By By: Contributing Writer;
Kpayeakolleh Town, Gbarpolu County โ On Sunday, April 13, 2025, a long-awaited dream became reality for the women of Kpayeakolleh as the Life Development Relief Organization (LIDRO) donated a cassava processing machine to the local women’s farming group.
The new equipment, which processes cassava into gari and other products, marks a major breakthrough for the community. Itโs expected to ease the intense manual labor typically involved in cassava preparation and increase both productivity and income opportunities for the women.
Usual Packaging of Cassava from the beginning of the production field
At the handover ceremony, LIDROโs CEO, Madam Rebecca Bestman Harris, reiterated the groupโs commitment to empowering women in rural areas through sustainable, practical initiatives.
โWe recognize the daily struggles of our mothers and sisters,โ Harris said. โThis isnโt just a machine, itโs a symbol of empowerment.โ
The event drew an emotional response from the town’s women, many of whom dressed in traditional attire and sang songs of celebration. Community leaders like Yatta Morris and Ma Tawah Kollie expressed gratitude, noting the difference between this tangible support and past unfulfilled promises.
The machine, which includes grating, pressing, and drying components, is expected to expand the communityโs ability to produce and sell cassava-based products. In return, the womenโs group pledged to maintain and manage the equipment responsibly, ensuring it benefits every household.
โThis gift belongs to all of us,โ said resident Mary Juah. โWeโll make sure it serves the whole town.โ
This donation is part of LIDROโs broader effort to support underserved communities in Liberia with tools and resources that address their daily challenges. The organization plans to expand similar initiatives to other remote agricultural areas in the country.
Local officials praised the effort and called for more collaborations like this one, noting its potential to inspire similar development projects across Gbarpolu County.
