Though Donoho has been faithful in supporting COTN’s ministry in Sierra Leone, he has always had a heart for serving the children of Liberia.  The American businessman spent part of his childhood in Liberia, where his father, a civil engineer, built the Port of Buchanan and the railway to the Nimba mountains.  In March, Donoho and Clark will travel to Liberia a second time, to discern a way forward for COTN’s ministry there.

Donoho brings years of experience as the president and CEO of Bird-B-Gone, the world’s largest manufacturer and distributor of commercial grade bird control products.  His unique passions and experience with COTN will make him a valuable member of the leadership team.

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Children of the Nations is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising children who transform nations. The organization currently serves in Sierra Leone, Malawi, Uganda, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Liberia, providing holistic care to orphaned and destitute children. For more information, visit www.cotni.org.

For more information contact:
Pam Wright, Senior Director – Advancement
360-698-7227 / pamwright@cotni.org

Bricks made with machine provided by Bird B Gone built this and other buildings to house orphans in Sierra Leone!

MISSION VIEJO, CALIF. — When Bruce Donoho, owner of Bird-B-Gone, traveled to Sierra Leone in 2010 to meet Alfred, an orphan he and his wife Julie had sponsored, he had no idea of the lasting impact it would have.

What has unfolded for Donoho and Bird-B-Gone since then has affected numerous lives both at home and in the West African nations he visited.
Donoho recently returned from his second trip to Liberia and Sierra Leone, where he completed one major philanthropic project, building a children’s dormitory, and set plans in motion for others. The impoverished nations continue to suffer from the devastating effects of extended rebel wars that destroyed much of their infrastructures and left many children orphaned. With unemployment rates topping 80 percent, most families live in poverty and malnutrition is common.

The Donohos first heard about Alfred through Children of the Nations International (COTN), a charitable organization pledging medical aid, safety, nutrition and education to the children of these and other nations in need. After sponsoring the child for three years, the Donohos wanted to meet Alfred and check out the credentials of the organization they’d backed.

Bird B Gone Family & Friends pack food for Children of Haidi

“This started out as, if we can just help or save one child that doesn’t have a lot of hope, it’s worth it,” Donoho said. “It’s turned out to be even bigger than that.”

Donoho lived in Liberia for a short time when he was young, but says the country is in worse shape today, with the prevalence of poverty, malnutrition, disease and lack of education.

After the first fact-finding mission, Donoho researched ways to make a lasting difference in both countries, dedicating money to build the dorm in Sierra Leone and funding a feasibility study in Liberia in hopes of building an orphanage there. Now the first project has come to fruition, a brick dormitory that can house as many as 30 children. “It’s a concrete example of what we can do,” Donoho said.

While bricks are a relative scarcity in these West African nations, the guesthouse is constructed of tongue-in-groove style bricks made onsite by a specialized machine Bird-B-Gone purchased. The idea for the machine came from Chris Clark, founder of COTN, who traveled to West Africa with him.

The portable device manufactures bricks using native materials and rocks. “It has worked out really well,” Donoho says. “Most of the buildings they have are mud and thatch,” said Donoho, “so this is one of their first brick buildings there, and it’s from the machine that we purchased for them.” Now the village is building other structures with the machine. The bricks also can be sold, Donoho noted. “It’s kind of an opportunity not only to build their own things but to create some sort of revenue for the orphanage,” Donoho observed.

Donoho’s companion trip to Liberia wasn’t quite as productive, where red tape hampered efforts to secure land and permits. “We’ve been able to get a faster response from the situation in Sierra Leone,” Donoho observed. “It’s already been established and they have a continuing need.”

