Community

Engaging proactively and in support of local communities – with special focus on those bordering the concession – is a key component of our role as a responsible corporate citizen operating in Liberia.

Commitment to the Community

Being aware of the importance of building solid relations with surrounding communities, our engagement framework ensures respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Mindful of our engagement goals, our 27-person community engagement team interacts regularly with 74 communities divided into four zones.

Community Impact Fast Facts

Dedicated Teammates

Firestone Liberia has a team of 27 teammates dedicated to engagement with and support of community activities in and around the concession.

COVID-19 Support

In 2021, Firestone engaged with the Ministry of Health and USAID to distribute the COVID-19 vaccination through its medical facilities to teammates, their families and to the general public.

Future Growth

Firestone Liberia has supplied 5.6 million free natural rubber stumps to 2,100 Liberian rubber farmers to help revitalize the country’s natural rubber industry in the aftermath of its prolonged civil wars.

Empowering Women

Firestone Liberia is actively promoting the participation of women throughout its operations. A third of all teachers in the Firestone Liberia school system are women, and approximately 20% of management employees across the company are female. The company recognizes female excellence across the business, employing women in positions such as mechanics, heavy equipment operators, bud grafting technicians, teachers, nurses, doctors, superintendents, supervisors, managers and directors.

Drinking Water in Local Communities

Firestone Natural Rubber is committed to improving the living conditions of its teammates and their families, its work partners and the people in surrounding communities, which includes a company managed bore well program that helps ensure clean and safe drinking water for thousands of Liberians. Drinking water is regularly sampled and tested to ensure a continuous, clean supply.

Building Bridges and Roads

On December 6, 2021, Firestone Liberia joined with Government of Liberia officials to commemorate the opening of the reconstructed Du River Bridge, a critical thoroughfare connecting major centers of commerce within the country.

The Du River Bridge collapsed in 2017 as a result of heavily loaded trucks transporting material for the Roberts International Airport runway project. Originally scheduled to open in 2020, the completion of the project was delayed as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic.

The reconstruction effort involved a partnership between the Government of Liberia and Firestone Liberia to provide the USD $1.3 million in funding for the bridge reconstruction and associated civil works. In turn, the government will provide tax relief to Firestone Liberia for a portion of the project expense.

Investing in the Future

Firestone Natural Rubber invests approximately USD $150,000 annually to provide scholarships for higher education opportunities to qualified Liberian students from across the country. A significant number of students who have benefited from the Firestone Natural Rubber scholarship program graduated with honors, many of whom are the dependents of Firestone Natural Rubber teammates and are now employed in Liberia and internationally.

Community Engagement

Engaging proactively and in support of local communities – including a dedicated focus on those bordering the concession – is a key component of Firestone Liberia’s role as a partner of the people and government of Liberia.

Being aware of the importance of building solid relations with surrounding communities, our engagement framework ensures respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Mindful of our engagement goals, our community engagement team interacts regularly with the 74 external communities that are organized into four zones.

While respecting the unique cultural norms and practices of local communities, as well as Liberian legal and regulatory frameworks, Firestone Liberia’s community activities include the following areas of engagement, education and support:

Home economics/management
Domestic violence awareness, education and reporting
Family interaction support
Encouraging community residents to engage in skills to empower themselves financially
Encouraging and instructing community residents to clean and maintain facilities and their surroundings
Providing clothing, food, toys and educational materials
Community leadership workshops
Psychosocial counseling

Community Education

Our Community Affairs department provides basic education and engagements on a wide range of topics such as illicit drugs awareness, cultivating family values, how to take care of the home, Firestone housing and facilities management and abiding by community ordinances, via a regular interactive radio program on the Voice of Firestone radio. People in and around the Firestone communities usually call in to ask questions.

Community Support

Firestone Liberia provides support against all forms of violence on women and girls in the communities, with a zero tolerance for domestic violence.

Firestone Liberia provides support for different community initiatives such as helping to construct hand pumps and standpipes for the communities, public latrine facilities, palava-huts for public interaction, and erecting solar lights in remote areas on the farm.

Community Impact News

Firestone Liberia Renovates Clinic In Owensgrove Community

Newsroom

Thu March 17, 2022