Transforming Dreams into Reality: The Story of the Carpentry Workshop in Liberia

In the heart of SKD blvd, Swankamore Community, Monrovia, Liberia, a small but vibrant carpentry workshop is a beacon of hope and opportunity for the community. The workshop’s journey began with a man’s dream, Jerry Blassingame, a compassionate philanthropist from South Carolina who serves as the Executive Director of a non-profit organization called Soteria Community Development Corporation. With a passion for empowering communities and an unwavering belief in the potential of the people of Liberia, Jerry set out to make a difference. 

In 2020 I met Jerry and got trained in the prison ministry; Jerry learned about the program I'm running in Liberia and the need for skilled carpentry workers in Liberia, where many families lacked adequate housing and job opportunities. Recognizing that skilled labor could not only improve living conditions but also empower local artisans most especially people coming out of prisons, and youth on the outside, he decided to take action. 

Jerry invited me to South Carolina and offered free training in woodworking. He organized a fundraising campaign, and with the help of his Connections, he managed to gather substantial-high-quality entry tools, including saws, chisels, drills, and safety gear. They go on and pay to ship and clear the container. The moment that the container arrived in Liberia, they unleashed a wave of excitement. The tools were no longer just pieces of equipment; they were the keys to transforming lives. 

To ensure the tools would be used effectively, I set up a carpentry workshop at once. I spent several months honing skills in the United States, where I learned innovative carpentry techniques and sustainable building practices. 

Upon my return, I was determined to uplift  communities sharing my knowledge. With Jerry’s generous donation of tools and his background in carpentry, I launched a training program at the workshop. The initiative aimed at teaching local young people not just the art of woodworking but also the critical skills associated with sustainable housing development. 

Word of the workshop’s opening quickly spread throughout the community, attracting eager participants. Young men and women showed up daily, full of enthusiasm, ready to learn from me and my team. As the weeks turned into months, these budding carpenters will become proficient in various techniques: constructing furniture, building cabinets, and even crafting essential items for homes. 

The workshop is becoming a hub of creativity and learning.

Local artisans began to gather, sharing their own knowledge, while i mentored them in advanced techniques and business acumen. The trainees not only learned how to work with their hands but also how to think critically about their community’s housing needs. 

The impact is profound. As participants honed their skills, they started taking on actual projects in the community already. With my guidance, they built fences, repaired roofs, and crafted furniture for families in need. The workshop transformed into a source of pride as trainees equipped themselves for the future and will become entrepreneurs, creating their own businesses. 

Through this transformation, my focus is on two key principles: sustainability and empowerment.

I emphasized the importance of using locally sourced wood and sustainable materials, which proved vital in promoting ecological awareness in the community. And as the trainers will become leaders, they will instilled a sense of self-reliance among their peers. 

As the workshop is flourishing, Jerry continued to support our efforts from afar, he might visit Liberia whenever possible in November of 2025 by God Grace. His commitment extended beyond the initial donation; his facilitated connections with other organizations that provided further resources. With each visit, Jerry will witness the burgeoning success of the workshop and the positive changes it brought to the community. 

By 2026, the carpentry workshop might have grown into a model for community development. It not only providing job skills but also reinforcing the importance of community ties and collaboration. Families will continue to thrive, and the workshop's graduates will contribute to improving housing standards and their lives. 

The success story of the carpentry workshop in Liberia is a testament to the power of compassion, education, and community spirit. Jerry Blassingame’s generous donations, combined with the financial support from Ann Edenfield, Mary Briggs, Lynn Novak, Pastor Jimmie Compton Jr. and, many more expertise, did not just create skilled carpenters; they are cultivating a movement of hope, resilience, and sustainable living that will resonate in Liberia for generations to come. 

Indeed, a simple act of generosity transformed lives, built homes, and restored dignity.

As i likes to say, “Together, we are not just building furniture; we are building futures.”

Raymond Fallah Bombo
Executive Director
Family Connections  Liberia
Swankamore Community,  SKD Blvd, Congo Township, Republic of Liberia,  West Africa