Churches in the Holston Conference have taken part in the annual Hands-On Mission Project for more than 20 years and donated hundreds of thousands of dollars in supplies to aid those in need.
This year, the Hiwassee District has been asked to provide Health Kits for Liberia. Beginning Sunday, April 14, Keith Church is challenging its members to participate and meet or exceed a goal of collecting 50 kits. If you would like to donate a Health Kit, pick up your Ziploc bags and shopping list at the church. Return your completed kit to Keith Church by May 31, 2019. An items list is also posted below.
Why Liberia?
Since 1989, two civil wars have torn apart Liberia, and while the wars ended in 2003, the country is still undergoing reconstruction. Many of the Liberians returning home are poor, under-educated, and confronted with debilitating inflation. The majority of youth are unemployed and disillusioned; some took part in war crimes but are being integrated back into society.
The Liberian United Methodist Church has taken a major role in addressing many of the postwar issues. In addition to operating the well-known and well-respected Ganta Hospital, which is a major source of medical and training facilities in the country, the Liberian UM church has long addressed the need for vocational training and education. Skills training in industrial, agriculture, artistic, and home arts is vital to promoting and encouraging economic growth and development in urban and rural communities.
This training has become essential in providing opportunities to the “lost” generation of Liberian youth, whose childhood was shadowed by the atrocities of war. Providing them with vocational training through the Liberian UM’s Vocational Education Department’s work creates a skilled pool of citizens who can assist the country’s long-term revitalization of the nation’s infrastructure and programs. It also helps provide disenfranchised youth with opportunities that continue to promote the stabilization of the country.
The church also operates nearly 100 elementary and secondary schools, several colleges, and the University of West Africa.
Helen Roberts-Evans, Director, Department of General Education & Ministry,
Liberia Conference of the UMC
Helen Roberts-Evans is a missionary of the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church, serving as director of the Department of General Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church in Liberia. She was commissioned in October 2009, having initially gone to Liberia as a mission volunteer in July 2008. Helen was born in Liberia and her return as a missionary was a lifelong dream. Helen’s work includes meeting needs in such areas as teacher training, scholarships, resources, new school construction, and school building renovation and repair.