Liberian principal says situation in his country is grave

ATLANTA — A principal of a boarding school in Liberia told Channel 2 Action News the situation in his community is grave.

Channel 2’s Craig Lucie spoke to Dr. Olu Menjay, a native of Liberia, via Skype Saturday. Menjay is the principal of Ricks Institute in Monrovia.

“This is unbelievable. We have never experienced such a thing like this,” said Menjay. “Tough, tough experience. I know a couple people infected by Ebola and also died.”

Menjay received degrees from several American universities, including a double major in religion and sociology from Mercer in Macon. He says the streets are mostly quiet with people staying indoors due to the Ebola virus outbreak.

“Our school is shut down, by the mandate from the government that all schools in Liberia should be shut down indefinitely,” said Menjay.

Lucie asked Menjay what he is doing to stay safe in his community.

“Washing our hands, staying indoors, not being in public, making sure food we eat is cooked well and not shaking hands, which is tough in our community,” Menjay said.

Menjay said they had to lay off people at their school since it's shut down and the virus is having a ripple effect.

“Most of major health facilities in the country are shut down, so not only Ebola is a threat, but all the diseases are a threat. People are not only dying now from Ebola, but other illnesses,” said Menjay.

Menjay told Lucie that people in Liberia are desperate for international support and he asked that everyone keep them in their prayers.

WSBTV