-After Seeing Children Sleep on Torn Foam
BUCHANAN, Grand Bassa County — Diaspora humanitarian Comfort Keah Itoka has delivered 20 waterproof single‑size mattresses and 20 sets of bedding to the TADCOD Charity Orphanage in Buchanan, after witnessing children sleeping on torn, exposed foam during her December “Diaspora Return” visit.
Itoka told The Liberian Post she was “haunted” by the images. “My eyes wandered and I noticed a few dilapidated, torn‑up, exposed sponge mattresses placed outside to dry. The manager, Patience Davies, explained these were the mattresses the children slept on. I was shocked,” she said. “I could not get the images out of my mind.”
Back in Monrovia, Itoka called the orphanage to determine the exact need. “They said 20 mattresses,” she recounted. After returning to the United States, she launched a small fundraiser among friends and family, sharing photos and asking for support. “In less than a week, I raised the needed funds for twenty mattresses and beddings—including transportation to Buchanan and delivery crew stipends,” she said, thanking donors who “made this dream come true.”
‘A Big Blessing’
At Saturday’s handover, Ms. Angeline Sayeh— Mrs. Itoka’s Liberia‑based coordinator—said the mattresses are already covered and ready for use. Orphanage manager Patience Davies expressed gratitude: “We are so happy because our mattresses, as you can see, were already torn and worn off. When she came, she decided to give us a big blessing.” The orphanage currently cares for 35 children.
Children voiced their relief in simple, joyful terms. “I feel so excited about the mattresses because it’s been a long time that we have been sleeping on the ground,” said Favor Folleh. “Let God continue to bless her.” Another child, Aaron Weah, added: “It’s been a long time I’ve been laying on the floor. The mattress came today—I feel happy; ain’t you see the way I am smiling?”
Beyond Mattresses: An Appeal for Dorms
While the immediate need has been met, the orphanage says infrastructure remains a pressing challenge. “We want everyone to join Ma Comfort to help the children get a better sleeping place because the house the kids sleep in isn’t good enough,” Manager Davies said. “The boys are supposed to get their own dorm as well as the girls, but because of the condition—no support—so they are sleeping in the same dorm.” She said the orphanage sits on about one acre of land. “These are some of the bricks that I have already molded for the project,” she added, appealing for help to construct separate dormitories.
A Growing Footprint of Diaspora Giving
As The Liberian Post reported in December, Mrs. Itoka spent the Christmas season supporting multiple orphanages across Liberia—part of a widening circle of diaspora volunteers who mobilize small, targeted campaigns for health, dignity, and child protection. This latest intervention at TORCAD was one of four orphanages she visited during December 2025.
“It took a village to respond quickly,” Itoka said of the fundraiser. “I’m grateful to friends and family who allowed me to do something about these awful images that haunted me.”
The orphanage says the new mattresses and beddings will immediately improve the children’s health and dignity—while it seeks additional support to build separate dorms, finish basic renovations, and secure steady food and schooling support.
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