In a powerful display of humanitarian leadership, Indian philanthropist and businessman Upjit Singh Sachdeva, popularly known as Jeety, has commissioned the drilling of a deep borehole well at the Monrovia Central Prison, commonly referred to as South Beach, to address the facility’s worsening water crisis.
The project was launched on Jeety’s birthday as he celebrated his 59th birthday not with luxury, but with an act of compassion toward Liberia’s incarcerated population. The initiative follows a visit to the facility just days earlier, where he was informed about the prison’s desperate water situation.
“I was here last Sunday, and the Prisoner’s Supervisor, Roosevelt Varney, made a request that the water table has gone low,” Jeety told reporters. “The deep bore well they had — it has spoiled. There is no way to get water.”
Moved by the plight of the inmates, Jeety wasted no time in mobilizing resources to contract a professional drilling company to begin work immediately. During his birthday visit, the drilling team was already on-site and ready to commence operations.
“We have come here again. We brought a hot-cooked meal with beans, chicken, rice, soft drinks, and water,” Jeety explained. “We contracted a deep bore well company — they are already here. The well might go 100 feet, 150, or even 200 feet — whatever depth is needed to find good water. Because water is life.”
The borehole will be fitted with a submersible pump and connected to a running water system throughout the prison’s barracks—an infrastructure Jeety had originally funded two years ago but which had fallen into disrepair due to the breakdown of the previous well.
During a ceremony held at the prison, Mr. Jeety expressed his commitment to improving the living conditions of the inmates, and said, “Every individual deserves access to necessities, including clean water.”
“So, on this special day, I want to give back to God almighty for his continuous blessing upon my life. As such, I am grateful to celebrate another birthday and ensure that these individuals have the resources they need to live with dignity,” he noted.
Jeety added, “Water is a basic human right, and regardless of inmates’ circumstances, every individual deserves access to clean water. As such, this is just my small way of supporting and uplifting the vulnerable segments of Liberian society.”
Currently, Monrovia Central Prison houses 1,549 inmates, up from 1,534 just a few days earlier—making access to water not only a basic need but a growing public health concern.
“Even though the inmates’ freedom is restricted, they should be able to get a nourished meal and clean drinking water. That’s a human right. I sincerely believe that” Jeety emphasized. “So, we’re here again, doing what we believe in.”
In addition to launching the borehole project, Jeety also provided a full hot meal to all inmates and staff, as part of his ongoing efforts to support Liberia’s correctional institutions.
“I know today is a very big day for me, so I am celebrating this day with the inmates,” he said. “From here, I plan to go to Kakata High Prison and then end up in Weala at Jetty Rubber and Salala Rubber companies.”
In response, the Monrovia Central Prison Superintendent, Roosevelt Varney welcomed Jeety’s efforts, thus highlighting the positive impact that such initiatives can have on the rehabilitation of inmates.
Superintendent Varney further expressed his gratitude, on behalf of the Justice Minister and his Deputies, for Jeety’s continuous support towards addressing the government’s efforts to better the lives of the citizenry.
“Access to clean water and proper nutrition is essential for the health and well-being of our inmates. So, we are grateful for Mr. Jeety’s generosity and commitment to making a difference in the lives of those in our care.
“Again, Jeety has been a pillar of support for us. His contributions have significantly improved the welfare of our inmates, and we are immensely thankful for his unwavering commitment and support as always,” he added.
Meanwhile, Jeety’s philanthropic endeavors are not new; he has a history of supporting various charitable causes in Liberia, as his commitment to humanity has earned him respect and admiration in both business and humanitarian circles.
This latest initiative at the Monrovia Central Prison is a testament to his belief in giving back to society and making a tangible difference in the lives of those less fortunate since launching his hot-cooked meal initiative in 2017.
As the drilling project gets underway, the hope is that it will serve as a model for similar initiatives across other prison facilities, addressing the critical issue of water scarcity in correctional facilities and beyond.
In a world where access to clean water remains a challenge for many, Jeety’s initiative at South Beach stands as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that one person’s commitment can lead to meaningful change in the lives of many.
