It is with great sadness that we received news today that one of our agriculturalists died in his sleep last night. Barwin Zayzay went out during the day, returned home feeling fine, went to bed and did not wake up. 
He was such an asset to our program and worked primarily with the deaf schools and deaf communities in teaching them good agricultural practices to help sustain themselves and support their families and communities.

He will be greatly missed and we know that his spirit will remain with us each day. Rest in peace ZZ.

It won't be long before Timothy and I will be returning to Liberia for a visit. During the time we have been in Indiana, we have received funds from Benson Chapel UMC for 3 bicycles plus raingear and vests for our ag workers, Ridge UMC has given funds for 2 more ag workers plus bicycles and raingear for them. This will increase our staff to 5 ag workers which will enable us to do much more at the Ag. Center spot. By doing so we will be able to increase the number of workshops that are given and the number of people coming to the ag center to observe our work. Kokomo Early Riser Rotary has arranged for a grant to dig a clean water well (sealed) and also for irrigation wells around the ag center. This will enable us to do a more efficient work with irrigation during the dry season.
Ruth at Shiloh UMC in Kokomo gave over 75 pairs of flip flops (slippers) that were given to the Deaf School where we are doing agriculture training. They were so appreciative to be able to have something to cover their feet. A Shiloh Sunday School class donated Bibles to the Dorcas Women - a girls youth program in our community to teach teenage girls to be women with Biblical principles.
Many other groups gave funds to support our home and workers with additional food during the Ebola Crisis when food was in short supply and high in cost. We are grateful that none of our family or workers were stricken with the virus. Many thanks to those of you who helped with this effort to keep them healthy.
We are now working to the future with efforts to increase the activity at the ag center and among the communities. We have several Liberia University agriculture students working on plots as a practical experience with their studies.
We have two more deaf communities we are helping to develop an agricultural program with fish ponds and fruitful planting.
We praise God in all our efforts as we strive to enable the Liberian people to become self sufficient to feed, clothe and educate their families. This is only possible through your efforts.
Peace and joy, Anne

We praise God in all our efforts as we strive to enable the Liberian people to become self sufficient to feed, clothe and educate their families. This is only possible through your efforts.
Peace and joy, Anne

Greetings Friends,
I realize I have failed to bring many of your all up to date on what is happening in the life of Liberia Self Reliance Initiative.
Timothy and I returned to Indiana for grandson's high school graduation. We have done some traveling and speaking and preparing to return to Liberia Aug. 4th.
However, as many of your may know there has been an Ebola outbreak and we are not able to return at this time. We talk daily to our children and LSRI family to learn how they are doing through all of this.
Most of our children and grandchildren are at our house or nearby where they can be safe. Two others and 4 grands were caught in the West Point incident and have been in a locked down state for about 2 weeks now. So far, they too are safe.
Incidents have been occuring all around us, even with our workers, but Praise God, all are well. Donations have been given to send money for food and sanitation kits for our house and each of our workers. This has been a big help to them because either people are hoarding food and/or the prices have gone very high. 
We will be moving to an apartment in Kokomo this week rather than depending on friends and family for a place to sleep/eat/live. We will be more centrally located to accept speaking engagements/pulpit supply and small group meetings for people who are interested in the plight of the Liberian people and what LSRI is doing in Liberia.
Please continue to keep Liberia, our family/friends/workers in your prayers.
We praise the Lord that all are safe at this time and pray for continued protection for all.
Peace and joy, C Anne Girton Kumeh

Coming to Indiana

Dear Friends,
It has been quite a long time since I have sent you any information.
We are fine and planning to return to Indiana on Thursday, June 5th for Riley's graduation.

We are so looking forward to seeing lots of friends, getting medical check-ups and telling you all about our work here in Liberia.  It is really getting to be exciting as crops look better, yields are better, and people are really interested in what we are doing.

Housing and all has been taken care of.
However, we are in need of a vehicle to use for approximately two months while we are in Indiana.
We will service it and fill your gas tank.
Alan has already obtained insurance for me to use on any car I would drive.
If you have something available I would be able to use, please let us know.
It doesn't have to be anything fancy, just some transportation.

Peace and joy,
Anne and Timothy

It never fails that when you list people and groups to say thank you, some are always missed by pure accident.  My apologies to the following and special blessings to them for their gifts.

 

 

Barbara Kinsler

Bringhurst United Methodist Church

 



Overview of our program

LSRI

 

Liberia Self Reliance Initiative

 

 

A not for profit agricultural program to educate, train and mobilize the farmers

in Liberia to become self-sufficient.

 

 

The LSRI program is an outgrowth of the West Africa mission program of the

Edenton Street United Methodist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The interest in Liberia began when Rev. Melville Cox, a pastor from the Edenton Street

church became the first missionary to Liberia.  The program has continued under the direction

of Jim Perry and has always sought avenues to help Liberians to help themselves.

In the past several years the interest has moved into the agriculture programs to aid the

farmers in supplying for their own families and communities.

 The Liberian people have relied totally on the food handouts to feed their families. 

Once the food was used, and the programs ended, there were no resources

in place to maintain the nutritional level.

 In an effect to combat hunger and poverty, the focus is to do more for the

 Liberian people through their own efforts. 

This year we are in the process of moving from an agricultural extension

 program to a central experimental training center near the capital city

of Monrovia.

.

We have learned of new products and farming techniques that are available at no charge to the farmers. 

 

 

AREAS OF INTEREST

 

·        Moringa for building immunity

Moringa is a tree that can be easily grown in the tropical climate of Liberia.

       

It provides all the nutrition necessary to combat malnutrition in children and build the immune system of adults. It contains: 

7 times the Vitamin C found in oranges

4 times the Vitamin A found in carrots

3 times the iron found in greens

4 times the calcium found in milk

3       times the potassium found in Bananas

 

·        Artemisia for combating malaria. Artemisia is a leafy tree that is new to Liberia through our program.

·          A tea made from the leaves will help cure malaria and treatment of other diseases

 

 

·        Amaranth for building immunity

Amaranth is another leafy bush that will enable adults and children to be healthier.

 It has been in Liberia for several years.

 

·        Growing vertical crops in old tires

We have been experimenting with vertical gardening in old tires that have

been cut and fitted with plastic to enable them to be moved from place to place.

 Many women in the villages are single mothers and would like to be able

 to grow vegetables near their homes to help provide for their children.

 We have begun planting of beans, cucumbers, peppers and some types of squash in this manner.

 

·        Intercropping

In an effort for our farmers to better utilize their small acreage (2-5) acres, we are working on methods

 of intercropping to  produce a higher yield of multiple products.

 These include corn, squash, pepper, peanuts, beans, cucumbers, and pumpkin.  So far our results have been good.

 

·        Composting

We have been experimenting with different types of composting for the Liberian climate. 

These include pit, slab and container composting. 

The time needed to compost is much less due to the hot and humid climate.

  We have found that the soil at the Ag Center has been completely depleted.

 We have found this much less costly than fertilizer.

 

·        Hygienic processing

Our moringa products and honey production now take place in our new “clean room” at the Agriculture Center

 

In the future the Ag Center will house our office, library,

 and conference room, bunk room for overnight stays, storage and sales space.

 

·       Our experimental crops are sold to local markets, groceries, and individuals.

                                   This money will be used to support our Ag Center and we plan to be mostly self sufficient within five to six years. 

 

 

In addition:

Because of their knowledge and methods, our agriculturalists are already providing training

for the leadership of other farming groups in Liberia.

 

Future planning

 

Honey extraction through a centrifuge process

Day seminars for farmers in areas of composting, rice, fish, and other areas of farming.

Week long training at the Ag Center for farmers.

 We will provide housing and meals while at the Center and then follow-up at their villages

 as they train their fellow farmers in the practices.

 

 STAFF



 

Rev. C. Anne Kumeh, Project Director

Rev. Benjamin Bengura, Agriculturalist

Barwinski Zayzay, Agriculturalist

Alsyed Browne, Farm Manager

Joseph, Prince, and Musa -Agricultural Aides

Timothy Kumeh, Production and Marketing

Jeff Kumeh, Driver and Mechanic 

 I has been approved as a not-for-profit corporation and is being registered as such in the country of Liberia.

 

Tax deductable contributions may be made payable to:

LSRI

C/o Jim Perry

1729 Berwickshire Circle

Raleigh, NC 27615-3704

 

For more information contact:

Rev. C. Anne Girton Kumeh

annekumeh@gmail.com

 

 

 

LSRI, INC

 Liberia Self Reliance Initiative

A not for profit agricultural program to educate, train and mobilize the farmers in Liberia to become self-sufficient.

 

Monrovia, Liberia

 

 

LIBERIA SELF RELIANCE INITIATIVE

The LSRI program is an outgrowth of the West Africa mission program of the Edenton Street United Methodist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The interest in Liberia began when Rev. Melville Cox, a pastor from the Edenton Street church became the first missionary to Liberia.  The program has continued under the direction of Jim Perry and has always sought avenues to help Liberians to help themselves.

In the past several years the interest has moved into the agriculture programs to aid the farmers in supplying for their own families and communities.  The Liberian people have relied totally on the food handouts to feed their families.  Once the food was used, and the programs ended, there were no resources in place to maintain the nutritional level.  In an effect to combat hunger and poverty, the focus is to do more for the Liberian people through their own efforts. 

This year we are in the process of moving from an agricultural extension program to a central experimental training center near the capital city of Monrovia.

.

We have learned of new products and farming techniques that are available at no charge to the farmers. 

 

 

 

 

As we progress in our farming techniques, endless possibilities of produce production, and other adventures, I will be posting from time to time to keep you all informed.

 

At the beginning, I would like to thank the numerous individuals and organizations who have donated funds and materials to our program with the thought in mind that we are not for profit and doing our best for the farmers in Liberia.

 

Edenton St. United Methodist Church

Ambia United Methodist Church

West Point United Methodist Church

Broadway United Methodist Church

Hammond First United Methodist Church

Reynolds United Methodist Church

Benson Chapel United Methodist Church, Covington, Indiana

Ridge United Methodist Church, Munster, Indiana

Niles, MI Kiwanis Club

Howard County Farm Bureau

Dick and Joan Elias

Pauline Luthi

Hammilton Gardens and Nursery, West Point, Indiana