The need to expand our local assistance to save lives from Ebola in Liberia remains major priority to our work. Despite the difficulties and delay involved to receive grants from regular grant partners, NRRI has managed to secure some funding through fundraising. We used music as part of our fundraising campaign strategy.
On November 5, 2014, New Orleans musicians headlined a benefit to empower NRRI to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus in Liberia. NRRI's US-based partners, Louisiana Bucket Brigade (LABB) and Africa Brass, hosted the United Against Ebola red, white, and blue benefit to support NRRI's Action Prevents Ebola (APE) campaign. The event was hosted Hi-Ho Lounge (2239 St. Claude Ave.) and featured performances from Africa NOLA, Africa Brass, Mario Abney & the Abney Effect, BateBunda and others and included dance performances from Torrence Taylor, Lady Voodoo and Abeo. There was also a silent auction of local art, and people were asked to wear read, white and blue. Funds raised by the event were used to distribute chloride bottles, hand-washing buckets, bags of rice, and Ebola education to 100,000 people in 5 Liberian communities. Abel Williams Cheayan, the 25-year-old NRRI president and Liberian environmental activist, is the president of NRRI and Liberian environmental activist, worked with LABB in June/July 2014 as part of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders.
