VANCO OUR HISTORY

VAN Community Outreach (VANCO) is a dream come true. For quite some time, it has been on my mind to assist the underserved in whatever way I can in Liberia, West Africa. This assistance includes making a difference in the lives of the children, youth, and elderly. I chose this target group because they are the most vulnerable demographic in Liberia.

In February 2020, I headed a two-person team to launch the first phase of the VANCO initiative in Grand Kru County, Liberia. We are proud to have launched in Grand Kru County because it is an area that has been underserved for so long. Our initial approach was to target four areas in the County: Barclayville, Betu, Grandcess and Sasstown. The significance of this choice is based on the historical fact that Sasstown was the Capital City of the former Sasstown Territory, while Grandcess was the Capital City of the former Kru Coast Territory. The two Territories were combined into the new Grand Kru County in 1985 by an act of Legislature, declaring Barclayville as the new County Seat. The fourth town, Betu, is my ancestral home and is outside of the City of Sasstown.

I am a descendant of Grand Kru County. I also attended two of the schools we visited on this trip in Sasstown: St. Paul Elementary School (3rd grade through 7th Grade), and Sasstown Junior High School (8th Grade).

My father, the Late Hon. John Wilmot Nimene, was appointed Superintendent (Administrator) of Sasstown Territory which is now one of the Districts in Grand Kru County. My dad made his younger children reside with him during his assignment in Sasstown. He could have left us to continue our education in Liberia’s Capital City, Monrovia, but he told us that the reason we were accompanying him was to learn our tradition, culture, and the Kru language. My dad hailed from Betu, a 45-minute walk, or about 15-minutes car drive from Sasstown. Because of the close proximity, I was fortunate to spend my summer vacations with my cousins in Betu.

I have had the experience of attending school in a church with no electricity or partitions dividing the classes in Sasstown. Residing in Sasstown was a very rewarding experience. It was where I learned the ABC’s and how to count in Kru, which has allowed me to speak the language to this day.

During our launch, the children were able to see and interact with someone who also lived and attended school in Grand Kru. I see myself in each of the children we serve. I want to do everything I can in order to provide the educational supplies, equipment, and resources needed to help these children excel in the 21st Century.

Kindly join me to make a difference in the lives of these children, youth, and elderly in Liberia. YOUR DONATION will help us meet their needs.

Thanks for your contribution and time!

OUR MISSION

VAN Community Outreach provides community outreach services in Liberia to the underserved children, youth, and elderly. We provide educational and health care supplies, toiletries, and other social services to benefit the elderly and empower the youth in underprivileged communities.

In order to fulfill our mission, we plan to meet the following objectives:

•  Aid in the socio-economic development by providing opportunities for the children and youth of Liberia to enable each child to excel;

•  Help to provide some basic needs to the elderly: nutrition, hygiene, and healthcare;

•  Undertake programs that will foster and promote youth empowerment and peace-building initiatives necessary for an inclusive environment that will galvanize the youth for development programs;

•  Promote a culture of respect for the rule of law, respect for women & young girls, and undertake training for the youth aimed at stopping violence against women.

•  Advocate for the empowerment of young girls through education, training, better health practices, and engagement in any activities to benefit these young girls;

•  Improve, strengthen, and solidify positive social interactions amongst the youths throughout Liberia through programs for computer education, home economics, and sports;

•  Hold consultative dialogue with the youth throughout Liberia. This will encourage their participation and support in identifying useful projects, setting goals, and taking responsibility for programs aimed at strengthening their capacity to mobilize resources and funding to improve their communities.