Donoho admits he’s not much of a fund-raiser when it comes to financing efforts like these, so Bird-B-Gone paid for the project. But his colleagues got involved anyway. Some employees and industry colleagues have since sponsored children of their own. And Bird-B-Gone employees recently volunteered at three COTN-sponsored events, packaging thousands of meals for shipment to West Africa, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Witnessing the benefits of their assistance upon those who need it has been life-changing for himself as well as his employees, Donoho observed. “It has definitely enriched their lives,” he reflected. “As is often the case with situations like this where you’re serving, the person that serves is often the one that’s the most blessed.”

What’s more Donoho now identifies COTN as an organization that’s truly fulfilling its mission. “We’ve found in Children of the Nations the real deal,” Donoho said. “It’s really a joy to be hooked up with somebody that’s actually helping people.”

Donoho says the ongoing experience also ties in with Bird-B-Gone’s long-standing motto. “We’ve always said that it’s more than bird control products; it’s faith, family and friends,” said Donoho. “It gives us an opportunity to actualize that, to actually make a difference.”

Donoho plans to return to West Africa in early 2012 to further the cause. Ideas include building a medical clinic or church. He also hasn’t ruled out launching philanthropic efforts at home, particularly in light of recent news stories indicating a rise in U.S. poverty. “We’re always looking for a new area, and so recently it’s just becoming apparent that there’s a lot of need in the United States too.”

Being in business in these uncertain times, owners need to look beyond the bottom line and step up to worthwhile causes, Donoho says. “Everybody needs help. And so, in a small way, we’re doing that.”
To support these and similar efforts, visit COTN’s website, www.cotni.org.

Related articles

• Children of the Nations Launches Ministry in Haiti and Liberia (prweb.com)
• The Roof is Ready to Go Up! (birdbgonegivesback.com)
• Bird B Gone Helps Build Children’s Dormitories (birdbgonegivesback.com)

Bird-B-Gone and owner Bruce Donoho have a heart for the children of Sierra Leone and Liberea.  As a youngster, Bruce spent several years living in Sierra Leone and Libera with his family.  His father was responsible for building the railroad and harbor in Libera during the early 1960′s.  Since that time Bruce has always had a heart for the Liberian and Sierra Leone people.  When the opprotunity came about to help build a Childrens Village, Bruce and the Bird-B-Gone Family jumped at the chance.

The Bird-B-Gone Family welcomes you, our friends and family to join us in helping the Children of Sierra Leone.  If you would like to donate to the building in Sierra Leone, just follow the link to the Children of the Nations website.  Your prayers and good wishes are also welcome!

Please come back soon to see how the buildings are progessing and to share in Bruce’s upcoming visit to Sierra Leone and Liberia!

The dormitory is a part of the Childrens Village in Sierra Leone run by Children of the Nations. It will be used to house orphaned children in Sierra Leone, as well as visitors to the orphanage.

Bird B Gone would like to thank all of our customers.  Without your help we would not have been able to raise this building. A big thank you also to our friends who have given support to the children of Sierra Leone.

Building using local materials

The brick making machines use local materials to make the bricks on the building site.  This is much more economical and easier to supply as it is difficult to get building materials sent into the outback where most villages are located.

Saturday May 7th Children of the Nations held a food-packing event in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA and Bird-B-Gone employees and family members came out to volunteer and show support.

The event was designed to invite community members to volunteer in assembly line packaging of dried foods to send to children in Haiti. 82,000 meals were packaged. The event made local news “Volunteers assemble food bags for hungry children” and was a BIG success!

At Bird-B-Gone, our motto is “It’s more than just bird control, it’s faith family and friends” and we don’t just say it – we live it!

Bird-B-Gone Owner Julie Donoho had a great time connecting with the community and giving her time for a good cause:

Ed Perry, Controller and son Gianlucca

“It was a pleasure to join in the Children of the Nations Meal Packaging event and see all the other volunteers.   This event is done nationwide and gives people of all ages a chance to “give back” by packaging thousands of meals for the hungry in Africa, Dominican Republic, and Haiti.  I was proud to see our Bird-B-Gone family come out on a Saturday and join in the cause.  These events are organized, fun, and a chance for groups like churches, schools, and other organizations to come together for a great cause.  And, I even think Bird-B-Gone might have had the youngest participant, 18 month old Gianlucca Perry!”

