Robert Momolu and his wife, Teelah, are longtime Allentown residents and members of Jordan United Church of Christ, South Whitehall Township.

The couple, originally from Kakata, Liberia, are fulfilling their dream of helping others in their hometown.

In conjunction with Jordan's Mission Committee in 2009, the Momolus established Wipe the Tears, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit to build a school, medical clinic, and church in Kakata.

"We wanted to give hope to others in Kakata, especially to the children," said Robert Momolu, adding many donations to Wipe the Tears have been made by Jordan's members and there are missionaries in Kakata who work with Life Changers Church and Ministries, the church started by Wipe the Tears.

"But the children often didn't get a chance to go to school or receive medical attention, so we wanted to add the school and clinic."

Jordan Elementary School System, started by Wipe the Tears, was built with donations from Jordan UCC members.

The school educates children in grades one through six.

Robert Momolu and the Rev. Dr. David Charles Smith, Jordan's senior pastor, traveled to Liberia in March 2013 to make arrangements for the school and medical clinic and to meet with the missionaries and pastors of Life Changers Ministries.

Wipe the Tears also needs vehicles donated to the school and the church in Kakata.

"Public transportation in Kakata is limited," Teelah Momolu said. "Buses are often overcrowded and unsafe to travel on because people are standing in the aisle or fighting to get on. Many times, the buses don't arrive on time at the stops, if they even show up at all."

She said very few people have cars, so getting to a doctor's appointment or job interview is difficult.

A person needs to leave four to five hours ahead of time to ensure timely arrival.

"Also, the missionaries and kids will need the transportation to get to school and to community events or to work," Robert Momolu said. "The schools in Kakata don't provide buses like school districts in the U.S.

"It's common for people to walk long distances to go somewhere."

Wipe the Tears needs cars, trucks or 15- to 17-seat passenger vans donated by March 15 so they can be shipped in time for several Jordan members to travel to Liberia in May along with the Rev. Smith.

Robert Momolu says Liberia passed a law in December 2013 stating any vehicle donated to be imported must be a 2004 model or newer.

"If a donated vehicle is from 2003 or older, there are high import taxes and a 10-percent penalty fee that must be paid, which isn't the case with a car from 2004 until this year," Teelah Momolu said.

"I took an early retirement from Alpo/Nestle Purina this year and will be going to Kakata in April," Robert Momolu said. "We would like to have the cars already there, so we can pick up the volunteers from Jordan at the airport when they arrive in May."

Teelah, who works at Holy Family Manor, Bethlehem, will stay in Allentown to continue working and help with updating the congregation at Jordan while her husband and the team are in Kakata.

School supplies, Vacation Bible School materials, dresses and pants sewn by Jordan members, and medical supplies have already been donated. The vehicles will be used by the community in Kakata and the volunteers from Jordan in conjunction with Wipe the Tears.

"We want to allow the community to benefit from the generosity of others," Robert Momolu said. "I hope the community will be able to help us."

If you have a vehicle or other donation to make to Wipe the Tears, call Jordan UCC's office at 610-395-2218 or email church@jordanucc.org.

The office is open from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Or, leave a message on the answering machine after hours and your call will be returned.