian mission.
A Red Cross Volunteer taking away garbage from the Gbarnga Broad Street
The Red Cross Bong County Chapter Field Officer said, besides brushing the grass, the volunteers were also involved in sensitizing community residents on the importance of a clean environment and the Red Cross and its contributions to humanitarian situations around the world.
Mr. Tokpah said the Gbarnga Central Market, the Main Baltimore Boulevard and several other public facilities benefited from the just-ended clean up exercise in Gbarnga.