Crusaders take anti-stigmatization campaign to Nimba

The Liberia Crusaders for Peace Without Borders has launched a campaign against stigmatization of Ebola victims or survivors in Small Ganta Community, Nimba County.

Speaking during the formal launch, Cultural Ambassador Madam Juli Endee, said,  Small Ganta is among several communities in Nimba County and Liberia at large that were badly affected by the Ebola Virus outbreak.

Ambassador Endee said the program is intended to campaign against the stigmatization of survivors.

For his part, Nimba County District #8 Representative, Larry Younquoi, commended the crusaders for the initiative and Ambassador Endee to go across the entire county, noting that not only Small Ganta community but other communities in Nimba were affected. The NewDawn correspondent in Nimba, said the survivors thanked the group for the concern expressed by going to their aid, and called on the government to do more for Ebola survivors.

Amb. Endee asserted that survivors of Ebola pose no risk to their communities, adding, if a person is cured of the virus, there is no way such person can be a carrier, as such, there was no need to stigmatize survivors.

She said the outbreak of Ebola is another way of changing traditional practices of Liberians, where bodies were cremated rather than usual burial rite.

She then urged community dwellers to consider and treat Ebola survivors as normal persons like themselves and be willing to work with them without fear.

Meanwhile, Madam Juli Endee has presented US$1,000 to the Small Gant Community on behave of Central Bank of Liberia Executive Governor Dr. Milles Jones and US$500 to citizens of Busie, including hygienic materials.

By Franklin Doloquee, Nimba