Currently, Elijah is in charge of the COTN feasibility study for Liberia.  There is a lot of work to be done there.  Primarily determining “where a COTN facility wold be built.  Also, he is working with various government authorities to assure compliance.  At ethe end of his work, we should have a better idea on how to proceed in Liberia.  It’s a big job but Elijah has the determination , brains and heart to do it well.

Elijah and "adopted" son!

On the last day in Liberia prior to departing Elijah  (pictured here on the left in the Bird-B-Gone hat) brought along a friend…Louis.  He introduced him as his son.  Well actually Louis is not his biological son.  As Elijah explained, Louis is an orphan…and he is now being cared for by Elijah.  They both live in a small 2 room apartment in Monrovia.  Elijah pays for his schooling, food and a roof over his head.  Elijah tutors Louis and keeps him focused on his ultimate goal of graduating from university.  Elijah has decided to “pay it forward” … to save a young mans life…just as his was saved by Chris Clark.

Bruce with Hon. Julia D. Cessell

One day we met with Hon.  Julia D. Cessell, she is basically “the governor” of all of Bassa County.  A powerful position.  She is a strong leader and person.  She was educated in the United States and lived in Sacramento for many years…AND decided to give up her life in the U.S. to return to Liberia and serve.  I met many impressive people on the trip – she was impressive with a capitol “I”.  She is a big part of the hope I see for Liberia.

She explained the government position on orphanages in Liberia.  There are currently over 180 operating orphanages.  After the war, there was such an immediate need that facilities for children were created rapidly and in probably an unorganized fashion.  The goal of the government is to reduce the number of orphan facilities based on strict standards for serving the children.  This is a good thing…but what happens to the children who attend a facility slated for closure?

We discussed this issue and how Children of the Nations could open a top quality facility and perhaps help in the placement of future / current children in need…and there are a lot of them.

Children at Buchanan Orphanage

After much discussion, Chris Clark (founder / president COTH) has decided to fund a team “on the ground” in Liberia to perform and complete a “feasibility study” on opening facilities for children in Liberia — a wise move.  What you learn is that just “giving money / spending money” in these situation is an historic and common mistake.  Careful analysis and planning is essential to crating a facility with a high probability of success.

I know that with the strong relationships we started – “the ball is now rolling” in Liberia!

A Young Bruce in Libera Circa 1960's

As I stated previously, one of my goals was to find “our old camp” and visit the land of nostalgia…boyhood memories.  Our camp housed from 300-400 workers and managers who were commissioned with building the port in Buchanan.  Work on this project and the railroad inland to the iron ore fields was quite an undertaking, especially in 1961.  The job was completed in 1964.

Bruce with Oretha Johnstone

First, we visited the port.  It is now under heavy security…however one of the friends we made was Oretha Johnstone who is the manager of the port.  She opened a lot of doors for us.  She is another example of a highly educated - STRONG WOMAN – who I believe is an example of the future of this country.  She allowed me to walk all around the harbor.  It is still strong.  Still viable.  An impressive testimony to hard work and dedication of all the people who worked on it.

The Harbor also offers hope the government is currently clearing it of a number of sunken ships.  Many the casualties of war.  The ships are painstakingly being removed and cut up for scrap.  They are also planning to accommodate large, deep drafted ships.  When the port re opens, it creates major opportunities for Buchanan and Liberia again – unemployment stands at 85% and above…an open, vibrant port creates a lot of jobs, opportunity and HOPE!

The Port of Buchanan

We finally found our way to our “old camp”.  It’s not far from the Harbor.  A few buildings still exist – but I really didn’t recognize them.  However, the road that looped through our encampment was still there.  Everything overgrown with Savannah and bush.

More Orphan girls.  Breaks my heart.