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Letters from Liberia: An apple and shelter from torrential rain this evening… I have both tonight and almost four million people do not.

11/6/2015

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Monrovia, Liberia - An apple – and shelter from torrential rain this evening… I have both tonight and almost four million people do not. I spent this day with our COO David visiting five of our Foundation for Women Liberia partner schools – joy! My masters degree in education and counseling is a life-time ago; at one time I dreamed of being a principal of a school. And now, here I am in Liberia standing up for the poorest of the poor, committed to help share the voices of those who are not heard. And helping low-fee independent school operators like those I visited today!
It was an extraordinary day of contrast and conversation. Our first stop was my namesake Deborah’s school and that of sister Florence and their cousins. I so love these girls – see FB for a photo! The proprietor is a successful business woman and dedicated educator of children for 18 years in this country – and now post-Ebola she thinks she no longer has an obligation to service her partnership with the Foundation for Women. “Ebola changed everything!” she explained. “Yes,” I agreed with her, “but not staying in conversation ends things in an even more awful way.”

After much conversation, Tete and I agreed to be “Family Forever!” I am committed and trust she is as well. I have a very vested interest in her and her school – my Liberian daughters attend, and I want them to attend until they graduate from high school.

From Deborah’s school, we went to several others; OMG the good and the bad. I pray for the children of this nation every moment… we are passing this world to them… are we doing right by them?

I then offered to treat to Friday lunch at our offices as David and I were returning. My offer was received with indifference and question… “I want to treat everyone to Friday lunch,” I said to our program manager Charles. After almost a decade knowing Charles, my offer was what??? Finally I said, “I will buy lunch today!” That was understood. David then explained to me that I should say, “I buy food now!” Still so much to learn here in Liberia…

Tonight, I am sitting outside my living space, after a huge rainstorm, eating an apple and knowing I am going to rest in a dry bed… The FFWL team here today told me that an apple is too expensive for them, nearly 25 cents each, so instead they eat bread and rice. The meal/sandwich and soft drink I provided each of them cost me about $3.00/p/p – way beyond their ability to enjoy, and so not healthy fruits and vegetables but what they wanted – and will be several meals as they closed up their packages after eating small-small.

The contrast. Here I am eating an apple and so grateful for a piece of crisp fruit, a rarity here, and about to have a dry bed. And what of all those I saw and was with today? What is their evening meal and bed like tonight?

There is a solution! Join us! Believe that we are one human family! Hold hands with us! Every moment we are at choice – www.foundationforwomen.org – please, may everyone have an apple and a dry bed.
​
With love and gratitude from Liberia, Deborah
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    Deborah Lindholm with Deborah in Liberia

    About the Author

    Deborah Lindhom is the Founder and CEO of the Foundation for Women. For over 20 years she has lived and worked in Africa, India and the United States on issues of poverty, education and microcredit. 
    "​Just a quick note to say how we appreciate all that you are doing in Liberia and wish we could do more to help. We enjoy reading your newsletters which are always so well written.
    All the best!" ~ Ian and Julie Allen,  Africa and Beyond Art Gallery 

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