SOME RECENT ACTIVITIES
Monthly Newsletter
The Raphaelyn Foundation has launched its first monthly newsletter
To stay up-to-date with many of the new things that are happening within the Foundation and its communities, you can get the newsletter from the link below.
See the latest information about -
+ recent radio interview of members of the team
+ developing Champion-Volunteers at the Foundation
+ development of a TRF Brochure to spread the word about the Foundation
+ TRF spotlight on Cham. Musu a selfless volunteer at the Foundation
+ consultation about public debt and corruption.
Watch out for future newsletters about happenings with TRF and its communities. You may wish to use the Contact Us page to let us know that you'd like your name to be add to our mailing list so that we send you the monthly newsletter as soon as it's published.
Now click on the link below to read the content in the January newsletter.
GET THE JANUARY 2022 NEWSLETTER
LIBERIAN GIRLS ROCK
6th Annual Celebrations
The 6th Annual Celebration for Liberian Girls Rock was held on 30 December 2021. The LGR organisation honours individuals and groups who are thought to be making a difference in the lives of people in Liberia.
The Raphaelyn Foundation Inc (Liberia) was honoured for its fabulous work through nomination of its Foundation and Executive Director, Raphaelyn C N Bomosy to receive an Award. Nevertheless, it honours all volunteers, sponsors and donors of the Foundation without whom its work would not be possible. Many thanks to everyone who supports the Foundation in any way.
The Award was presented to a full house and congratulations were offered by The Vice-President of Liberia Jewel Taylor.
Family, friends and volunteers of the Foundation were at the event to help celebrate receipt of the Award and the work of the Foundation. Raphaelyn spoke to the assembled people and thanked the LGR organisation for its Award in recognition.
Some photos from the evening are shown below.
WE STILL PUT SMILES ON FACES
Thank you everyone
We expected Christmas to be more subdued this year. But thanks to our volunteers and supporters we came through and put smiles on the faces of many children.
Rather than trying to describe everything that happened, we thought that we'd show you some pictures as Santa went around the communities (see galleries below). Both Santa and volunteers handed out presents to the children two days before Christmas as this little girls indicates the time on her fingers.
It was a time of rejoicing for many and a time to plan ahead, which The Raphaelyn Foundation Inc (Liberia) is doing at present.
Vaccines against COVID-19
Vaccines have proven to be the best defence against COVID-19. However, many people in Africa have not taken up even the limited opportunities available to get the jab. See what you can do to protect yourself, your family and communities against the effects of this pandemic. When it becomes endemic in all communities people will still need to be cautious, but they will be less fearful of it since it will have become a routing illness.
Happy New Year
May we wish everyone all the very best for 2022. It is our hope for you that the year will bring great joy and peace to you and to those you love in family or beyond.
CELEBRATE THE END OF ANOTHER CHALLENGING YEAR
Farmland Deed
There was much rejoicing and a few tears of joy recently for members of The Raphaelyn Foundation. As the Executive Director, I received the Land Deed for the 33.9 acres of farmland purchased earlier this year.
Many thanks are offered to Mr. Kerkulah M. Tokpa the Bomi County Coordinator for his help with this matter. Likewise thanks are due to all the Foundation's volunteers and fund-raisers for their efforts in our journey so far. These wonderful people are too numerous to name everyone here, but you know who you are and we thank you!
Although it has taken awhile for registration of our farmland purchase to be finalised, the truly hard work to build self-sustainable communities is now about to begin.
Sensible clearing of the land to plant and nurture food crops will be a priority. In an era when climate change is a dominant discussion, we need to ensure that we build up the land sustainably so that land degradation does not occur.
No harsh chemicals for fertilisation or pest control. Organic materials cycled back into the land for the fruitful production of crops for human consumption in communities.
Our new farm and future farms can become carbon sinks to offset the effects of greenhouse gas emissions that are damaging the whole planet. We can make a difference! We can contribute to the wellbeing of the whole planet and its peoples!
To achieve these goals however, we will need to enhance our fund-raising during 2022 and would appreciate you visiting our Shop page and donating whatever you are able to give. If you are unable to give money, we will appreciate you letting others know about our Foundation's Charter, including building self-sustainable communities. Your prayers for our fund-raising efforts are also greatly welcomed.
2021 Retrospective
It's been a mighty tough year all around of many people on our planet. Lots of words have been said by many people lots of promises have been made. But there has been much heartache for individuals and families.
The COVID-19 crisis has left no part of this planet untouched for the last couple of years. It's likely to give more heartache in 2022 with new strains of the virus developing. It's providing enormous challenges to human ingenuity but it's clearly going to be another virus prevalent in our communities worldwide for years to come.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all families that have been touched by this crisis because we are all in it together and need to support one another in these times.
We need also to be aware that COVID-19 is not the only health challenge here in Liberia. The mosquito borne disease of malaria is still rampant, as well as, the water borne typhoid illness. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
2021 Christmas celebrations
Christmas celebrations are likely to be somewhat muted this year.
