Civitan calls for infrastructural development

A non-profitable organization, Civitan International, has called for infrastructural development in Liberia to improve the lives of citizens. Speaking over the weekend, Executive Vice President W. John Rynearson said the availability of infrastructural development will boost the government-citizen relationship.

Civitan International is an organization of volunteer service clubs around the world, dedicated to helping people in their respective communities. It helps wherever the need arises by collecting food for the homeless shelter, to volunteering at local retirement homes, to building a playground for children with disabilities.

He said Civitan is proud to come to Liberia to help people with developmental disability in different communities, clarifying that the group is not a humanitarian organization.

According to him, Civitan helps to build the capacity of citizens in a member country through due payment and donations by dedicated Civitan members in the United States and other parts of the world. He noted that the establishment of the group in Liberia is made possible by Liberians themselves, who have deemed it necessary for Civitan to come to Liberia.

Speaking at the induction ceremony for new Civitan club members Liberia Chapter, Ryneason said Civitan International through Civitan Liberia Group will work with community members to identify areas for collaboration. Over hundred new Civitan Club members were inducted into the Civitans Liberia Chapter and certificated as well.

He noted that Civitan also works to support the next generation of leaders through the Courtney W. Shropshire Scholarships, awarded each year, adding, “Every day, Civitans make a difference in their local communities and around the world.”

Civitans Liberia’s Chapter President Mr. Isaac Brown, welcomed the organization in Liberia and promised to work with club members to build the capacity of citizens in making them useful to Liberia. Mr. Brown noted that the presence of Civitans in Liberia is a great sign of improvements in the lives of Liberians to contribute to their country’s development process.

During the induction and certification of new Civitan members, two executives of the organization, W. John Rynearson and the Vice President and Corporate Counsel of Civitans International Keith Sheffield were gowned.

Civitans have been helping people since the organization’s founding in 1917, by a group of businessmen determined to making a difference in their community.

In the 1950’s, Civitan adopted a special emphasis on helping people with developmental disabilities. Civitan was one of the major supporters of Special Olympics International, and thousands of Civitans still support these local events. Civitan clubs also fund and organize special camps and events for people with developmental disabilities.