By Moses M. Tokpah
editor@news.throngtalk.com
0777130958 / 0886476114
The Association of Bong Miners (A.B.M.) has embarked on a significant renovation project at Bong Mines Hospital, aiming to enhance the facility’s environment and services for the local community.
Speaking to our reporter in Bong Mines, Bong County recently, the President of ABM Emmanuel S. Tarpeh said the initiative, which includes a full repainting of the hospital, reflects the association’s commitment to giving back to the community from which many of its members originate.
Tarpeh emphasized the importance of the hospital to the community, noting that many members were born at the facility and that it remains the only operational hospital in the area.
“Currently we are painting the entire hospital. If you look up there, the painting work has started already, and we hope that in three weeks the contractors will complete their work and turn over the facility,” Tarpeh stated.
Tarpeh intoned that this facelift is part of a broader effort by the association to improve healthcare infrastructure and services in Bong Mines.
Beyond the painting, he said ABM has made other substantial contributions to the hospital notably, the installation of a 36-kilowatt solar power system to provide 24-hour electricity, ensuring that hospital equipment remains operational without reliance on fuel purchases.
Tarpeh believes this sustainable energy solution is a game-changer for the hospital’s capacity to deliver uninterrupted medical care and will eradicate the request for patient’s family to pay money for fuel purchasing before being catered for.
He mentioned that the painting project costs nearly US$20,000 while the electrification of the facility costs about US$80,000 amounting to approximately US$100,000.
In addition to power improvements, and the painting project, Tarpeh disclosed that the association has donated hospital beds and essential medical materials over time to support the hospital’s operations.
He added that fundings for these different initiatives are made available through dues and contributions from ABM members both in Liberia and the diaspora.
Looking ahead, ABM is also planning to enhance community life by constructing a children’s playground.
Tarpeh narrated that a groundbreaking ceremony for this project took place in 2024, with construction expected to begin later this year. He reflected on the importance of such recreational spaces, recalling the playgrounds where local children once played after school, and expressed hope that the new playground will provide much-needed extracurricular activities for today’s youth.
He concluded by urging the residents of Bong Mines to take good care of the improvements, including the freshly painted hospital and the solar power system, so that these investments continue to benefit the community for years to come.
The ABM’s ongoing efforts highlight a strong example of community-driven development and the power of diaspora engagement in improving local healthcare and quality of life in Bong Mines.
The Association of Bong Miners is a charitable non-profit organization established by former residents of the town of Bong Mines, in Bong County Liberia.
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