This of course is sad for us in not seeing the joy of gift-giving on the faces of little children. However, it's a time for reflection about the meaning of Christmas and the need to elevate it above the material world of physical gifts.
We will do what we can this year for the children. But we need to reflect about the gift that we are still alive, unlike many whose lives have been lost to illness and wars. It's a time for us to reflect about the positive gifts we've received and what difference we can make in this world. Everyone of us can make a difference to someone!
2021 Make a difference
Speaking about making a difference, please be aware/reminded of the Make A Difference awards being held on 30 December 2021 by Liberian Girls Rock.
All the details are shown below in our earlier articles headed "MONTH OF RECOGNITION FOR THE FOUNDATION" and "CONGRATULATIONS FROM THE CHAIR."
Many thanks for continued support from our volunteers and donors. From our family to yours, we offer warm greetings and Christmas good wishes from the Chair, all of our monthly volunteers and me.
Raphaelyn
Raphaelyn C N Bomosy
Executive Director
The Raphaelyn Foundation Inc (Liberia)
CONGRATULATIONS FROM THE CHAIR
It's been busy since TRF was formed
The work of all volunteers in The Raphaelyn Foundation Inc (Liberia) cannot be underestimated. Without each of these magnificant young people, the Foundation would cease to exist. Much of what is done however could not occur without the financial support of generous donors from around the world.
Much more remains to be done that's contained in the Foundation's Charter and more donors and volunteers will be needed over the years ahead.
Recognition from The Gees.lib
Early in September 2021, The Gees.lib focussed on Raphaelyn Bomosy and put her in the spotlight as the driving force behind the work of the Foundation.
Although shown graphically above, their full spotlight can be seen on Facebook at -
https://www.facebook.com/117241258922651/posts/894124407900995/ . If you are on Facebook, please share this story to others to promote the Foundation. The story has been shared also on other social media platforms such as Instragram where the Foundation runs posts using the handle @theraphaelynfoundationinc.
Although focussed on the Executive Director of the Foundation, Raphaelyn knows full well that the focus and congratulations needs to spread across all the generous volunteers and donors of the Foundation. We both thank each of you.
Recognition from Liberian Girls Rock
From Minnesota in the United State of America, the Foundation was notified that Raphaelyn has been nominated for a M.A.D (Making A Difference) award. The notice about this nomination is shown in the graphics above this section.
An award ceremony was held in the Ministerial Complex Auditorium Tubman Blvd, Monrovia Liberia. Red Carpet time: 6PM -9PM. Honoring Awards Gala Starts at 9:30PM -11:30PM on December 30th 2021. This will be the 6th Annual M.A.D (MAKING A DIFFERENCES) AWARDS GALA HONORING RECIPIENTS CONDUCTED BY LIBERIAN GIRLS ROCK. You can explore more about this group at www.liberiangirlsrock.com.
Tickets are available for purchase. We'll let you know more when we have received the details from the organizers about future events. Tickets are expected to be posted at Regular ticket US$20.00, Standard ticket US$50.00, VIP ticket US$100.00 and VVIP US$150.00. The Foundation members will look forward to seeing you there.
Many congratulations to Raphaelyn once again for receiving this Award. Once again the radiance of this Award flows onto all the volunteers and donors working in, with and for The Raphaelyn Foundation Inc (Liberia).
Closing remarks for December 2022
Heartiest congraluations are offered to Raphaelyn for receiving various nominations and awards on behalf of the Foundation. This includes Spotlight attention from The Gees.lib and for her nomination by the Liberian Girls Rock group.
I'm very proud of Raphaelyn and all the wonderful young people who are the soul and spirit and the hard workers of the Foundation. Without each of you and generous donors the work of the Foundation could not proceed. The light that is being shone on Raphaelyn is being shone on each and everyone of you.
I am honoured and very proud to be the Chair of The Raphaelyn Foundation Inc (Liberia) and want to congratulate everyone wholeheartedly for everything that you do very generously to help the Foundation fulfil its long-term Charter of building self-sustainable communities in Liberia.
Please donate to this worthy cause using links on this Foundation website. Please remember moneys are being funnelled back though my accounts so that I can pay the bank fees and not have the Foundation being charged US$30 for every deposit into its Liberian bank account.
The Foundation would also welcome proposals from individuals or businesses experienced in fund-raising that are interested in fund-raising for this Foundation. Proposals in writing should be sent to execdir@trf-inc.org or chair@trf-inc.org.
Take care … stay safe (by masking up and getting vaccinated) … best wishes …
Neville
Neville Garnham PCLL = Passionately Curious Lifetime Learner
CEO & MD Today4Tomorrow Group Pty Ltd
Chair – The Raphaelyn Foundation Inc (Liberia) … https://trf-inc.org
E: director@theproductivityphilosopher.com or chair@trf-inc.org
MALARIA IS STILL A HEALTH RISK
It's prevention can be a risk also
Despite it's long-term goals, The Raphaelyn Foundation Inc (Liberia) cannot stand aside when we see human hurt within our communities.
