13/04/2026
On April 13, 2026, residents of Moibayah Town in Grand Cape Mount County gathered in a spirit of pride and reflection as a joint field visit was conducted under the REALISE Project. The visit brought together members of the Project Management Team headed by Mr. Jesse Bnagu along with distinguished representatives from the French, Swedish, and Irish Embassies near Monrovia. Also present on the mission was the Executive Director of the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LACE), Mr. Julius K. Sele.
The occasion provided an opportunity for beneficiaries to share firsthand accounts of how the REALISE Project has transformed their livelihoods. Individuals including Maya Gray, Abraham Kromah, Imah Lamine Massalay, Korlu Kromah, Hawa Kamara, and Mustapha Bangura—who also serves on the Community Oversight Committee expressed deep appreciation for the initiative. They highlighted how the support received enabled them to establish and expand small businesses, ranging from animal sales and dish vending to provision shops. These ventures have significantly improved their household incomes and overall well-being.
Beyond individual success stories, the project has also contributed to community-wide development. Through a grant of US$1,800 provided by the REALISE Project, the people of Moibayah Town successfully constructed a town hall, which now stands as a symbol of collective progress. Additionally, a Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) has been established, growing from the initial 28 beneficiaries to a vibrant group of 51 members, fostering a culture of saving and financial inclusion.
In terms of scope, the REALISE Project has achieved remarkable outreach. It has been implemented in three phases: Round One covering 15 communities, Round Two reached 27 communities, and Round Three extended to 20 communities—bringing the total to 62 communities impacted by the project. Altogether, 2,046 beneficiaries have participated in the program with each receiving US$450 to support their economic activities.
Speaking during the program, LACE Executive Director Mr. Julius K. Sele congratulated the donor representatives, including the French Ambassador to Liberia, H.E. Isabelle Le Guelles, accompanied by Mr. Eliot Sotty, Human Capital Project Officer; the Swedish Ambassador, H.E. Karl Backéus; the Irish Ambassador to Liberia, H.E. Gerald Considine; and other partners including Mr. Kiatamba Superintendent of Grand Cape Cape Mount County.
Mr. Sele used the occasion to reflect on the broader significance of the initiative, noting that while social protection programs like REALISE may be gradually phasing out in Liberia, their positive impact on ordinary citizens must not be forgotten. Drawing from his experience working with international partners, he emphasized the importance of sustainability and local resource mobilization. He suggested that community assets such as the newly constructed town hall should be strategically utilized through rental for events—to generate additional income for the community. According to him, while farming activities supported by the project are expected to yield financial returns, the town hall presents an equally valuable opportunity for supplementary income generation.
The field visit concluded with renewed optimism, as both beneficiaries and stakeholders acknowledged the tangible progress made and the importance of sustaining these gains for future generations