MONROVIA, Liberia — Diaspora humanitarian Comfort Keah Itoka has brought renewed hope and relief to some of Liberia’s most vulnerable children, following a multi-county humanitarian outreach that saw her distribute essential supplies to orphanages in Montserrado, Margibi, and Grand Bassa counties during the 2025 Christmas season.
Mrs. Itoka, who returned to Liberia as part of the Annual Diaspora Return initiative, said her visit home was guided by a personal commitment to serve marginalized children, particularly those living in orphanages. “I don’t just want to show up with things people don’t need,” she explained. “I reach out ahead of time and ask them what they truly need so that what we give has real value.”
Her humanitarian tour began on December 23, 2025, at St. Bakhita Catholic Children Facility in Virginia, Montserrado County, a mission-run home caring for between 40 and 50 children, some as young as two months old. Welcomed by Head Nun Sabrina Kern and other missionaries, Mrs. Itoka donated bags of rice, Clorox, Rexoguard, scented floor cleaners, laundry detergent, milk, toiletries, and Christmas gift bags. The visit was marked by emotional scenes as children sang songs of appreciation and embraced their visitor. “When they hug you and say thank you, it moves you deeply,” Mrs. Itoka said.
On December 24, she continued her outreach to Phebe Grey Orphanage, a Church of God Mission institution in Schiefflin Township, Lower Margibi County. In the absence of Head Caretaker Rose Jackson, she met with Dean Shadrach Moore and Missionary Debbie Thompson, donating boys’ boxer briefs, girls’ underwear, toothbrushes, hand towels, children’s clothing, washing soap, gallons of oil, noodles, and Christmas gift bags. Caretakers expressed gratitude, noting that the items directly addressed urgent daily needs.
Mrs. Itoka later traveled to Buchanan City, Grand Bassa County, where she supported two additional orphanages: TODCAD Charity Orphanage Home in Four Houses Community, headed by Patience Davies, and Mission Orphanage for Disadvantaged and Unaccompanied Children (MODUC) in Tarr Community, led by Malcolm Vah. Donations there included bags of rice and creamy wheat, milk, noodles, cooking oil, cartons of sardines and luncheon meat, washing soap, Dettol, Clorox, toilet tissue, and Christmas gift bags filled with pencils, markers, biscuits, candies, and pencil pouches.
Authorities at all four institutions offered prayers for Mrs. Itoka and her supporters, praising the gesture as timely and life-changing. Mrs. Itoka estimated that the outreach cost approximately US$4,000, including excess airline baggage fees and locally purchased supplies. She noted that about US$1,000 came from friends and fellow Rotarians in the United States, while she personally covered the balance.
A Rotarian and president of the Freeport–Merrick Rotary Club in the U.S., Mrs. Itoka said her motivation is rooted in gratitude and faith. “I give by passion, not pressure,” she said. “If you have a heart of giving, it should not have geographical boundaries.” Recently honored with the Heart of Service Award at the 2025 Diaspora Heritage Awards, she remains steadfast in her mission to uplift children and underserved communities, pledging to continue supporting orphanages and addressing unmet needs such as poor bedding and infrastructure. Her Christmas outreach, observers say, stands as a reminder of the powerful role diaspora Liberians continue to play in complementing national efforts to care for the most vulnerable—especially during the season of giving.
