AML Fetes 6,500 Children

YEKEPA, NIMBA CO.: As part of its longstanding commitment to corporate social responsibility and community development, ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML), through its Community Relations Department, brought smiles, educational support, and festive celebrations to more than 6,500 children

AML fetes 6,500 children across 20 host and railway corridor communities during Liberia's 179th Independence Day celebrations in Nimba County.

The annual initiative reflects AML's belief that meaningful community partnerships extend beyond infrastructure and employment. By investing in the well-being of children, the company continues to strengthen relationships with families living in its operational areas while promoting education, safety awareness, and social inclusion.

This year's celebration focused on children under the age of ten in communities across Nimba, Bong, and Grand Bassa counties. Thousands of children received gift packages containing school supplies, snacks, and footwear, ensuring they could celebrate Liberia's Independence Day while also receiving materials that support their education.

In Nimba County, the outreach reached mining communities including Gbapa, Makinto, and Liagbala, as well as railway corridor communities such as Wheyeepa and Nyokopa. Similar celebrations were organized in communities along the railway in Bong and Grand Bassa counties, reaffirming AML's commitment to ensuring that development benefits are shared throughout its operational corridor.
In Grand Bassa County, more than 412 children from Big Fanti Town and Sugarcane Farm in Buchanan participated in the celebrations. Beyond receiving gift packages, children took part in interactive safety quizzes, with several winning special prizes for correctly answering questions on road safety and responsible community behavior.

The festivities also extended to Bassa Community, Juah Town, Korduah, Moore Town, and Joe Quarter, while additional celebrations were scheduled for Tinway Town, Dirt Hole, and Fair Ground. Many of the events featured dancing competitions, games, and other recreational activities designed to create memorable experiences for children and their families.

Speaking during one of the celebrations, AML Community Relations Superintendent for Nimba County, Harrison Waydon, said the initiative demonstrates the company's holistic approach to community development.

"ArcelorMittal Liberia implements numerous programs that directly benefit adults through employment, skills development, educational opportunities, healthcare support, and community projects. However, children represent the future of our communities. They deserve to experience joy, encouragement, and opportunities that inspire them to dream. This annual celebration is one way of showing that AML values every member of our host communities, regardless of age."

Waydon noted that the Independence Day outreach complements the Community Relations Department's year-round engagement with local leaders, youth groups, women's organizations, schools, and community-based institutions to promote dialogue, resolve concerns, and identify development priorities.

Echoing those sentiments, Community Relations Superintendent for Bong and Grand Bassa Counties, Wroquah Samuels-Kamara, said the department remains committed to maintaining strong relationships with families living along the railway corridor.

"Building trust with our host communities requires consistent engagement. Celebrating national occasions with children not only strengthens relationships between AML and community members but also reinforces important values such as safety, unity, and mutual respect. Our Community Relations team works every day to ensure that our communities remain active partners in AML's journey."

A key feature of the celebrations was the integration of AML's Golden Safety Rules, particularly those related to road safety. Through games and interactive discussions, children learned practical safety habits, including respecting traffic rules, understanding pedestrian and vehicle separation, recognizing the dangers of blind spots around large vehicles, always wearing seat belts, ensuring proper visibility before driving, and checking parking brakes before leaving a vehicle.

By introducing these lessons in a fun and engaging environment, AML aims to help nurture a strong culture of safety within host communities from an early age.

Community leaders praised the initiative as another example of AML's sustained investment in local development.

Liagbala Town Chief Okara Gono commended the company for maintaining close engagement with community members and implementing programs that improve livelihoods. He highlighted AML's Biodiversity Project, which supports vegetable farming, and the company's provision of a transport tricycle that enables local farmers to transport produce to Yekepa markets more efficiently.

Chief Gono also expressed appreciation for AML's decision to include host communities in the country's Independence Day celebrations, describing the initiative as a reflection of the company's continued respect for its community partners.

He reaffirmed Liagbala's commitment to working collaboratively with AML through dialogue to address shared priorities and support sustainable development.

Over the years, AML's Community Relations Department has played a central role in building enduring partnerships between the company and its host communities. Through continuous consultation, community development initiatives, educational support, livelihood programs, infrastructure investments, and social outreach activities such as the annual Independence Day celebration, the department continues to foster mutual trust and shared progress.

As thousands of children returned home carrying both educational supplies and happy memories, the celebrations once again demonstrated that community development is not measured only by physical infrastructure or economic investment, but also by creating opportunities that uplift families, inspire young people, and strengthen the social fabric of Liberia's host communities.