The children here have made us smile so much. They literally break into big toothy grins every time they see us, some waving frantically, others shyly, delighted when we return the wave.
We know many of them do not have a lot to smile about, but if there were any doubt no one could be clearer than the Country Representative for the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
“Ebola affects every facet of a child’s life in this country,” says Sheldon Yett.
During the crisis, schools closed for nearly a year. Most have now reopened, but not all children attended school even prior to the epidemic. UNICEF defines an orphan as a child who has lost one or both of his or her parents. The organization estimates there are roughly 5000 children in this position in Liberia as a direct result of Ebola.
Today we followed UNICEF as they visited a family that lost 11 members. A brother and uncle now taking care of six children – his sister, and nieces and nephews – after their parents died. Some of them are survivors themselves and still suffer with health problems. One child spent three days alone with her parents’ dead bodies. Part of UNICEF’s mission is to keep children out of orphanages by reuniting them with family members.
Yett says prior to the outbreak, the lives of children in this country had been improving. “Liberia had the fastest rate of improvement in under five mortality on the African continent, a tremendous, tremendous gain,” he says. “But of course then the largest public health crisis the world has ever seen hit this country and those numbers have started to reverse.”
UNICEF’s project in Liberia is valued at $130 million. (They couldn’t immediately provide a number as to how much of that is focussed on Ebola relief.) The organization provided 150 USD for each child in the family we visited, and all of the children are now in school. One child, a 14-year-old, tells me she loves school because it gives her new ideas. A social worker still visits to help the children cope. I know their situation is impossibly difficult but I also know they’re fortunate to have their uncle and the support of international aid.
As we say goodbye, I can’t help but think, “What about all of the families in the same situation that haven’t been identified to receive this kind of assistance?”
