The Global Outreach Ministry of Liberia, led by Rev. Canon Dr. James T. Yarsiah and his wife have donated essential supplies to the Group of 77, reaffirming their commitment to supporting persons with disabilities in Liberia.
The donation, which includes specialized clothing for wheelchair users, food supplies such as pinto beans and oil, and other essential items, is part of the ministry’s long-standing humanitarian mission.
Speaking during the donation ceremony on Wednesday, March 12, Dr. Yarsiah emphasized that the initiative—launched in 2006—is motivated by faith and a deep sense of responsibility to those in need.
“Our mission is to reach out to those who are struggling, and today, we are pleased to provide these supplies to the Group of 77,” he said. “We believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ, who called on us to care for the blind, the disabled, and the less fortunate.”
Dr. Yarsiah, a Liberian-born clergy member residing in the United States, highlighted the importance of giving back to his home country. Through the support of his church—St. James and St. Michael Episcopal Parishes in the Diocese of New Jersey—and in collaboration with James Memorial Church in Ewing Town, the ministry shipped a 40-foot container filled with vital supplies.
The shipment, valued at approximately $20,000, included church materials, schoolbooks, educational supplies, and medical equipment. Shipping costs amounted to $6,221, with an additional $1,966 spent on clearance and transportation within Liberia. This marks the tenth container sent to Liberia since the ministry’s founding.
“I don’t focus on the financial aspect,” Yarsiah said. “For me, it’s about ensuring that people have what they need to improve their lives.”
While acknowledging the logistical challenges limiting the distribution to Monrovia, Dr. Yarsiah expressed his desire to expand future outreach to other regions of Liberia.
“If I return, my next target will be beyond Monrovia,” he asserted. “We must also consider people in other regions, not just in the capital.”
For Dr. Yarsiah, the work of the Global Outreach Ministry is more than a charitable act—it is a spiritual calling rooted in the Great Commission.
“I am from Liberia, and I must think about Liberia,” he declared. “If I cannot give back to my own country—especially after the hardships people have faced—then what else can I do?”
Canon Yarsiah emphasized that the Global Outreach Ministry serves as a means of giving back to both the church and the country.
He views the initiative as an expression of Christ’s love and an act of obedience to the Great Commission as recorded in Matthew 28:19-20: “Go ye into all the world and make disciples…”
Reymond K. Zarbay, Chief Administrator of the Group of 77, expressed profound appreciation for the donation, which he described as timely and life changing.
“On behalf of the administration and the entire Group of 77, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your generosity,” Zarbay stated. “Your continued support is a testament to your dedication to improving the lives of persons with disabilities.”
Zarbay highlighted the Group of 77’s ongoing efforts to compile a comprehensive database to better advocate for persons with disabilities. He also noted their partnerships with the National Commission on Disability (NCD) and the National Union of Organizations of the Disabled (NUOD) to enhance advocacy and support systems.
“We are engaging with partners, including the Chinese community, CRS, and other philanthropic groups, to create more opportunities for persons with disabilities,” Zarbay added.
Meanwhile, the latest shipment included a diverse range of essential items such as wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, bedside toilets, clergy vestments, choir robes, used Prayer Books and Hymnals, pianos, and educational resources. Beneficiaries of the donation include the Episcopal Church of Liberia, Episcopal and non-Episcopal churches and schools, residents of a leper colony near Cuttington University, and charitable organizations such as Solution Prayer Ministry and Help and Care Ministry – WEZZ Charity Foundation.
This latest shipment underscores the ministry’s ongoing commitment to supporting communities in Liberia by providing essential resources and fostering goodwill.
