Liberia: Learning and Sustainability

In January, an interdisciplinary Salvation Army team from Canada touched down in Monrovia, Liberia, to embark on a Learning and Sustainability Tour. Led by Lt-Colonel Brenda Murray, director of international development, and Lt-Colonel John Murray, territorial secretary for communications, the Canadian team was greeted by Lt-Colonels Luka Shabaya Khayumbi and Rasoa Khayumbi, territorial commander and territorial president of women’s ministries. 

Liberia has benefited from a Salvation Army presence since 1988, when Majors Len and Dorothy Millar, Canadian officers, opened the work. Now encompassing Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, the territory has just celebrated one year since being promoted from a command. After 14 years of civil war, Liberia is still recovering, but the Salvation Army team witnessed a thriving ministry with potential for growth.

On the first day, the team visited territorial headquarters and the training college where 23 cadets are currently in training. Later in the week, they toured The Salvation Army Polytechnic University College in Monrovia, which offers post-secondary degrees in agriculture, business, theology and health sciences. 

During a trip to Flehla Brighter Futures Daycare, a two-hour drive from the capital, the team played games with students aged 3-12. Before leaving, the visitors dropped off sports supplies such as soccer balls and a parachute for physical education classes. Instrumental in this support was retired educator Nancy Tippen and representatives from TrueSense Marketing, U.S.A., including President Steven Bushee, Lynn O’Connell and Kerri O’Neill, who formed part of the delegation.  

On the way to Flehla, the team visited the John Gowans Junior and Senior High School. They also visited the Albert Orsborn Kindergarten School in Kakata, Margibi County. Tragically, the schoolhouse burned down on February 14, 2023. No one was hurt, but the corps quickly moved to accommodate the classes in the sanctuary of the church building and are praying for the funds to rebuild. 

At the William Booth Secondary School in Paynesville, the team met with teachers and representatives of the 750 students who shared their hopes and dreams for education and future careers. Attached to the school is a medical clinic that serves the Paynesville community. Jake Tran, president and CEO of the Toronto Grace Health Centre (TGHC), was part of the Canadian delegation who advised on the territory’s proposed expansion of the program to an in-patient facility.

In follow up, the Canada and Bermuda Territory has prepared a 20-square-foot container, scheduled to depart Canada in late March, with medical supplies and 10 hospital beds, courtesy of the TGHC, as well as gently used Salvation Army uniforms, books and band instruments.

Lastly, the team drove into the countryside to meet with farmers engaged in the SAIL (Sustainable Agriculture in Liberia) project. Up to 50 percent of the farmers are women as part of the Army’s gender equity emphasis. Farming implements and irrigation equipment are in short supply, but there is strong community support. Each group of farmers contributes to a savings and loan plan that assists members during lean periods. The goal of SAIL is to improve food security and increase income in the communities of Cotton Tree and Mount Barclay.

“Meeting the farmers of the SAIL project was inspirational,” says Lt-Colonel Brenda Murray. “A single mother shared how the rise in her crop yield now affords her the means to support her children’s education, heralding a brighter future not only for her family but also for her entire community.”

Zimbabwe: Africa Zone Communications, Public Relations and Fundraising Conference

Members of that same Salvation Army team then travelled across the continent to Harare, Zimbabwe, for the Africa Zone Communications, Public Relations and Fundraising Conference with chief secretaries and territorial public relations secretaries from six African territories. The office of the Africa Zone, based at International Headquarters, was represented by Major Britius Munkombwe, zonal under secretary, and Stanford Muzavazi, community engagement strategist, Africa.

Presentations from Janet Park, chief development officer, Geoff Moulton, director of internal communications, Glenn van Gulik, divisional secretary for public relations, Ontario Division, and Kim Jobe of TrueSense Marketing, were well received. In addition, representatives from Edelman Africa, a global public relations firm, were on hand to discuss the “trust barometer,” which measures public confidence in institutions, such as charities, government, business and the media.

“From the outset, there was a spirit of collegiality, togetherness and a willingness to partner insupport of the mission of The Salvation Army,” notes Lt-Colonel John Murray. “The Africa territories shared presentations on the Army’s work across their respective regions. Out of these presentations, attendees were able to identify consistent themes and values that drove discussion, reflection and learning.”

Comments from the African delegates included:

“Canada has a rich public relations and communication ministry. We learned many strategies to help us be relevant to the public and ensure The Salvation Army brand works for us.”

“Getting to understand what other territories are doing was the most important thing—not only to listen but also to see how they can improve and do better.”

“Diversity was highly respected. I recommend this learning to be shared at other international events. Participants were free to express themselves without fear.”

On the final weekend, the team travelled to Howard Hospital and Howard Secondary School, where they toured the facilities and met with administrators to learn how the Army serves a catchment area of more than 25,000 people with health care and education. Topping off the trip was a visit to Mabelreign Corps in Harare, together with Commissioners Wayne and Deborah Bungay, territorial leaders, Zimbabwe and Botswana Territory, to experience vibrant worship.

In terms of the impact of the conference, Lt-Colonel John Murray concluded, “We believe that with continued partnership, coaching and formal training, the respective territories will improve their community public relations engagement and expand their funding possibilities to support the ministry of The Salvation Army across Africa.”