Gbarnga, Bong County — Administrators of the Rainbow Orphanage and the Mount Zion Rescue Mission in Bong County say the two institutions have been consistently overlooked, despite funds reportedly allocated in the national budget for orphan care.
Madam Feeta Naimeh and the Rev. Samuel Paye, heads of the respective facilities, told The Liberian Investigator that while they regularly hear about budgetary allotments for orphanages in the county, they have not received any support.
“We are tired of talking to the media about this issue,” they said. “We have done several follow-ups with the county administration and our lawmakers, but to no avail. We are aware of these funds, but we haven’t received anything.”
They disclosed that the last time their orphanages received any government subsidy was during the administration of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
The pair expressed frustration over what they described as the continued exclusion of the Rainbow Orphanage and Mount Zion Rescue Mission from national budget allocations.
The Liberian Investigator’s research shows that although US$2,000 was earmarked for “Bong County Orphanage Homes” in a past budget year, no funds were disbursed. In the 2024 budget, US$4,272 was approved under the same line item, but only US$2,000 was reportedly disbursed. In the approved 2025 national budget, US$3,105 has been allotted for Bong County Orphanage Homes.
It remains unclear which orphanage received the US$2,000 reported disbursement in 2024, as both Rainbow and Mount Zion orphanages have denied receiving any government funding in recent years.
Madam Naimeh accused both the former administration and the current Unity Party-led government of neglecting orphaned children. She called on President Joseph Boakai to prioritize support for orphanages in Bong County.
At the Rainbow Orphanage, over 50 children — many of whom are total orphans — are facing severe starvation amid an acute food shortage.
Christian Aid, a foreign charity organization that previously supplied food and essential items to the orphanage, ceased its support nearly five years ago. Since then, the institution has relied largely on sporadic donations from private individuals — support that administrators say has dwindled significantly.
The orphanage currently lacks food, bedding, clothing and other essentials. Many of the children wear tattered clothing or go barefoot.
In an emotional interview, Madam Naimeh, the orphanage’s aging proprietor, said she can no longer adequately care for the children due to her deteriorating health.
“I am old, and my health condition is very poor,” she said.
Now in her 80s, Naimeh walks with the help of a cane. She and the children survive on cassava and other bush food grown in a small backyard garden she planted years ago.
She fears the children could become malnourished if they continue without more nutritious food.
Amid the growing crisis, classroom teachers at the orphanage have threatened legal action against Naimeh over three months of unpaid salaries.
“The teachers said they would carry me to court,” she said, “but others intervened and asked them to give me more time.”
A similar situation is unfolding at the Mount Zion Rescue Mission, where Administrator Rev. Paye also criticized the government for what he called its failure to assist the facility.
He said the rescue mission is grappling with severe food shortages and lacks essential supplies, including education materials.
Both Rev. Paye and Madam Naimeh are appealing to NGOs, philanthropists, and the Bong County administration to urgently intervene and help keep the orphanages operational.
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