In a stirring display of international solidarity and grassroots compassion, the KOICA Alumni Association of Liberia (KAAL) electrified Bong County over the weekend with a humanitarian outreach that blended diplomacy, cultural pride, and urgent relief.
Led by KAAL President Allison K. Telee, alongside President Emeritus Frederick B. Krah and dedicated members including Amadu Kpahn and Madison Kegbeh, the association stormed Totota Central Town and Belantanda Town with a gift that spoke louder than words: 35 bags of 25kg rice, delivered straight into the hands of vulnerable households.
The gesture, though modest in scale, carried monumental symbolism. It was not just food—it was a reaffirmation of the enduring friendship between Liberia and South Korea, a bond nurtured through decades of academic exchange, technical training, and people-to-people diplomacy.
“As alumni of South Korean programs, we consider it both a privilege and a responsibility to share the knowledge and experiences we acquired abroad, while also standing in solidarity with our communities, especially in times of need,” declared Telee, his words resonating with pride and urgency. “This donation symbolizes the strong bond between our two countries and reflects the continued impact of Korea’s support to Liberia through its people.”
But KAAL’s mission is far from complete. Telee revealed ambitious plans to extend similar humanitarian interventions to institutions across Liberia in the coming weeks—including Jenneh Health Center, Monrovia Central Prison, the School for the Deaf, orphanages, Beh Town Public School, and Bogbeh Public School. These initiatives will coincide with the twin celebrations of Liberia’s Independence Day (July 26) and Korea’s Independence Day (August 15), transforming national pride into tangible community up-liftment.
Member Madison Kegbeh urged residents to embrace the donation with gratitude, stressing that even small acts of kindness can ripple into profound change. “We acknowledge that what we have brought may not be sufficient to meet all needs, but we are confident that it will make a difference,” he said. “It is our hope that this gesture brings some relief and demonstrates our genuine concern for the well-being of our people.”
Meanwhile, President Emeritus Frederick B. Krah used the occasion to ignite a call for cultural pride and unity. He reminded Liberians that beyond external aid, the strength of the nation lies in its heritage, diversity, and collective resilience.
KAAL, composed of Liberian professionals who have benefited from KOICA scholarships and training programs, continues to stand as a beacon of knowledge-sharing, cultural exchange, and national development. Its outreach efforts are more than charity—they are diplomacy in action, weaving threads of cooperation between Monrovia and Seoul while uplifting communities at home.
As Bong County residents carried home their bags of rice, the message was clear: this was not just food, but a feast of friendship, a symbol of hope, and a promise that Liberia’s future will be nourished by both its own people and its allies abroad.
