Life after Ebola
LIBERIA – Like many people in Liberia, Ma Kemah and her family are still recovering from the effects of the Ebola epidemic that swept the country in 2014. years. Almost everyone in the country has a story and Ma Kemah, who lives in a community just outside the city of Monrovia, is no exception. She lost two sons and one daughter in the rapidly spreading deadly epidemic. Four of her surviving grandchildren, children known as Ebola orphans, now live with her.
Raising four children, ages nine to fourteen, presented challenges for Ma Kemah, but Operation Blessing International was there to help. The organization met Ma Kemah because two of the grandchildren, Kemah and Abass, are part of the OB Liberia orphan program. Through this program, along with approximately 170 other Ebola orphans, they were given access to food, clothing and education.
They are also provided with regular home visits with the aim of checking their health status. But Operation Blessing Liberia wanted to do more for Ma Kemah and her family, so they gave her a sturdy new business kiosk filled with bright green groceries, no less. In that kiosk, Ma Kemah and her grandchildren now run what Westerners would call a small shop. They sell groceries and household items like rice, oil, milk, coffee, toiletries, diapers, paper, batteries and more. Ma Kemah was literally delighted when she saw the new kiosk.
It is located on the street right next to her house and can comfortably accommodate her and her grandchildren to sell their wares. Now Ma Kemah has the opportunity to earn more income while taking care of her family at the same time. He hopes that, with the expected increased income, he will eventually be able to rebuild his dilapidated house. The people of the Operation Blessing organization know that by providing a business opportunity to families in need, they can earn a living for years to come, while at the same time fostering a sense of independence and dignity.
Ma Kemah is very grateful saying, “I am very happy about Operation Blessing. May God bless Operation Blessing”. And Operation Blessing International is grateful to all its generous supporters who made it possible!
