Monrovia — Konda Mason, President and Co- Founding father of Jubilee Justice, a U.S.-based nonprofit group headquartered in Louisiana, has described her current go to to Liberia as “life-changing,” praising the nation’s rice manufacturing efforts led by the Group of Hope Agriculture Undertaking (CHAP) as a serious step towards nationwide meals safety.
Talking following a sequence of subject visits, Mason stated she was deeply impressed by the dimensions, innovation, and impression of CHAP’s work, significantly its partnership with native communities and the Liberian Navy to broaden home rice manufacturing.
“I solely had two and a half days and puzzled what may actually be achieved in such a short while,” Mason stated. “However what I noticed exceeded each expectation. The magnitude of what CHAP is doing for Liberia is extraordinary and really a sport changer for the nation and its navy.”
Mason famous that whereas she was beforehand accustomed to Liberian rice by way of pictures and conversations, seeing the operations firsthand revealed the complete impression of the initiative. She highlighted CHAP’s strategy of leveraging obtainable land and labor, fairly than monetary dependency, as a daring and profitable experiment now yielding tangible outcomes.
As a part of her go to, Mason travelled to Bong County, the place she toured one among CHAP’s challenge websites and interacted instantly with farmers in a rural village. She described the expertise as eye-opening.
“I used to be struck by the delight of the folks and the great thing about the rice fields,” she stated. “This small village is making an enormous contribution to feeding the nation. The onerous work, resilience, and dedication of the farmers—particularly the ladies—was inspiring.”
Mason participated in rice harvesting alongside native ladies and noticed conventional processing strategies, together with pounding and palm oil manufacturing. She stated the expertise reshaped her understanding of labor, neighborhood, and perseverance.
“This taught me a strong lesson about actual work and collaboration,” she added. “It opened my coronary heart and my thoughts.”
Throughout her go to, Mason additionally toured CHAP’s rice milling facility, describing it as fashionable, environment friendly, and well-organized. She praised the team-based strategy on the mill, noting that each one workers are skilled throughout a number of operations, guaranteeing sustainability and continuity.
“You have got the complete worth chain right here—from planting to milling to packaging,” Mason stated. “That positions CHAP to make a long-lasting impression on Liberia, the place rice is central to every day life.”
Mason confirmed that Jubilee Justice has already supplied a minimal grant of US$50,000 to help CHAP’s I like Liberian Rice operations and stated her dedication extends past a one-time donation. She revealed plans to mobilize extra companions in the US to deal with CHAP’s speedy wants.
“That quantity just isn’t vital within the U.S., however right here it could possibly change every thing,” she stated. “I’m dedicated to creating certain these wants are met and to persevering with this partnership.”
Trying forward, Mason stated she plans to return to Liberia to evaluate the expanded rice challenge on land allotted by the navy and to witness the long-term impression of the preliminary funding.
Past infrastructure and funding, Mason emphasised the deeper values underpinning her engagement with Liberia.
“On the core of this work is spirit—the spirit of affection, religion, collaboration, and interconnectedness,” she stated. “When one neighborhood is lifted, we’re all lifted. The spirit of giving, not hoarding, is what creates actual change.”
Mason stated Liberia and its folks have left an indelible mark on her life.
“You have got touched my coronary heart in a profound method,” she concluded. “This connection is everlasting. I shall be again—many times.”
