Since its formation in July 2020 in Liberia, Dr. Daniel E. Cassell’s Foundation has been impacting the lives of the country’s increasing indigent population; which includes the physically challenged women, youths and students, the elderly, the distressed, the marginalized, as well as many others long-forgotten by the wayside.
Headed by an esteemed Liberian humanitarian and an American trained Mental Health/Behavioral Specialist Consultant (BSC), Dr. Daniel E. Cassell, as Founder/President/ and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Cassell’s Foundation, by its manifold activities almost across the country, is indisputably proving itself not only as a reputable but also reliable humanitarian institution that focuses on addressing the wide gap in services for the indigents, underserved and uninsured citizens and residents across the country.
Days after its formal launch in 2020, and in line with its declared objectives, the Cassell’s Foundation identified hundreds of visually impaired and less fortunate citizens and residents in Montserrado and Margibi Counties.
At the time, the Foundation provided 100 bags of American Delta parboiled and other imported rice at the costs of US$2,800 and L$195,000, respectively.
Beneficiaries of the said donation came from various communities in Margibi and Montserrado Counties, including the Group of 77, the Disabled Rights Association of Liberia, Sinkor Disabled Union, among others.
In Margibi County, beneficiaries included citizens of various towns and villages such as Dillon Farm, Compound and Townsend Town, Gbomo Kollie, Jwelesue, Sagbah, Gaimusue, Daimusue, and Mophe. Even local leaders, including town chiefs and commissioners, immensely benefited from the Cassell’s Foundation’s humanitarian gesture.
As part of the Foundation’s effort to put enduring smiles on the faces of the poor and the needy, Daniel E. Cassell, who holds a Ph.D. in Health Psychology/Behavioral Medicine from the Northcentral University in Prescott, Arizona, United States of America (USA), has been serving as the principal source of relief assistance for thousands of Liberia’s poor and the neglected through people-centered and impactful donations and services.
Additionally, the Daniel E. Cassell Foundation has completed the construction of the bridges to the delight and appreciation of thousands of citizens in nearby towns and villages and even beyond. The total cost of the bridges has been put at US$210,000.
Construction of the bridges will connect various towns and villages and ensure free movement of people, goods, and services.
Cassell, a Licensed Clinical Drugs and Alcohol Counselor in the United States of America (USA), has received multiple honors and recognitions at home and in the Diasporas for his many humanitarian and professional services.
For instance, in 2020, Dr. Daniel E. Cassell Cassell was selected by an array of reputable local media outlets as “Man of the Year; Humanitarian of the Year; among many other accolades for his memorable services in the Liberian nation.
Beyond the borders of Liberia, Dr. Daniel E. Cassell is a proud recipient of multiple professional certifications/LICENSURE in the United States of America (USA).
In the USA, Dr. Daniel E. Cassell is a Nationally Certified Psychologist, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)-PA, National Board -Certified Counselor (NBCC), Internationally Certified Clinical Supervisor (ICCS), Internationally Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Internationally Certified Co-Occurring Disorder Professional Diplomat, Certified Family Trauma Professional and Certified Sex Offenders Treatment Specialist.
It may be recalled that in August 2020, Cassell indicated that the Cassell’s Foundation primarily seeks to meet the basic needs of less fortunate Liberians and their empowerment through vocational training, agricultural growth and development, skills acquisition, and enhancement for Liberian youths and students and other deserving citizens and residents.
He made these assertions at a well-attended and colorful program marking the formal launch of the Daniel E. Cassell’s Foundation in Liberia.
The President and CEO pointed out that the Cassell Foundation, since its creation, has been collaborating with an array of domestic and other development partners for the achievement of its development objectives.
Interestingly, the Daniel E. Cassell Foundation made its landmark and historic appearance on the Liberian humanitarian and educationally empowerment landscape during the outbreak of COVID-19, when it provided intense public awareness and education on not only the dangers of the pandemic but also how to effectively undermine its spread including regular hands-washing, social distancing, wearing of face marks, among others as advanced by the World Health Organizations (WHO), United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Liberia Ministry of Health and other collaborating partners.
With its operation offices in West Orange, New Jersey, United States of America (USA), and in Margibi and Montserrado Counties, the Republic of Liberia, the Daniel E. Cassell is poised to achieve its objectives.
While addressing the program marking the observance of the 56th Anniversary of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) in September 2020, Dr. Cassell did not only call on Liberian journalists and media institutions to uphold professionalism also ethical responsibilities aimed at sustaining Liberia’s hard-won peace and democracy.
