Union AME Church collects school supplies for needy children in Liberia

WARWICK — Members of Warwick’s Union AME Church are helping children in the West African nation of Liberia, a country ravaged by years of war and bloodshed, have access to elements of a quality education.

As a result of its mission project, more than 50 backpacks filled with pencils, paper, crayons, markers, rulers and other school supplies were recently collected and are in the process of being shipped to Liberia.

“When we heard how school-aged children are walking miles to school carrying their chair in one hand and their already-used school supplies in the other,” the Rev. Kevin Taylor, pastor of Union AME Church, said, “we had to act.”

The church found a partner in the Sirleaf Market Women Fund International of Liberia and AME University in Monrovia, Liberia, to ensure that the books, school supplies and messages of hope and encouragement are received.

“Union is a congregation committed to education, outreach and the holistic support of all of God’s children,” added Taylor. “I am proud of the members of union for exceeding our original goal of 20 filled backpacks and I am appreciative of the strong support we’ve received from the Warwick community as part of this initiative.”

Prayers for peace, regardless of religion

Channabel Latham-Morris, co-chairperson of the church’s Women’s Season Committee, said that the idea of the mission project for Liberia originated after viewing the film, “Pray the Devil Back to Hell” at the church’s annual prayer breakfast in February.

The award-winning documentary tells the story of a peace movement, “Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace,” which brought down dictator Charles Taylor, ended 14 years of civil war and led to the election of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as Africa’s first elected woman president.

“We were all moved by the way the women of Liberia, Christian and Muslim, young and old, prayed for peace,” she said. “And because of their efforts, Liberia’s oppressive government was toppled.”

First of many initiatives
Taylor noted that congregation was so moved by the film, that they hosted a special encore presentation and discussion, which featured a former administrator at AME University in Monrovia, a representative from SirLeaf Market Women Fund and a former resident of Liberia.

“We are confident that this will be the first of many mission-minded initiatives from the church,” he said. “We’ve already begun planning how each of our special events during the year: Women’s day, youth day, men’s day, homecoming, our church anniversary and so forth, can have a community outreach component to expand God’s kingdom.”

- Roger Gavan