FRED empowers rural dwellers

Foundation for Empowerment of Rural Dwellers or FRED, a local NGO has embarked on series of activities aimed at improving lives of citizens in southeast Liberia.

In an interview with this paper recently in Barclayville, Grand Kru County, FERD Executive Director, Jonah S. Toe, says his organization is working with rural communities in the southeast, especially inaccessible communities to help improve lives of rural dwellers.

He explains that the organization is working in various thematic areas, including women, children, and the elderly.He disclosed that FRED has launched interventions in the areas of constructing schools, clinics, and roads in the region, particularly Grand Kru County.

According to Mr. Toe, the organization is presently in Boa Gilatike, Foboi, Doboi, Garraway, Tren District, Bewan, and Barclayville, respectively. He names Grand Kru County Senator Dr. Peter Coleman, as Board Chairman of FRED, adding that Dr. Coleman is the brain behind the Foundation.

The director also reveals that Senator Coleman is interested in seeing lives of citizens in southeast Liberia improved at a gauge that could be compared to standard of life in Monrovia.Mr. Toe describes the Grand Kru Senator as a philanthropist, who wants to transform lives and notes that Foundation is currently lobbying for funding from donors and partners to achieve its programs.

FRED, which was established in August, 2014 with the motto: Empowering Rural Inhabitants, started operation two years ago. It has constructed several kilometers of roads, linking over 25 towns and villages to Barclayville, which have created easy access to farm-to-market roads.

Recently, Board Chair Senator Coleman broke grounds for the construction of Yahn Cooper Jiglakeypor Elementary and Junior High School in the area. “When the people are impacted by development, they are very much at peace, and FERD cards are on the table to continue to venture into development in the southeast”, Director Toe vows.

He says the group maintains zero tolerance on violence against women and children by any of its staff, disclosing FRED is working with partners, including CHAL Liberia, USAID and others to stop Sexual and Gender Base Violence against girls and women.

By George K. Momo/ Grand Kru-Editing by Jonathan Browne