Eliminating Poverty Through Microcredit
The Foundation for Women is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit and registered non-government organization working to end poverty through microcredit programs.
MicrofinanceFor over 20 years, the Foundation for Women (FFW) has lifted families out of poverty through microcredit globally. Modeled on the Grameen-style micro-lending concept, FFW spearheaded the launch of microfinance in Liberia, bringing a new level of economic empowerment and independence to over 35,000 women since the program’s inception in 2006.
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EducationFFW works in partnership with Edify to provide loans to schools in Liberia. Since 2013, the program has helped over 250 schools and is growing steadily as a model of improving the quality of education. In the program’s first 5 years, we provided over $275,000 in loan capital to partner schools, reaching over 18,000 students with an improved educational experience.
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HealthcareLiberia’s healthcare system has been ravaged by decades of war and economic fragility. In a country of over 4.5 million people, with over 68% living below the poverty line, very few have access to health services. Responding to the urgent need, FFW launched a 3-pronged initiative in 2018 in an effort to build capacity in the private sector, where over 70% of Liberians seek care.
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News
Nearing the End of My Time Here Once Again
Monrovia, Liberia - As I am nearing the end of my time here once again, leaving next Monday to bring Moses to college in America, I am reflecting on the specialness of these two beings of light – and how “It’s a God-thing” as we all say here that we are connected.
Victor Frankl discusses in one of my most treasured books ever, Man’s Search for Meaning, “…human beings’ motive is not money or even happiness, but for meaning. We are driven above all to understand the purpose of our lives. Once that is understood even the most miserable conditions cannot upend inner peace.” Author/journalist David Brooks recently quoted a world-wide Gallop Poll survey saying, “that Liberia was the country where the most people felt a sense of meaning and purpose. This is not because life was necessarily sweeter in Liberia. On the contrary… In the turmoil of their lives, they are compelled to make fierce commitments to one another merely to survive. They are willing to risk their lives for one another. And these fierce commitments gave their lives a sense of meaning. That’s the paradox of privilege.”
As I now reflect on almost 13 years of being connected to Moses, I see his love and sense of service that is pervasive, despite at times horrific personal circumstances This photo shows who Moses is – love. He exudes it, especially with children and in service to others. For the last several days he has been helping a very dear and special friend, who is a most prominent national judge, navigate a very challenging issue because he has the computer skills to be of assistance. Love and service.
And Deborah – how honored I am to be her namesake. I recently passed her a small locally made purse I purchased from long-time friend Steven who sells small things on the beach in front of my home to support himself and his family. I put a special bracelet and US$5 inside the purse. Today I heard from her mom, friend Amelia: Deborah wanted me to take her to a supermarket yesterday. She bought 2 eggs, some butter and milk, bread, and strawberries. She took her items to the cashier as the Lebanese market owner surprisingly watched on. When she was told the total bill, Deborah reached into her new purse and paid, and then accepted her change. The owner and all were amazed. This morning she made us all breakfast – stirring the eggs and milk together, she then put the bread into the mixture, and then after putting butter into the frying pan, she put the egg-soaked bread in the pan to cook. She served us this with the strawberries. She explained that she has seen this online and wanted to try making something special for all of us. Deborah is 11. I explained to Amelia that Deborah had just made French toast, a common breakfast food, other than here in Africa. Deborah took her small purse money to delight her family, not for a personal something. Love and service.
Thanks you for believing in the work of the Foundation for Women for more than two decades now. You have helped birth Moses and Deborah, and so much more. With great love and appreciation, Deborah.
Monrovia, Liberia - As I am nearing the end of my time here once again, leaving next Monday to bring Moses to college in America, I am reflecting on the specialness of these two beings of light – and how “It’s a God-thing” as we all say here that we are connected.
