LOCAL NEWS
RIVERGEE COUNTY – Joy, relief, and renewed hope have swept across Kiteabo Nyenawiliken in Kiteabo Chiefdom, Electoral District #3, River Gee County, following the successful rehabilitation of the community’s damaged hand pumps by the Kuncares Foundation, restoring access to safe drinking water after years of hardship.
By: Pah G. Jallah Jr. – Voice of RiverGee Reporter
The intervention has ended the community’s prolonged and dangerous dependence on untreated water from nearby creeks and River Gbeh, where residents were forced to fetch water for drinking, cooking, bathing, washing, and other household needs after all of the community’s hand pumps became non-functional.
The breakthrough comes just days after Voice of River Gee published an in-depth report highlighting the worsening water crisis in Nyenawiliken. The report exposed the daily struggles of residents and the serious public health risks associated with consuming unsafe water, prompting swift humanitarian action.
For years, residents of Nyenawiliken repeatedly appealed to the Government of Liberia, humanitarian organizations, and development partners to rehabilitate the damaged water facilities. Community leaders warned that the prolonged lack of safe drinking water was exposing hundreds of residents, particularly children, pregnant women, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups, to life-threatening waterborne diseases, including cholera, typhoid fever, diarrhea, and dysentery.
The hand pumps were originally installed by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) during its humanitarian operations in the area. However, years of use, wear and tear, and the lack of replacement parts eventually rendered the facilities unusable.
Although a local technician had been trained to maintain the pumps, repair efforts repeatedly failed because essential spare parts were unavailable.
Moved by the community’s plight following the media report, the Kuncares Foundation, headed by Cllr. Kunkunyon Teh, intervened by rehabilitating all of the damaged hand pumps serving Nyenawiliken.
Community sources also disclosed that the Foundation extended the same support to neighboring Kiteabo Tarwrken, allowing hundreds of additional residents to benefit from reliable access to clean and safe drinking water.
The restoration has significantly transformed daily life in the affected communities. Families no longer have to make exhausting trips to River Gbeh or depend on contaminated creek water for survival.
Residents say the project will help reduce waterborne diseases while improving sanitation, hygiene, and the overall health and well-being of the population.
Speaking on behalf of the community, Jerry Cooper, a teacher at Nyenawiliken Public School, expressed deep appreciation to the Kuncares Foundation for responding to the community’s long-standing appeal.
He also praised Voice of River Gee for amplifying the voices of residents and bringing national attention to the challenges confronting the community.
“This intervention has restored hope to our people. For many years we cried for help, and today our voices have finally been heard. Safe drinking water is no longer a dream; it is now a reality. We sincerely thank the Kuncares Foundation for its timely intervention and Voice of River Gee for standing with our community and telling our story,” Cooper said.
While celebrating the successful water project, Cooper emphasized that Nyenawiliken and surrounding communities continue to face several critical development challenges requiring urgent attention.
He appealed to the Government of Liberia, humanitarian organizations, non-governmental organizations, and development partners to prioritize the rehabilitation of the badly deteriorated roads connecting Kiteabo Chiefdom to neighboring towns and villages.
He also called for the construction of a modern health facility within the chiefdom to improve access to essential healthcare services.
According to community members, access to healthcare remains one of their greatest challenges. Residents currently walk approximately one hour and thirty minutes to reach the nearest health facility in River Gbeh Town, a journey they describe as extremely difficult and dangerous during medical emergencies, childbirth, and other life-threatening situations requiring urgent medical attention.
Residents further noted that the poor road network continues to undermine education, agriculture, commerce, transportation, and access to other essential social services, slowing the socio-economic development of the area.
They believe that rehabilitating roads, expanding healthcare services, improving educational infrastructure, and increasing investment in rural development would significantly improve living conditions and promote sustainable economic growth throughout Kiteabo Chiefdom.
Community leaders described the rehabilitation of the hand pumps as a landmark achievement and a powerful example of what can be accomplished when responsible journalism, community advocacy, and humanitarian action come together to address pressing social challenges.
They expressed optimism that the success of the water project will encourage additional support aimed at addressing the community’s remaining development priorities, including road rehabilitation, healthcare delivery, education, agriculture, and other essential public services.
According to the 2022 National Population and Housing Census, Kiteabo Nyenawiliken has a population of more than 400 residents and remains one of the principal communities in Kiteabo Chiefdom, Electoral District #3, River Gee County.
For many families, the restoration of safe drinking water represents far more than the repair of damaged hand pumps. It symbolizes the end of years of suffering, the restoration of dignity, renewed hope for healthier lives, and a brighter future for generations to come.
The successful intervention stands as an example of how responsible journalism, active community participation, and timely humanitarian response can combine to bring lasting and meaningful change to underserved communities across Liberia.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally written and photos produced by Voice of RiverGee, a RiverGee County based media institution.
