I was able to visit an off-ship ministry of Mercy Ship's one day. In a village called "Tenegar" Mercy Ships is building a medical clinic. This is one project that the Liberia's President, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, requested help from Mercy Ships.
Liberia's civil war had practically destroyed it's infrastructure and left the country in ruins. Now it's estimated that there is one doctor for every 32,000 people. There is no community health programs and no access to even basic first aid. In a place where the leading causes of death (Malaria, Cholera, diarrhea, and childbirth/pregnancy complications) are due to lack of water sanitation, education, and resources, this health clinic gives new hope to the people of that community.
Mercy Ships is also doing an agriculture project here. Liberia has great soil for crops and holds great potential. The main crop here is plantains and cassava (a type of root) but they could get more yield from the land and plant a variety of vegetables. That's what the people of Mercy Ships are teaching. The team comes everyday to farm and teaches the locals by example. All of the workings of a successful plantation.
They have also built a well in this area. A well is important for clean water and preventing water-born illness.
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