Bright Star Orphanage was founded in 2014 during Liberia’s devastating Ebola epidemic. Many of the children who arrived at the orphanage had lost their entire families to the disease, leaving them with nowhere else to go. Located in the rural Toudee District, about an hour and a half from Monrovia, the orphanage has become a place of safety, stability, and hope for children who have experienced unimaginable loss.
When Cooperative Aid first visited Bright Star, it was clear that improvements were urgently needed. The building where the children slept was in poor condition, with a leaking roof, damaged walls, and bare concrete floors. Thirty-two children and their beloved caregiver shared the small building, and each child slept on a one-inch foam pad on the floor.
In 2024, Cooperative Aid partnered with Global First Responders to begin transforming the orphanage. A construction team built a new 14-by-14-foot addition, creating much-needed living space for the children. Since then, Cooperative Aid has returned with several volunteer teams to continue the work-installing a new ceiling, painting the interior and exterior, laying vinyl flooring, and making the building a safer and more comfortable home.
Thanks to the generosity of our donators and the effort of our volunteers, we also raised funds to provide bunk beds and mattresses, ensuring that every child has a bed of their own. Below are photos that show just some of the hard work that has gone into making this house a home for the disadvantaged in Liberia.
However, the good work that Cooperative Aid has done in Liberia didn’t end here. After President of Cooperative Aid Michele Wyatt had a meaningful conversation with a Director of APM Terminals Clay Crain, the two organizations partnered to fund a $40,000 upgrade to the orphanage! Read about the changes and the inspiring story here: