SRC, Jeety Rubbe share Independence Day gifts to over 7,000 Liberians
Indian businessman, Upjit Singh Sachdeva (A.K.A. Jeety) has extended Independence Day gesture to 7,145 Liberians in Monrovia and Weala, Margibi County.
By Stephen G. Fellajuah
Monrovia, Liberia; July 28, 2025 – The Salala Rubber Corporation (SRC) and its subsidiary, Jeety Rubber LLC, have extended a significant Independence Day gesture to 7,145 Liberians in Monrovia and Weala, Margibi County, as part of ongoing corporate social responsibility efforts.
The initiative, driven by compassion and deep community engagement, included hot meals to 1,600 inmates at the Monrovia Central Prison (South Beach) and support to 500 disadvantaged youths (commonly referred to as Zogoes). The exercise also aided 45 struggling motorbike riders and provided gifts to 5,000 children across five SRC camps in Weala.
The cornerstone of the Independence Day outreach, commemorating Liberia’s 178th Independence Anniversary, was the provision of a nutritious hot meal to 1,600 inmates at the overcrowded South Beach Prison.
The meal, which included rice, chicken, beans, cake, water, and soft drinks, was a notable upgrade from the prison’s typical fare and offered the inmates a moment of dignity and inclusion on a day of national pride.
Beyond the prison walls, the companies also extended help to over 500 disadvantaged youths on Center Street and nearby communities, many of whom have long been marginalized due to drug addiction and societal neglect.
As part of the outreach in Weala, SRC and Jeety Rubber targeted motorbike riders, a vital yet often overlooked segment of Liberia’s informal economy. These 45 riders, many of whom struggle daily to provide for their families, each received a 25kg bag of rice.
The distribution process, held at a company facility, was orderly and well-organized. Several riders expressed heartfelt gratitude, noting that the rice would greatly ease their household burdens amid a rising cost of living.
The initiative wasn’t limited to adults. In Weala, 5,000 children across SRC’s five plantation camps received carefully selected Independence Day gifts, bringing joy and reinforcing a sense of national celebration.
Many of the children, dressed by their parents for the occasion, were visibly excited, reflecting the companies’ commitment to fostering a brighter future for Liberia’s youth and promoting unity and hope.
In a move to encourage youth recreation and community bonding, Mr. Upjit Singh Sachdeva, popularly known as Jeety, announced additional cash prizes for an ongoing local football tournament organized by the companies.
The pledged amounts include L$25,000 for the winner, L$15,000 for second place, and L$10,000 for third place. These are in addition to the tournament’s existing prize structure.
The Independence Day gesture followed just days after a July 23 CSR event, during which SRC and Jeety Rubber donated a fully equipped ambulance, school bus, and a renovated Town Hall to the people of Weala.
These donations aim to address key local needs, improve emergency healthcare access, support student transportation, and provide a space for community events.
Once plagued by internal strife and aging infrastructure, SRC, one of Liberia’s oldest rubber plantations, has undergone a dramatic transformation under Mr. Jeety’s leadership. Key improvements include ongoing renovations across the company’s five camps and schools.
Expansion of management housing, increased employment opportunities with better pay structures, and solar lighting installations in surrounding communities.
Meanwhile, Jeety Rubber LLC, also based in Weala, has become a hub for processing raw rubber into finished and semi-finished products, including TSR10, for both local use and export.
Mr. Jeety emphasized that his efforts go beyond corporate image.
“This isn’t just about giving food or gifts,” he said. “It’s about compassion, ensuring that even inmates, disadvantaged youth, motorcyclists, and children are not forgotten on a national day like July 26.”
He further emphasized the importance of corporate citizenship, urging Liberian businesses to make positive contributions to the communities in which they operate.
The initiative drew widespread praise from residents of Weala, including motorbike riders, community leaders, and parents, many of whom described Jeety’s actions as a model of meaningful social impact.
“Mr. Jeety continues to show that he cares. He’s not from here, but he’s doing more than most,” said a local resident.
This year’s Independence Day celebrations, marked by SRC and Jeety Rubber’s humanitarian outreach, have not only fed bodies but lifted spirits, reminding Liberians that progress comes from unity, compassion, and shared responsibility. Editing by Jonathan Browne
