The Trapani's in Liberia

The first groups of 85 farmers graduated their three day training class that taught them how to farm more effectively and how to market their crops. Even though many Liberians have been farmers for generations, they don't know how to farm well. We contracted with a group from a local university agricultural department to teach them. The 85 were divided into two training sessions and we have two more to go in the next couple weeks  Each participant received a bag of fertilizer, a watering can, a hoe, seeds, pesticide, and a pesticide sprayer. The hope is they use their new knowledge and their new tools to raise an effective crop. They then sell the crop and use some of the proceeds to buy more supplies. We'll be able to see how effective this project was in about four months. The last few mornings have been cool in the low to mid 70s. We went for a walk on the beach. This is about 1/2 mile from our house. The pig was alive. We had a senior missionary get together dinner at the m...

Zapia school has been completed. We had the official finishing ceremony. Lots of top school officials. The Bishop of the local ward  and community Leaders were in attendance. This is the ribbon cutting for one of the remodeled buildings.  This was a good project. We worked closely with the school officials and were able to make the changes and modifications they felt were most needed. Besides almost doubling the classroom capacity we added electricity and fans. They now have lots more working bathrooms also.  These are some of the local church members that attended standing below our sign that documents the work. We were able to double the student capacity for the school. Many children in the community get no education because they cannot afford private schools and these public schools are at capacity. Not only will about 700 more students be able to attend but because of the electricity and new lights they've added night classes where adults can go and get a basic educat...

We work in the part of the humanitarian program that provides help to those who are not members of the church. We have a counterpart here in Liberia that works on programs for members of the church. This was one of his programs that we participated in. It is a mother and child nutrition program. Mothers with children ranging from six months to 5 years came to the church and met with government health workers who evaluated their child's growth and development for malnutrition. They then received specific counseling from other health professionals according to the needs of their children. Our job was to first assemble gift bags that contained educational material and a large bag of nutritional supplement for the child.  For the remaining eight hours we distributed the gift bags to the mothers who received the counseling. We were so fortunate to be working in a room that had air conditioning. We distributed about 150 bags that day. Even though the program was advertised and focused on...

23 people inside and 5 on the top. The air conditioner probably hasn't worked for the last 15 years. All of the county border crossings have checkpoints like this. They stop the taxis a lot. We never get stopped unless they want a Bible or a Book of Mormon or something to read. This is the senior primary. They meet outside on the patio area close to the street. Today I played primary songs on a speaker from my cell phone. It's probably the first time they ever had music to sing to. They liked it. School was in session at Zapia School where we are doing a big remodel project. Most of the teachers have sticks. They use them. I'm not sure if the students learn very much in school but they have good behavior.  We added two fans in every classroom. It was a good idea. Whoever designed this school made it with windows only on one side. There is no cross ventilation. When the room gets full of students it is hot hot. The new bathroom we built at the school has four toilets. Worker...