Project Hope teamed up with the U.S. Navy's Africa Partnership Station (APS) and the Marine Corps to deliver medical supplies, humanitarian and postal equipment, and much needed medical and technical assistance to the people of Liberia. These donations culminated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at the Redemption Medical Clinic on March 26, 2008.



The ceremony, which marked the beginning of a partnership between the APS and the people of Libera, was attended by Liberia's President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Liberian Deputy Minister of Defense Othello Daniel Warrick, Liberian Minster of Health Walter Gwenigale, and U.S. Ambassador Donald E. Booth, among other key civilian and military officials.



"I am delighted to be here today to celebrate U.S. support to Liberia through APS," Nooth, the U.S. ambassador to Liberia, said. "While the principal mission of APS is to enhance maritime safety and security, it is also a new and important vehicle for the delivery of a considerable amount of humanitarian and technical assistance to the countries of West and Central Africa. ... The supplies donated this week will go a long way in helping the people of Liberia."



Through APS and Project Hope, several humanitarian assistance projects were initiated in Monrovia and surrounding areas. Deliveries of medical equipment, school supplies and furniture totaling approximately $58,000 were made to Redemption Clinic, Logan Town Clinic, Arthur Askie School and JFK Hospital, Monrovia's major medical facility. Project Hope announced that it will set up a permanent office in Liberia to continue providing support to the people of Liberia.



"APS brings a vessel that brings hope, building upon Project Hope; a vessel that brings service, a vessel that brings people, who also join our people, in sacrificial service to those who need that service most," President Johnson-Sirleaf said. "We want to extend to APS our hand of friendship and gratitude for what you have done in coming to join us and responding to the needs of our people."



Project Hope (Health Opportunities for People Everywhere), a nongovernmental organization established in 1958, is dedicated to making health care available for people around the globe, educating health professionals and volunteers, providing medicines and supplies, strengthening health facilities, training community health workers, and fighting communicable diseases such as TB and AIDS.



Part of the U.S. Navy's Global Fleet Station, APS provides a platform with the capacity and persistent presence to support sustained, focused training and collaboration on a regional scale to maritime partners in West and Central Africa.