At said PUL anniversary ceremony, the Cassell’s Foundation Founder/ President formally presented a check of US$10,000 to the PUL, an umbrella group of Liberian journalists and media institutions.
He told the huge gathering that said funding donation from the Foundation as part of its effort towards empowering the Liberian media to remain impartial and independent in the performance of their professional duties and to remain unwavering in their advocacy and support for free speech, free press, the rule of law, and other acts of good governance including accountability, transparency, and probity in the use of state finances and other resources.
He explained that it was in consideration of the vision and objectives of the Foundation that he (Cassell), while pursuing doctoral studies in 2006 in the USA, founded a Mental Health/Behavioral and Substance Abuse Agency named Kwenyan Professional Health Services, LLC.
Likewise, in 2008, Cassell was Licensed as a Professional Counselor in the American State of Pennsylvania. He later became a Licensed Clinical Drug and Alcohol Counselor in the US State of New Jersey, thus enabling him to begin his professional career in private practice.
After a year in private practice, Dr. Cassell’s agency was approved by the New Jersey Division of Child Behavioral Health as an Intensive in-home and Community Provider (IIC) in 2009. He continued his private practice on a part-time basis for two years while launching his agency in the State of New Jersey.
However, according to CEO Cassell, due to the increase in his agency’s work demands, he eventually closed down his private practice in 2011. He went into full-time work to fully establish his agency.
In addressing the gap in services, Cassell, a 2002 product of the famous Temple University, established an outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Clinic in 2010, which was subsequently licensed by the State of New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, as a “continuum of care for the youths transitioning from the IIC program and for the public who required services within the community.”
As of July 2020, Dr. Cassell owns and operates two licensed and joint accredited organizations: Kwenyan Professional Health Services, LLC (for-profit parent organization and Kwenyan and Associates (not-for-profit subsidiary organization), with a total of seven Intensive/Outpatient Mental Health and Addictions Outpatient Clinics at seven locations through the American State of New Jersey.
Each of these facilities is an NJ State Licensed and nationally accredited by the Joint Commission for Healthcare Organizations (JCHCO).
Subsequently, he employed over 150 full-time and five consultants ranging from Psychiatrist (MD), Psychologist, Advance Practice Nurse (APN), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC, Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC), Administrative Assistants, Accountants, Medical Biller and Coders, Drivers, driver’s Aids, Therapists Aid, security, Building Maintenance Manager, Housekeeping Manager, etc.
Another major contribution provided by the Cassell Foundation, which continues to generate public appreciation in Liberia, relates to the donation of several speed guns and breathalyzers to the Liberia National Police (LNP) aimed at arresting the excessive speeding by commercial and other drivers along the nation’s motor roads, a situation which, many traffic experts believe often lead to tragic motor accidents and property damage.
Dr. Cassell is also the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the newly established Kwenyan Security Firm, which is fast introducing world-class private security operations and management in Liberia’s growing and challenging private security sector.
Moreover, thousands of Liberia’s physically challenged and other marginalized citizens in deprived communities have immensely benefited from the humanitarian activities of the Daniel E. Cassell Foundation in the rural parts of the country, including but not limited to Grand Bassa, Bomi, Bong, Nimba Grand Gedeh and Grand Cape Mount Counties.
These citizens have been delighted recipients of basic food commodities, including bags of rice and gallons of oil from the Foundation as Liberia battles the COVID-19 pandemic, which is severely impacting the nation’s socio-economic, health, and educational fabric.
A few months ago, when the Liberian nation was effectively awash with reports bordering on the suspicious, terrifying but separate death of four of its top-class auditors, including Albert Peters, George Fahnbutu, Gifty Lama, and Emmanuel Barten Nyeswa, of the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), and the Internal Audit Agency, Dr. Daniel E. Cassell, through the famous Cassell’s Foundation with operation offices in the USA and Margibi County Liberia made a whopping L$5m offer for any information that could lead to the arrest and subsequent prosecution of anyone suspected to be connected to the death of the four Liberian auditors.
Following said pronouncement, the Cassell Foundation bankrolled the airing of Jingles via several radio stations and advertisements in several local dailies, encouraging Liberians and residents to provide much-needed information bordering on circumstances leading to the death of the auditors.
Since then, there has so far been no information in the Liberian public domain regarding compliance by anyone or Group with the Cassell’s Foundation’s L$5m reward on the death of the auditors.
Recently, Dr. Cassell’s celebrated his birth anniversary with hundreds of visually impaired and physically challenged Liberians from the Group of 77 and the National Association of Disabled Advocates at the YMCA gymnasium on Crown Hill in Monrovia.
