Foundation Completes Key Community Needs Assessment In C/Mount
Grand Cape Mount County – A critical three-day needs assessment expedition in Grand Cape Mount County has been concluded by the Burphy Cares Foundation, marking the beginning of a new phase in community-driven development for one of Liberia’s historically underprivileged areas.
The Foundation traveled around Sinje, Robertsport, Madina, and other towns as part of the assessment, which was overseen by a group of program officials and community engagement experts. It concentrated on recognizing pressing opportunities and needs in important areas, including health, education, youth empowerment, and sustainable livelihoods.
The team engaged in open discussions with local leaders, health professionals, educators, women’s organizations, and youth during the tour, gathering information that will guide the Foundation’s 2026 intervention strategy.
The trip was more than just gathering statistics. According to Richlue O. Burphy, Executive Director of the Foundation and Deputy Director General for Lotto Games at the National Lottery Authority (NLA), it was about developing trust, listening attentively, and learning deeply.
The visit, according to Burphy, is an essential step in making sure that the Foundation’s programs are influenced by the very individuals they are intended to assist. “We are deeply committed to making sure our work reflects the voices, challenges, and strengths of each community,” he added.
Noting that genuine development can only occur through partnership, he commended the Grand Cape Mount County Superintendent’s Office, traditional authorities, and civil society partners for their cordial welcome and cooperative spirit.
The assessment’s first results identified a number of urgent issues. Among these are the difficulties some maternity clinics face in providing pregnant women and new mothers with basic supplies like wholesome meals, disinfectants, and bedding, as well as the limited access to maternal and child healthcare in distant places.
The team observed run-down school facilities and classrooms without enough teaching aids or whiteboards. Youth unemployment and the lack of opportunities for vocational training have also been noted as important problems that continue to limit the potential and progress of the county’s youth population.
Despite the difficulties, the assessment also showed a lot of potential for local development. A number of women expressed interest in small business ventures and agricultural cooperatives, indicating a growing desire for economic empowerment and independence.
According to Burphy, these results will direct the Foundation’s development strategy until 2026, which intends to introduce long-lasting, scalable, community-anchored initiatives. Stakeholder validation workshops to guarantee community ownership, resource mobilization outreach to strategic partners, and the launch of pilot programs to evaluate suggested treatments are among the immediate actions.
“The people of Cape Mount have shown remarkable resilience and vision,” Burphy noted. “Our goal is to work with them, not for them, to create a stronger, more sustainable future.”
He urged institutions, development partners, and well-meaning Liberians to work with the Foundation to assist the county’s path toward inclusive growth and solve its pressing needs.
Reported by: Prince Saah