Victor Frankl discusses in one of my most treasured books ever, Man’s Search for Meaning, “…human beings’ motive is not money or even happiness, but for meaning. We are driven above all to understand the purpose of our lives. Once that is understood even the most miserable conditions cannot upend inner peace.” Author/journalist David Brooks recently quoted a world-wide Gallop Poll survey saying, “that Liberia was the country where the most people felt a sense of meaning and purpose. This is not because life was necessarily sweeter in Liberia. On the contrary… In the turmoil of their lives, they are compelled to make fierce commitments to one another merely to survive. They are willing to risk their lives for one another. And these fierce commitments gave their lives a sense of meaning. That’s the paradox of privilege.”
As I now reflect on almost 13 years of being connected to Moses, I see his love and sense of service that is pervasive, despite at times horrific personal circumstances This photo shows who Moses is – love. He exudes it, especially with children and in service to others. For the last several days he has been helping a very dear and special friend, who is a most prominent national judge, navigate a very challenging issue because he has the computer skills to be of assistance. Love and service.
And Deborah – how honored I am to be her namesake. I recently passed her a small locally made purse I purchased from long-time friend Steven who sells small things on the beach in front of my home to support himself and his family. I put a special bracelet and US$5 inside the purse. Today I heard from her mom, friend Amelia: Deborah wanted me to take her to a supermarket yesterday. She bought 2 eggs, some butter and milk, bread, and strawberries. She took her items to the cashier as the Lebanese market owner surprisingly watched on. When she was told the total bill, Deborah reached into her new purse and paid, and then accepted her change. The owner and all were amazed. This morning she made us all breakfast – stirring the eggs and milk together, she then put the bread into the mixture, and then after putting butter into the frying pan, she put the egg-soaked bread in the pan to cook. She served us this with the strawberries. She explained that she has seen this online and wanted to try making something special for all of us. Deborah is 11. I explained to Amelia that Deborah had just made French toast, a common breakfast food, other than here in Africa. Deborah took her small purse money to delight her family, not for a personal something. Love and service.
Thanks you for believing in the work of the Foundation for Women for more than two decades now. You have helped birth Moses and Deborah, and so much more. With great love and appreciation, Deborah.
Moses is Going to College in America!
Monrovia, Liberia - A Moses is Going to College in America Celebration! Over thirty people gathered tonight, Moses’ biological family and chosen family, to celebrate him and his amazing accomplishment of having been accepted to ten universities in America. He has chosen Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania where he will study computer science. Read more.
Monrovia, Liberia - A Moses is Going to College in America Celebration! Over thirty people gathered tonight, Moses’ biological family and chosen family, to celebrate him and his amazing accomplishment of having been accepted to ten universities in America. He has chosen Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania where he will study computer science. Read more.
Something So Much Bigger
When I first graduated from college and then graduate school, I opted to teach for several years in return at the time for the cancellation of my accumulated college debt. Armed with an undergraduate degree in psychology and a master’s degree in education and counseling, I first went to work for Northwestern University’s Laboratory School in Evanston, IL in America. I had so wanted to take a post at an inner-city all black school on the south side of Chicago, but my father put his foot down with a firm NO – and for some reason I obeyed him. Looking back now, I wonder why…So, I went to the north side of Chicago to the largely affluent suburb of Evanston, which had an integrated population for many years, and economic extremes. My assignment was a special education class for “emotionally disturbed” children. OMG that label haunts me now. I had perhaps 10 students, primarily children of color. Despite big challenges, we loved each other as a family. Joy is my remembrance. Read more.
When I first graduated from college and then graduate school, I opted to teach for several years in return at the time for the cancellation of my accumulated college debt. Armed with an undergraduate degree in psychology and a master’s degree in education and counseling, I first went to work for Northwestern University’s Laboratory School in Evanston, IL in America. I had so wanted to take a post at an inner-city all black school on the south side of Chicago, but my father put his foot down with a firm NO – and for some reason I obeyed him. Looking back now, I wonder why…So, I went to the north side of Chicago to the largely affluent suburb of Evanston, which had an integrated population for many years, and economic extremes. My assignment was a special education class for “emotionally disturbed” children. OMG that label haunts me now. I had perhaps 10 students, primarily children of color. Despite big challenges, we loved each other as a family. Joy is my remembrance. Read more.