During the birthday celebration, the well-known Liberian humanitarian presented 300 bags of rice, 200 gallons of cooking oil, and L$100,000 to the two groups that celebrated his birthday, along with him and his family members, employees, and friends.
In sports, the Foundation is considered the major sponsor of second division football club, Tony FC, in the Liberia Football Association (LFA) National league.
Meanwhile, Dr. Daniel E. Cassell has presented a check of L$2m to striking employees of the state-owned Liberia Water and Sewage Corporation (LWSC).
The presentation of the check to the aggrieved employees was made at the LWSC site in Robertsport City, Grand Cape Mount County, on Tuesday, March 16, 2021.
The Liberian humanitarian disclosed that the gesture was intended to bring relief to the striking workers and citizens of the county. They trekked long distances to fetch water from nearby creeks and other areas.
The amount presented to the aggrieved LWSC employees is equivalent to L$1,922,700.
They recently staged a go-slow action by shutting down operations at the facility in demand of their over five months salary arrears owed them by the corporation.
Their action prevented the supply of water for cooking, drinking, and other purposes to thousands of county residents.
Dr. Cassell made the presentation of the amount when he visited the striking workers in the county on Tuesday, March 16, 2021.
During his presentation, the Liberian humanitarian disclosed that the gesture was intended to bring relief to the striking workers and citizens of the county. They trekked long distances to fetch water from nearby creeks and other areas.
According to Dr. Cassell, who is also President/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dr. Cassell’s Foundation and Kwenyan Security Firm in Liberia, the streams are not safe for citizens to fetch water for cooking, drinking, and other purposes.
He noted that despite the current situation between authorities of the LWSC and the aggrieved employees, it was prudent to intervene to alleviate the constraints the citizens and employees were faced with.
Dr. Cassell described water as “life” but blamed the strike action on the delay by the government to find an amicable solution to the issues raised by the aggrieved employees in an adequate and timely manner.
He maintained that the situation imposed suffering on the citizens in that area since the wells and streams are not conducive for fetching water.
“This was brought to our attention by our County Chair last night, and so, we feel a sense of commitment to our people of Robertsport for the simple fact that they have been out of water for a week now due to some situation between the management and the government. We thought it wise to come and intervene to help resolve the problem. Despite what may be going on internally, it is our citizens who are suffering”.
“This is a noble cause, and I’m happy that by the special grace of God, we are in the position to come and help our citizens. We want them to resume services and open the lines for our people to continue to receive safe drinking water because water is life. After we spoke with our officials here and the site manager, we didn’t wait any longer to come and help our people”.
Speaking to reporters shortly after the cheque presentation, the PLP Vision Bearer questioned the decision taken by authorities of the LWSC to remain mute on the employees’ plight, even though “water is so vital to life.”
He pointed out that his intervention was based upon his biblical responsibilities always to extend helping hands to those in need.
Many Liberians, at home and abroad, therefore, believe strongly that Dr. Cassell’s Foundation has been positively impacting the lives of thousands of citizens across the country through generous donations to less fortunate groups, scholarship opportunities for grade and university students, construction of bridges to connect farm-to-market roads among many others.
Dr. Cassell is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Pennsylvania, USA, a Licensed Clinical Drug and Alcohol Counselor (LCADC) in New Jersey, and the President/Founder of the Kwenyah Professional Health Services based in the United States.
He is also the President/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dr. Cassell’s Foundation and the Kwenyan Security Firm in Liberia. The amount presented to the aggrieved LWSC employees is equivalent to L$1,922,700.
It can be recalled that aggrieved employees at the LWSC site in Robertsport recently staged a go-slow action by shutting down operations at the facility in demand of their over five months salary arrears owed them the corporation.
Cassell added that their action prevented the supply of water for cooking, drinking, and other purposes to thousands of county residents.
Dr. Cassell made the presentation of the amount when he visited the striking workers in the county on Tuesday, March 16.
Making the presentation, the Liberian humanitarian disclosed that the gesture was intended to bring relief to the striking workers and citizens of the county. They trekked long distances to fetch water from nearby creeks and other areas.
He added that the streams are not safe for citizens to fetch water for cooking, drinking, and other purposes.
He noted that despite the current situation between authorities of the LWSC and the aggrieved employees, it was prudent to intervene to alleviate the constraints the citizens and employees were faced with.
Dr. Cassell described water as “life” but blamed the strike action on the delay by the government to find an amicable solution to the issues raised by the aggrieved employees in an adequate and timely manner.
