NAMCAL-USA, an acronym for National Maryland County Association of Liberia USA, is an umbrella organization of the various state associations of citizens and residents hailing from Maryland County, Liberia, and residing in the USA, to provide relief and other assistance programs. NAMCAL is a certified not for profit 501(c)(3) legal entity. All donations and contributions are eligible for U.S. income tax deduction benefit per IRS regulations. Your generous donation is highly appreciated.

MISSION STATEMENT

In Collaboration with her member chapters, NAMCAL-USA will Strive to Improve and Preserve the quality of life in Maryland County through Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance, Economic Empowerment, Advocacy for Justice, And the Rule of Law.

BACKGROUND

The history of NAMCAL can be traced to the events of the Liberian civil war, which began on December 24, 1989 and lasted up to the early 2000s. At the height of the Liberian crisis, which took the lives of thousands of Liberians and destroyed the social, political, and economic structures of the country, many Liberians found the need to organize themselves to provide humanitarian assistance to the suffering people of Liberia. In this effort, the U.S. Diaspora Liberians hailing from Maryland County began to organize themselves into organizations.

The first Maryland County organization that was founded was the Coalition for Development and Progress, organized in the state of Ohio. In 1993, the organization sent its executive director to the Liberian Refugee Camp in Taboo, La Cote D’ Ivoire (The Ivory Coast) to assess the conditions of the Liberian refugees predominantly hailing from Maryland County, Liberia. Subsequently, the organization organized a relief effort in the form of interest-free small loans to the refugees to help the refugees help themselves.

The efforts of the Maryland Coalition group were soon followed by many other Marylanders organizations, including the Marylanders For Progress based in the Maryland State-Washington, DC metro area, Maryland County Organization of Atlanta, the Maryland County Organization of Rhode Island, Maryland County Association of New York, Barrobo District Association, and Karluway District Association, to name a few.

Like the Maryland Coalition group, Marylanders For Progress undertook projects for the benefit of the county. For example, the organization sent twenty thousand (20,000) textbooks for elementary, junior high and high schools in the County. In addition, Marylanders For Progress established the Maryland County Market Women Micro-Loan Program, sent hospital supplies and organized an effort to restore J. J. Dossen Memorial Hospital in Harper, the only regional hospital in the southeastern region of Liberia. Other Maryland County organizations initiated programs to benefit the people of Maryland County as well.

THE BIRTH OF NAMCAL

Although the various Maryland County organizations were fostering unity among individual members as well as making significant contributions to rebuilding the lives of Marylanders in Liberia, it was soon realized that much progress could be made if these various Maryland County organizations came together and formed one national organization. Thus, starting in 2000, a series of leadership meetings hosted by Maryland County Association of Georgia and Marylanders for Progress were held. The meetings were attended by members of the Maryland County organizations in the U.S.A, as well as some Marylanders in the Diaspora. At these meetings, it was decided that to consolidate the resources of the various organizations, and one national Maryland County organization in the U.S.A. be organized. Thus, in September 2003, NAMCAL was formed in Beltsville, Maryland, as an umbrella organization that would serve as a facilitator for all Maryland County organizations in the United States of America.

PURPOSE

•  The purpose of NAMCAL, as stated in the constitution includes:
•  To support and promote unity among all Marylanders.
•  To be a meaningful voice for all Marylanders at home and abroad that will seek to influence public policy of the Liberian government towards the County of Maryland.
•  To promote the establishment of additional State and local chapters of Maryland County organizations in the USA.
•  To facilitate cooperation and collaboration between and among the local Maryland chapters/organizations existing within the USA.
•  In collaboration with member organizations, design, plan and execute development programs/projects in the interest of Maryland County and Liberia.
•  To organize and conduct, in collaboration with member/chapter organizations, fund raising activities for supporting the organization’s programs.

WHO BECOMES A MEMBER OF NAMCAL?

Membership to NAMCAL is open to all established Maryland County organizations in the U.S.A. However, individuals who are not members of any established Maryland County organization can become an associate member.
Membership requirements

•  Must be a duly organized association, registered under local state and federal laws.
•  Pay registration and membership fees.
•  Promise to support and promote the developmental and unity objectives of Maryland County and the Republic of Liberia.
•  Must be highly sensitive towards the social, economic, and political Development of Maryland County and Liberia.
•  Must always abide by all bylaws and regulations of NAMCAL-USA.

MARYLAND COUNTY

Maryland County is a county in the southeastern portion of Liberia. One of 15 counties that comprise the first-level of administrative division in the nation, it has two districts. Harper serves as the capital with the area of the county measuring 887 square miles. As of the 2022 Census, it had a population of 172,202, making it the ninth most populous county in Liberia. Named after the State of Maryland in the United States, it was an independent country as the Republic of Maryland from 1854 until it joined Liberia in 1857. The most populous city in the county is Pleebo, with 22,963 residents, while Maryland's County Superintendent is Henry Cole. The county is bordered by Grand Kru County to the west and River Gee County to the north. The eastern part of Maryland borders the nation of Ivory Coast, separated by the Cavalla River.

Capital *Harper*
Largest city *Pleebo*
Districts *4* ( *Harper, Pleebo, Karluway and Barrobo* )
Established *1857*
Superintendent *Hon. Henry Cole*
Population (2022) *172,202*