Although the Ebola virus has claimed over 7,000 deaths across Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea in Western Africa in the worst-ever outbreak, Liberian children whose parents are among the devastating statistic were given an opportunity to celebrate Christmas on Thursday. Australian aid worker, Carly Learson, joined an initiative of local non-governmental organisation (NGO), Department of Children and Families (DCF), to host 14 parties around the virus-stricken area of Montserrado.
Ms Learson, a media officer from Sydney, was under the guidance of DCF founder, Victor Faiyah, who was profoundly affected by the numerous orphaned children in the hardest-hit part of Liberia prior to Christmas. Mr Faiyah explained to ABC News:
"The children who have lost their parents are suffering from grief, and for many it's a struggle to survive on their own. We didn't want these children to spend Christmas thinking about what they've gone through. It should be a happy day."
The founder also praised the United Nations (UN) and NGOs who donated to the cause. In preparation for the Christmas period, UN employees from across the world—including New York and Turkey—joined NGO team members and the public in a show of generosity so that the 14 parties could be staged.
Two parties occurred on Wednesday, while the remaining 12 were held on Christmas Day, and the funds ensured that the children received a special lunch of rice, chicken, popcorn, juice and biscuits. The guests also received small toys and entertainment that included a visit from Liberian actor Frank Artus. A wish from one of the children who now looks after his sister was: "I hope that after Christmas we can go back to school."
A Lancet study from 2009 was published earlier in the week, showing the promise of a vaccine that was trialled with both Ugandan and American subjects. Presently, several trials of different vaccines are still underway.