Each Child Counts Foundation was founded in 1998 in response to the suffering of children in civil war-ravaged Liberia, West Africa. We remain deeply committed to the welfare of these children whose growth has been stunted by war and disease and, to providing service opportunities to children and others who want to help.
Although we have sponsored many projects over the years, our focus for the last decade has been on the children of Clay Ashland in Montserrado County, Liberia.
The literacy rate is below 50% in the area. With the amazing support of our school builder community, in 2018, we opened the Rev. James A. Webster wing of the Rev. Dr. Claude E. Wilson Academy. We currently provide free education, meals, school supplies and uniforms to 163 Pre-K through 8th grade students. We have begun construction and plan to complete the high school wing by 2025.
In 1998, in Oakland, California, three couples were approached by a Liberian missionary who requested support with the feeding of children who were starving as a result of the 20 years of civil war in the small nation of Liberia, West Africa. She told them that on some days, as many as 100 children gathered in front of her gate to beg for food. Hearing this, the couples agreed to help. And… they told the story to many others who heeded the call to feed and clothe these children. In 2001, these efforts were formalized when the group was granted official 501c3 status by the American government.
For the first few years, the team focused on providing food and funding scholarships to various orphanages and private institutions in Liberia. Additionally, they were able to send two 40-foot containers to Liberia, which included a full industrial kitchen for the University of Liberia and enough meals, clothing, and supplies to provide for hundreds of children.
In 2005, Reverend Claude E. Wilson and Missionary Teddie McKery were instrumental in the organization-securing the spiritual and financial support required to obtain their official NGO status, create a full marketing program, and develop a business plan for the future. Volunteers from all walks of life, including professionals, students, congregations, missionary groups, Pastors, and humanitarians, bonded together to ensure that the children had some of what they needed. Shortly thereafter, the then-chairman of the board, Dr. Eric Neufville, donated four acres of land to become home to the school that he requested be named for his beloved friend and pastor, Rev. Dr. Claude E. Wilson.
The donation included the caveat that we build a school that would provide access to free education for children in the area. Each Child Counts has been fortunate to have the love, prayers, and support of many School Builders across the U.S. and in Liberia. The congregations of Havenscourt Community Church in Oakland, California, and Oak Ridge First Baptist Church in Oak Ridge, North Carolina, have consistently led the way in supporting us by allowing the use of their facilities for fundraisers, endorsing our annual 5K walks, and through the individual and collective contributions of various members.
Each Child Counts Foundation believes in the valued creation of each child and that it is both a joy and an honor to fulfill the calling of God to care for those who cannot care for themselves.
We live by the creed that we must give all that we have so that others may have all that they need. In February of 2018, the prayers and dreams took wings, and the school opened grades K-3, accommodating 76 students. Phase One, The Dr. James A. Webster Elementary school, welcomed children in grades K-4. This momentous event was celebrated with 18 missionaries who traveled to Liberia for the occasion. Now, we are working on building high school classrooms and providing necessary supplies to all students.
We could not do this without school builders like you.
We aspire to be like hlpers. So we serve all people. No matter their religion, ethnicity, or gender.
Going after poverty’s symptoms is temporary. Going after its causes is permanent for everyone.
In an effort to ensure volunteering at Foundation events is fulfilling experience for you.
All checks should be payable to Each Child Counts Foundation 2205-K Oak Ridge Road #207 Oak Ridge, NC 27310
