We dreamed BIG for our first fundraising campaign! While we didn't hit our goal we learned a lot and are as excited as ever about sharing our message and bring assistance directly to the people who need it. We raised $4791 towards the post production of "Hope: Resilience in the face of war, poverty and Ebola" and are continuing our fundraising efforts. This film will help raise awareness and funds for our Liberian assistance programs. We invite you to donate or choose from several great gifts including handmade bracelets, Premium Microloan Blend Coffee and more. You can help by shopping right now. Check out our Shop.
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Thursday, July 7, 2016 Monrovia, Liberia
It is a very reflective time here in Liberia. The monsoon rains are heavy and the rainy season has just started; months more of rain to come. Nearly everyone I know is suffering from a cold or malaria or worse – the heavy rains caused dear friend Korto to have a motorbike accident. Transport is always an issue here; the rains make it an extreme challenge. The UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) officially turned over security in this country to the Liberian people on July 1. For the first time since peace came in 2003, Liberians are in charge of their own security. It is a tentative time. The Liberian security budget is US$90M/year, about one-fourth the UN’s previous annual security budget. Despite the budget allotment, the Liberian National Police guarding the hotel I call home have not been paid for three months. With an average salary of US$160/month, no pay for several months makes buying rice impossible. Friday, July 1, 2016 Monrovia, Liberia
This is a very historic day in Liberia. It has been 13 years since the UN Mission in Liberia UNMIL began operations to keep peace in this country after more than 14 years of senseless civil war that destroyed everything. Former President Charles Taylor has been convicted in the Hague of war crimes against humanity, and is pray-fully living out the rest of his life in custody. Peace has been in place here since the UN came in 2003. Yesterday UNMIL turned over security in this country to the Liberian government; it is a time of wonderment by everyone here… The monsoon rains are early and heavy now. The one and only road to and from the international airport is flooded and closed. As my dear friend and colleague, our FFWL COO David Beyan says, “There are no emergency services to help.” So true. It is a very tenuous time in Liberia in so many ways – the security change and President Ellen’s administration ending and politics for the next phase of government which will be determined in November 2017 and… Monday, June 27, 2016 Monrovia, Liberia I sent this message to dear friends in my US home of La Jolla tonight… I must share it with more than the few of them: Love from Liberia – OMG the energy here… Please read a commentary in my favorite paper here by Martin K N Kollie – “Letter to Malia and Sasha” who were here today in Liberia with their mother and grandmother for a few special hours: http://www.liberianobserver.com/ Hate crimes are up in the UK since the BREXIT vote by almost 60%. Globalization is a reality – fear vs love though is dominating everything, sadly… The markets are in crisis. And there is a man named Boris in the UK who looks and acts like Trump. Really? What the heck is happening to our human family – to our global love and caring for each other? It all is affecting people here in Liberia dearly. They are already so vulnerable – now what does this protectionism mean for the most vulnerable? My heart is breaking for those whose voices are heard… with love for all beings, Deborah Lindholm
“Faith is our assurance that there is a Divine plan of infinite love at work even in the most challenging moments, and that we are a part of that plan. Faith gives us the confidence to move ahead with vast visions in the face of enormous odds; it is an invitation to work in active partnership with the Divine in service of a better world.” - Women, Spirituality and Transformative Leadership Thursday, June 23, 20016 Monrovia, Liberia
I have been home in Liberia for more than a week now – and I can hardly remember what life is like in California… I have settled into my familiar routine here – quiet meditation and prayer time with my tea to begin the day in my space over-looking the sea, a wonderful workout in the “gym,” many “Good Morning Deborah”s as I enter the dining room for breakfast, for a made to order meal by James or to get yogurt to take to the room – and then off to the office… Driver Calvin is there for me every moment – driving me wherever I need to be and so protective. Our FFW Liberia team has grown into a truly professional force of talented Liberians, all of whom are totally committed to our work. It has been a decade now since I first came to Liberia… whoever would have thought… La Jolla, CA - FFW Founder & CEO Deborah Lindholm is headed to Liberia with school supplies and more to meet with Foundation for Women Liberia leaders about the microcredit and education programs currently active. "The purpose of this trip is to strengthen our partnership with Edify and to welcome Dean Paula Cordeiro from SOLES, School of Leadership and Education Sciences, at USD and her colleague. This is the fifth trip for SOLES to Liberia to train our school partners in the very best education practices." explains Lindholm from her home near the ocean.
La Jolla, CA - I am preparing to return to Liberia in a few days. I went to Costco yesterday and stocked up on much to bring with me – from toothbrushes and toothpaste to shoes and pants and dresses and swimsuits to electronics. Joy! If members of our human family in Liberia could have spent the time yesterday with me in Costco, they would have been completely overwhelmed. OMG the contrast between our realities…
Due to their skill and caring, the documentary HOPE is possible. Henry and Armah were my constant companions traveling throughout Monrovia conducting interviews at various difficult locations, capturing images of life on the streets and speaking to program participants, filming meetings, and chasing down a million details. Working long, chaotic hours they somehow managed to gather beautiful, high quality images and footage that we are now assembling into our documentary. They are dear and treasured members of our human family. Help us honor Henry and Armah's hard work by making this film a reality. Back our campaign on Kickstarter. Angela is an MD in a country with one doctor for every 72,000 people vs one for every 400 in America. She operates Benson Hospital in Monrovia, Liberia with her husband Dr Jimi Benson. Benson Hospital is the only health care facility in the country that did not close for even one minute during the Ebola crisis. Truly amazing! Back our campaign on Kickstarter. Foday drove an ambulance, helped hundreds of people and contracted the virus while holding a terrified sick young boy. Fortunately Foday survived - a miracle - thanks to God! He is an Ebola survivor and strong advocate for others who have lived through Ebola. If he looks familiar there’s a good reason, Foday was one of Time Magazine’s People of the Year. Back our campaign on Kickstarter. |
About the AuthorDeborah 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 Archives
November 2023
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