He maintained that the situation imposed suffering on the citizens in that area since, in fact, the wells and streams are not conducive for fetching water.
“This was brought to our attention by our County Chair last night, and so, we feel a sense of commitment to our people of Robertsport for the simple fact that they have been out of water for a week now due to some situation between the management and the government. We thought it wise to come and intervene to help resolve the problem. Despite what may be going on internally, it is our citizens who are suffering”.
“This is a noble cause, and I’m happy that by the special grace of God, we are in the position to come and help our citizens. We want them to resume services and open the lines for our people to continue to receive safe drinking water because water is life. After we spoke with our officials here and the site manager, we didn’t wait any longer to come and help our people”.
Speaking to reporters shortly after the cheque presentation, the PLP Vision Bearer questioned the decision taken by authorities of the LWSC to remain mute on the employees’ plight, even though “water is so vital to life.”
He pointed out that his intervention was based upon his biblical responsibilities always to extend helping hands to those in need.
“God is going to provide the needs of my fellow citizens through me. I am just a messenger. I am the man of my word; I have integrity and character, and when I see problems-as God directs me, or I am in the position to help, I will help because that’s my biblical responsibility,” Cassell added.
Dr. Cassell noted that it remains the sole responsibility of the government to make its people happy. As such, problems must be solved through concrete actions in the interest of the citizenry.
Receiving the cheque, the Site Manager of the LWSC’s facility in Robertsport, Roland T. C. Washington, commended Dr. Cassell for the gesture.
According to him, employees of the LWSC assigned in Grand Cape Mount have been faced with numerous constraints due to the delay in the payment of their salary arrears by the Liberian government.
He expressed disappointment over the failure of authorities of the LWSC and local government officials in the county to come up with remedies in addressing their grievances.
Washington pointed out that promises were made that their salary arrears could be cleared last February. The government has done nothing to live up to this commitment.
He added that though numerous communications were sent out before the strike action, nobody shows any concern to discourage the aggrieved employees from staging the go-slow action.
“We appreciate the Foundation coming in to help the situation. We have been working for five months now, and we have not received our salaries that rent, current bills, and everything comes from. We are frustrated. I want to say bravo and thank you so much”.
Washington, however, vowed to ensure that his colleagues return to work as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, citizens of Robertsport, Grand Cape Mount County, have lauded Dr. Cassell for “thinking” about them in times of need.
They vowed to remember him in their prayers and help support his dreams and aspirations.
Thousands Jubilate In Margibi
…As Daniel Cassell Dedicates Three Modern Bridges At The Cost of US$250,000 To Enhance Free Movement
Before and after entering the crowded political space in Liberia, Daniel E. Cassell, a renowned, well connected, and American trained Liberian health specialist, consultant, and service provider, has primarily been associated with humanitarian works.
In six years since he returned to Liberia from the Diasporas, Dr. Cassell, who holds a Masters and a Doctoral (Ph.D.) in Health Psychology/Behavioral Medicine from the Northcentral University in Arizona, USA, has identified with several Liberians with assorted food items such as community projects, health toolkits, and so forth in various impoverished communities across the Liberian nation.
A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Pennsylvania and a Licensed Drugs and Alcohol Counselor in New Jersey, Cassell, who is also the political leader of one of Liberia’s newest Political Parties, styled: People’s Liberation Party (PLP), on February 26, 2021, formally dedicated three modern bridges in Larty-Tah and Cinta Statutory District in Margibi County amidst massive jubilations by thousands of citizens and residents.
Though the PLP First Partisan and Vision-Bearer expressed his interest in the Liberian presidency, his humanitarian efforts, by all accounts, remain on course.
Though large with several villages and towns comprising people of common homogeneous culture and tradition, the district is separated from one another by the geographical barriers of creeks and rivers, consequently hindering free movements of goods and services, especially during the current wet season in Liberia.
Before the construction and dedication of the three bridges, the citizens said, they found it more than challenging to travel from one area of the district to another as they had to use canoe or raft to cross the Twin Rivers at the entrance of a massive farm being operated by the famous Daniel E. Cassell Humanitarian Foundation.
But, as of now and onward, the risk of crossing the rivers in tiny canoes or raft will no more be a part of the experience of people in the Larty-Tah and Cintah Statutory District in Margibi County.
With the availability of the three bridges over the river, it takes only a vehicle, motorbike, feet to cross in a few seconds.
“It is a historic day for us in this district. I am doing a divine intervention of God Almighty because I do not lead myself, but He leads me. Wherever He says, I should go where I go, and the prophecy that development was about to come here has come to pass with the three bridges, and there are more to come,” Dr. Cassell declared at the dedication ceremony.
