LIBERIA: Arthington Gets 1st Public Hand Pumps, Latrine since 1822
By: WASH R&E Network-Liberia – The people of the Township of Arthington now have reasons to rejoice following the construction and subsequent dedication of the first public hand pump and latrine facilities by a USA based Organization, “Higher Ground International” after 190 years.
An Elderly woman of Arthington Township sings and dances for the new source of safe water provided, while Higher Ground International CEO, Madam Henrietta White-Holder fetches water to drink
Arthington is a historic Township in Montserrado County, the Republic of Liberia, established by the first Settlers in 1822 and the home of former President, Charles Taylor. The construction of the facilities followed an assessment by Higher Ground International to the Township which pays host to over fifteen thousand inhabitants.
The much needed facilities were recently constructed in the James Wright Community, Moses Tingay Town and Gomkpon Junction Community in Arthington Township, about 45-mile drive outside the Nation’s Capital, Monrovia.
Group photo with Higher Ground International CEO, Mrs. Henrietta White-Holder(middle) & Team, and some Officials & residents of Arthington Township, Montserrado County-Liberia
The cost of the three hand pumps and one latrine is put at eight thousand United States dollars.
Mrs. Henrietta White-Holder, Chief Executive Officer of the Higher Ground International and Arthington City Mayor, Alfred Hill, among others performed the dedicatory ceremony last Saturday at the Gomkpon Junction Community.
According to a dispatch from the WASH Reporters & Editors Network of Liberia, a six-room toilet in Moses Tingay Town, and a giant hand pump under a shelter in the Gomkpon Junction Community which were dedicated are nearing completion.
The Higher Ground Boss termed the project as her Organization’s own way of helping to provide safe & clean water, improved sanitation and hygiene to the most needy, vulnerable and abandoned people and communities.
She clarified that an American Humanitarian and businessman only identified as Armando and Son based in Rhode Island USA funded WASH project in Gomkpon Junction Community while her Organization shoulders the rest through the assistance of other humanitarians based in the United States of America.
One of the newly constructed hand pumps in Arthington by Higher Ground International
Madam White-Holder said the hand pumps are necessary because the only source of safe drinking water in the entire Arthington Township is a faraway creek where the residents get water to cook, drink, bathe and at the same time wash their clothes.
According to her, the latrine project is important to ensure Open defecation Free (ODF) or further discourage the people from using nearby bushes as toilets due to the lack of home and public latrines in Arthington Township.
The Higher Ground International CEO who promised to further embark on other developmental projects in the Township, urged the citizens of Arthington to support her in helping to restore human dignity and hope for a better Township and Community.
She named other initiatives as Agriculture, Skills Training, and man power development, among others.
She also promised more community service projects, human resources development, and the restoration of economic and social sustainability in Arthington Township.
Arthington City Mayor, Alfred Hill and Council Chairman, Clement Wright welcomed the initiatives being undertaking by the Higher Ground International, describing them as developmental and life-saving
They termed public latrines and hand pumps as strange facilities since the establishment of Arthington Township in 1822.
They confirmed that since 1822 the citizens of Arthington usually get drinking water from the creek and use nearby bushes as toilet, adding that few families who had water-wells and home latrines have since been destroyed during the civil crisis.
The well attended ceremony was also graced by Rev. Augustus B. Manyongai , Country Representative of Higher Ground International, Arthington Development Chairman, Erasmus Bass, Magistrate Orcus Bannah, the Chairlady for the Concerned Women of Arthington, Madam Hawa Moore and Mrs. Elphada Barclay who hosted personnel of the Higher Ground International in Arthington Township.
