Measuagoon: Helping Liberian Villagers to Help Themselves
By George H. Nubo
Oct 2, 2000

Liberia has not recovered from the misery created by the country's seven year civil conflict. The economy and infrastructures were ruined, with the national resources plundered by warlords and their followers. Sadly, the hapless peasants who lived in villages across the country also fell prey to the various warring factions that were fighting for power. At the time, they comforted their victims or the Liberian people with "one day, things will be alright."

Three years after the civil war and national elections that brought Charles Taylor to power, things have yet to be "be alright". During his campaign, Mr. Taylor said, "I spoilt it, I'll fix it", but Liberians have now been reduced to street beggars. Those who plundered the resources of the country are still stealing any little amount that could have been used for development. In short, the Government does not have the will to develop the country. It is instead using the peasants, who are still bleeding from the terrors they experienced during the war, for economic gain. The recent reinstitution of hut tax and the imposition of tariffs on barrels of personal effects sent by people in the US and elsewhere to their relatives in Liberia are indications that the government does not have the Liberian people at heart.

Despite bottlenecks created by former rebels who are now masquerading as politicians, and in the absence of any concrete effort on the part of the Government to reconstruct what they destroyed during the war, there is a group that is trying to help to alleviate the rigors of the plight of the hapless Liberian villagers. The group know as MEASUAGOON which began operation over two years ago has made a difference in the lives of some villagers under its "Adopt-A-Village" program.

Measuagoon started its efforts of assisting villagers to assist themselves in a village called Kormah. Since then the efforts have been spreading like wild fire to other villages across the country. Their projects include agricultural initiatives such as planting rice, vegetables, etc for and by villagers. The sponsors (Liberians and friends of Liberia) provide funds for seeds, tools and food for the villagers who undertake the projects themselves. Proceeds from the initiatives are for the villagers.

Other projects undertaken by the group include the "distribution of clothing and books to schools throughout the country". Among several beneficiaries of its book project are the University of Liberia, and the Baptist Seminary.

To make life easier for the group and its contributors, Measuagoon has recently acquired a 501(C) status in the US. This means all contributions made by Liberians and friends of Liberia residing in the US, U.S. citizens and organizations to Measuagoon development project has an opportunity to claim exemption for tax purposes.

Detailed report on Measuagoon work in Liberia including their 1999 financial statement can be found at: http://www.theperspective.org/measuagoonproject.html