Richardson Paye, a doctoral candidate in clinical psychology at Immatcuta Catholic University in suburban Philadelphia has called on Liberians to initiate indigenous efforts to meet Liberia’s development needs. Mr. Paye was speaking recently at the fundraising dinner organized by Carepath Inc. a social services organization established by a group of Liberians that is geared towards providing various intervention strategies to at-risk young people in Liberia.

Mr. Paye, who served as the key note speaker at the occasion told his audience that Liberia has gone through many years of retrogressive transformation as the result of the civil war. Therefore, he believes “every Liberian has the responsibility to assist Liberia recover from its misery”. Continuing, he stated “Liberia needs the participation of every Liberian in the socioeconomic development efforts because no nation develops without the involvement of its people”, to the applause of the audience. He cautioned Liberians against leaving socioeconomic development and entrepreneurship in the hands of non Liberians because it is not the responsibility of “nongovernmental organizations and foreigners to develop Liberia”.

Mr. Paye, a 1992 graduate of the University of Liberia in economics and mathematics told his audience that the civil war decimated the social and economic fabric of Liberia rendering its citizens indigent. In view of this, it is beholden upon Liberians in the Diaspora to take the initiative in the reconstruction of the country. Mr. Paye who also serves on the board of Carepath, concluded his address by warning the Carepath executives and members against any acts that would betray the reason for which the organization was established.

Earlier, during a power point presentation, Ms. Gurly Gibson-Brown, the Executive Director of Carepath, informed the attendees that Carepath was established in 2004 to “help provide cost effective community based youth programs that contribute to the total well being of impoverished youth in Liberia, and provide educational opportunities that foster independence”. She further stated that “Carepath is undertaking various programs in Liberia including transitional accommodation for young females between the ages of fourteen and eighteen, HIV Aids education and prevention”, among others. Ms. Gibson-Brown assured Liberians that the organization will strive to serve all Liberian youth as the availability of resources permit. Concluding, she appealed to Liberians and friends of Liberia to support her organization’s various projects in Liberia. She believes only with the support of the public can Carepath continues to provide critical services to the Liberian people.

There were various organizations and businesses represented at the program. They included the West Africa America Trading Corporation, an import-export business based in the United States with offices in Monrovia. Its president, Mr. John Juzbasich, contributed three desktop computers to Carepath, and promised to assist the organization to achieve its goals. Mr.Arthur Watson, the National President of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA), and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of ULAA, Mr. Anthony Kesselly represented ULAA at the program. Speaking on behalf of ULAA, Mr. Watson assured Carepath executives and members of ULAA’s support as the organization endeavors to serve the Liberian people. The program was attended by an array of well wishers, friends and supporters of Carepath, Inc.