Jerko Town (Block B #3)

Dear Lifewater & Sponsor, We the members of the Jerko Town Community extend to you our heartfelt thanks and appreciation for your contribution to the well-being of our children, mothers and fathers. This Hand Pump you have given our community, is restoring our life from the hands of disease. Again we say a big thank you and may God richly bless the entire Lifewater Family and it's Sponsors. Thank you very much! Sincerely yours, Yeadem Brown, Chairlady

Jerko Town (Block B #3) (population 725) is located along the Buchanan Highway leading into Buchanan City. Madam Rebecca Garpue, who is the assistant chairlady, said in a statement how this town received the name "Jerko Town". Madam Rebecca said, "this area way back was a very deep and dark forest. People were very fearful because of the huge population of monkeys in the area at the time. These monkeys would on many occasions chase the farmers, and they would have to run from their farms to escape from being attacked. People passing through this dense forest during the hot sun and late evening would have their belongings taken from the monkeys and sometimes get hurt". As the people started to move into this area, the monkey population decreased as they moved deeper into the forest. The lack of safe drinking water has been a major challenge for the community, their only source of water was from open hand dug wells sometimes serving 1000+homes. On many occasions young children would travel long distances to other communities to fetch water, only to be denied access. Now it is with great celebration for the people to have a newly constructed well located in their own town, providing safe clean water for their families. This well was drilled as part of a cooperative NGO initiative to provide safe drinking water to all Liberian's. Thanks to ''The Last Well Inc.'' for their coordination and support!