Recently, a house across the street from the Foundation was razed to the ground by fire. What has this to do with malaria, you ask? Malaria is spread by mosquitoes. At night nets are often used over beds to protect against mosquito bits. Night or day famalies often use burning coil to ward off mosquito attacks.
For this family, a tenant in their house lit a mosquito coil and forgot about it. The burning coil set fire to other items around it and the whole house burned down. This family lost their home and all their possessions. The parents are currently seeking refuge in a nearby church, while the children are staying with relatives. It also caused some damage to the adjoining neighbour's property.
Our Foundation was the first organization to offer assistance providing rice and other foodstuffs to feed their family, personal cleaning products, and money for the family to buy other much needed supplies.
Will you help us to look after this family's immediate needs and provide support to rebuild their home? We hope you'll donate to assist our work in supporting families within our communities in Liberia. If you are unable to donate, please alert others to the devastation faced by this family and the work we do to help bring healthcare and put a smile to the faces of others here in Liberia.
Below are some photos of the devastation this family is facing at the moment. Please help us to help them more as soon as possible and put smiles on their faces.
Raphaelyn
Raphaelyn Bomosy
Executive Director
HELPING TO FIGHT COVID-19
Masks, cleaning and light
When we first drafted our Charter in early 2019 we never envisaged a world like it is today. The pandemic has slowed some aspects of our aspirations, but we are a resilient people. We are here to LOVE + CARE + EDUCATE our community members from the youngest to the oldest.
Often the groups struggling the most for assistance are the children in our orphanages and the people helping them. We have been able to source masks to assist containment of breath from person to person to reduce transmission risks. As well some cleaning products have been distributed to help clean away the germs where they land on surfaces. A wonderful donation from a friend of the Foundation has allowed us also to distribute some more solar powered lights so that students can continue to study at night.
The Chair of the Foundation and I would like to thank all of our fantastic volunteers for their mighty efforts with distribution of these products. We all look forward to the day when with personal care and vaccines this pandemic will be defeated. It will likely be a different world then than what is was a couple of years ago. However, we hope and pray that we will share a more compassionate and caring world among us all.
We hope you'll visit our Facebook page and donate to assist our work in communities in Liberia. If you are unable to donate, please alert others to the work we do to bring health and a smile to the faces of others here in Liberia.
Without more words, we thought we'd show you some photos below of the work of our wonderful volunteers and the children served with some of the administrators of the orphanages as we went around and discussed mask wearing with them.
Raphaelyn
Raphaelyn Bomosy
Executive Director
OUR AGRIBUSINESS JOURNEY CONTINUES
Liberian Ministry of Agriculture Grant
While COVID-19 buried some of our plans for 2020, it didn't stop us from distributing food still or bringing joy to children or learning much more about agriculture. That learning brought us to submitting in June a request for an agribusiness grant.
We were most grateful in January 2020 to receive an email from agricultural specialists in the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in Australia. This pointed us to books and other literature about agriculture and farming. So we set off early in the year looking for farmland with agricultural specialists in Liberia. Then COVID-19 got in the way. That written and geography-based learning taught us quite a lot about what we knew, what we didn't know and considerations for moving forward.
Despite COVID-19 we were keen and ready to lodge an application in June for a grant from the Liberian Ministry of Agriculture under the auspices of the World Bank.
The assessment of the grants program commenced in November 2020 with their initial investigation to ensure that we were a legitimate NGO charity in Liberia.
It has been with great excitement that we were invited to an award ceremony on Saturday 23 January 2021. The Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Jeanine Milly Cooper, with staff from the Ministry in attendance, announced the recipients under the program. There were 49 formal businesses awarded a grant and a further 63 small businesses that received a grant.
The Raphaelyn Foundation Inc was among the formal business recipients and the grant was and is received with great gratitude to the Ministry and the World Bank. Some photos from Saturday's event are in the carousel below.
It is important to note that the mission of our Agriculture Ministry includes "Vision 2: 'To support the whole value chain of agro allied industries and support the development from seeds to plates'". This aligns perfectly with The Raphaelyn Foundation Inc values, intent and plans to help feed children, the elderly, the sick, and anyone without adequate food supplies to sustain them. Many thanks go to the Minister and the Ministry of Agriculture for seeing our alignment with the Ministry's vision.
We still have a long way to go to raise sufficient funds to progress our journey to buy land and establish our first farm. We are very grateful to donors who have helped us thus far. If you can continue to support us even simply by raising awareness of our journey and fund-raising efforts, we would be most grateful.
If you would like more information about the World Bank which was set up in 1944 at the Bretton Woods Conference. you'll find it at https://www.worldbank.org/. The bank's purpose is to help economic development and thereby achieve its mission "to end extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity in a sustainable way." The World Bank was co-founded by John Maynard Keynes the acknowledged father of modern economics.
If you'd like more information about the wonderful work of the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, you'll find it at https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/.
The grants awards ceremony is available through the Liberian Ministry of Agriculture facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Kmtvlib/videos/122889059686251/.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones, all in deep gratitude.
Raphaelyn
Raphaelyn Bomosy
Executive Director