On the night of March 16th, 2024, a severe storm struck our hometown of Garmu, Panta District in Bong County, Liberia. Fortunately, no lives were lost; however, over eighty homes were damaged or destroyed in what was one of the worst tragedies to hit the village in recent years.
Garmu is a beautiful and historic town situated underneath Mount Gharn. Having a population of over 5,000 people and rich with abundant natural resources, it is a town ripe for opportunity. As an organization, we have always cherished the people of Garmu, as many of them are our own through family and employment. Now, with the many families’ homes destroyed, we are compelled to share their stories and their plan to rebuild Garmu.
This is Kollie, he has a wife and 9 children living in his 2 bedroom house. On the night of the storm, he lost the roof and front wall of his house, leaving his children’s bedroom exposed to weather.
This family also lost the roof of their house, causing flooding in their living space.
This is our Garmu Church of Christ, our cornerstone house of worship and community gathering place, now without a roof. Since the storm, families have offered up their own homes to host Sunday services until repairs can be made.
A crowd gathers outside around a fire to keep warm after the storm.
A woman sitting in front of her house is consoled by Quanuquanei Karmue after it was destroyed in the storm.
A girl stands at the community well with her family’s house in the background, now without a roof.
A house in disrepair after the storm, with a mattress on the roof to stop any more rain from entering.
The families of Garmu thank you for your contribution to rebuilding their homes and providing a roof over their head in a time of desperate need.