“We say giving back, but one gives back when someone has given him or her something. Liberia has not given me anything, perhaps besides being a bonafide citizen born here before traveling abroad, but I am giving back to Liberia and Liberians through the Dr. Daniel E. Cassell Humanitarian Foundation. We have been doing this since I returned to the Republic Liberia from the USA, six years ago,” he stressed.
The PLP Leader applauded the estimated 2,000 plus people who converged at the site to welcome him and witness the three bridges’ dedication.
Predicated upon his ambition to deliver Liberia from abject poverty, suffering, diseases, and economic stagnation, the renowned Liberian health expert noted that the country is being sadly exploited by ‘Greedy’ and ‘evil’ individuals and groups. They cannot promote any development for the betterment of all.
He suggested that without any political power, such politicians can do nothing to make positive impacts on the country and its people.
While Cassell is proactively involved with an increasing number of humanitarian works, he believes that taking on the helm of national leadership in the country will be more of an opportunity to impact all Liberians through equitable distribution of state resources positively.
He named opportunity for all of Liberia’s children to have better education, quality but affordable healthcare delivery services for all, road connectivity, national healing and reconciliation, and economic growth and development, as well as social justice and adherence to the rule of law.
Reacting to his consistent characterization by some PLP’s political opponents as “ATM Machine” at the well-attended occasion, the PLP political leader said, “Many people refer to me as a ‘Political ATM Machine,’ and I don’t know why they are doing this,” he told the gathering.
Cassell: “I worked for my money, and I got it purely without any bloodstains. People who killed and wasted the Liberian people’s blood to get wealth are all over here, but I did not kill anybody, and my hands are clean. Those who killed to get wealth died here dishonorably. I am not one of them, and my work goes beyond politics. I have come as directed by God, and we will make the necessary impacts on the Liberian people’s lives.”
Also speaking at the occasion, Mr. Tapple Doe, Vice Chairman for the PLP, recalled that people in the Larty-Tah and Cintah Statutory District have been suffering for years in crossing the area of the river.
He said as the date bridges dedication and moving forward, the people in the area will no longer encounter difficulties in traveling from one place to the other or with free movement of goods and services.
Mr. Doe said Dr. Cassell carried his people-center and impactful development projects to the area not because the residents had shown him some gestures that he is compelled to reciprocate but something he conceived and deemed expedient to do for them.
Mr. Doe puts the estimated costs of the three concrete bridges at not less than US$250,000.
The occasion attracted more than 2000 citizens and residents and representatives of various groups, including women, chiefs, elders, and students, and youth leaders.
The district elders welcomed Dr. Cassell and his entourage, using the traditional symbol of presenting three kola nuts.
They also presented a white rooster to the PLP Political Leader, affirming their wholehearted acceptance of the three bridges in which construction and formal dedication would make more positive impacts on the socio-economic conditions of residents.
The rooster also serves as a symbol of the people’s clear mind for Dr. Daniel E. Cassell and his newly established political party, the People’s Liberation Party (PLP).
The delighted citizens expressed their willingness and unwavering commitment to supporting the dreams and aspirations of Dr. Cassell, including his expressed desire to seek the coveted Liberian Presidency comes the 2023 general and presidential elections.
A female elder who made the formal presentation of the rooster to the PLP First partisan said in the Kpelle vernacular and subsequently interpreted said: “Dr. Cassell, we are seeing the many good works you are doing as evidenced by the three bridges you constructed to bring relief to us as the raining season is already at hand.
We voted for many people here, but they left after winning their positions, and now they have forgotten about us. However, 2023 is right in the corner, and when that year comes, you will know whether or not we appreciate all of what you are doing for us.”
Also making remarks at the occasion, the Statutory District Commissioner of Larty-Tah and Cintah, George S. Cooper, had not much to say except to pitifully beg the PLP political leader to extend his development activities to the District Commissioner’s compound by renovating the building there.
According to him, the compound is a public facility for which money is allotted in the national budget or the Margibi County Social Development Funds.
However, Commissioner Cooper did not say what happened to the funds previously allotted in the national budget for such initiative and how much has been allotted for the Commissioner’s compound renovation per the Margibi County Social Development Funds.
“Dr. Cassell, we beg you. We appreciate you so highly for the bridges you constructed. We are still facing other problems, and we will be happy if you can extend your development activities to our Commissioner’s compound to renovate it as the building has become so bad off,” Commissioner Cooper appealed.