Good news from Liberia!! From this to this!

Fire disaster in July - Hospital rebuilt by October.  Thank you Foundation for Women friends and supporters! Your contributions and support help make this possible. We're so grateful for our FFW community!

Check out this article from the Daily Observer in Liberia about Benson Hospital and FFW partnering for community clinics and the fire :  
https://www.liberianobserver.com/news/ffw-partnering-with-benson-hospital-to-open-community-clinic/

The Founder and CEO of the Foundation for Women, Ms. Deborah Lindholm, upon learning of the fire that destroyed the top floor of the Benson Hospital, made a commitment to raise fund for the restoration work at the hospital. Today, she wants to make good on her commitment by presenting a check of Thirteen Thousands United States Dollars (US$13,000.00). In fact, this is the second donation towards this renovation exercise. Earlier this month, while the Benson's were in the United States, Deborah made an initial donation of US$7,000.00.
 
With this presentation of $13,000.00 today, the Foundation for Women is pleased to announce that US$20,000.00 in total has been raised and turned over to the Benson Hospital to be used for the renovation work at the Hospital.

One week ago, I was preparing to leave Liberia after being there for nearly four months to launch our third product, FFW Community Health Clinics.  We are assembling a Network of Excellence of health clinics surrounding a hub, Benson Hospital.  And we are launching our first clinic in one of our partner schools.  The Foundation for Women is now supporting microfinance for individuals, low fee independent schools, and now health clinics - creating a model of support for income generation for families, enhancing education, and raising the quality of healthcare. That morning a week ago, I received a call from one of our staff people saying, "Ma Deborah, I have terrible news - Benson Hospital is burning down!"  Complete disbelief and horror!

Monrovia, Liberia - Yesterday I was astonished to read a recent report listing the 10 worst countries on the planet for women and girls – some places of course yes, one big surprise!
 
After spending much of our Foundation for Women service in India beginning in the middle 1990’s, it is heart-breaking to see that India is the #1 worst place for women and girls.  Then come expected countries – Afghanistan, Syria, Somalia, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Yemen, Nigeria.  Then #10 completely astonished me – the United States of America!
 
I wonder how to explain this to the women and girls of Liberia, where 75% of the women in this country are raped; a statistic that began during the decades of war and has not diminished since peace came in 2003.  And where 80% of the population are living in dire poverty, particularly women and girls.
 
And what is happening in America that the US is in the company of these other countries on this list?
 
When are we going to realize that we are One Human Family and treat each other with dignity and respect and love?  We must hold that light, regardless of how challenging this current time is for women and girls.  And we must do something in whatever way we can to change this reality.
 
My gratefulness quote yesterday:  ​

Please see the report at http://poll2018.trust.org. ~ Deborah

I have been here more than two months now and am today reviewing my calendar since arriving.  It is not easy being in Liberia...  I focus on my gratitude list daily - and there is lots to celebrate, which is what keeps me here.  
 
The FFW Community Health Clinic Project is happening!  We funded the first 5 clinics this week; they all agreed to join our Network of Excellence in partnership with Benson Hospital.  There are 70+ community clinics in the area around Benson Hospital so we are just beginning.
 
As we are bringing together clinics for this first-ever Network of Excellence, we are preparing to open the first FFW Clinic in one of our partner schools.  Construction is underway at Henry Reeves Jr/Sr High School and is expected to be complete by the end of this month for our planned opening in July!  This is the result of a great collective impact approach involving FFW, Benson Hospital, Care 2 Communities, and one of our treasured school partners.  Together we are better!

​On this special day we want to officially announce the formation of the "Deborah & Florence Education Fund for Girls" which was birthed at the end of 2017 by a generous gift from long-time supporter and board member Janie Davis.  Janie has two grandsons for whom she is arranging funding for their education.  When we were together a few months ago, Janie expressed the desire to do something for girls as well as boys.  She provided the initial gift which the Foundation for Women matched - so we now have $2000 in the account which we hope will grow to fund not just post-high school education for Deborah and Florence, but for many, many girls.

​On this special day, I am inviting you to help us continue to offer microfinance and education support to women and girls by:

1. Making a contribution to the Deborah & Florence Educational Fund for Girls. You can do so instantly  online by scrolling down and clicking the yellow Donate button.
2. Acknowledging our Foundation for Women official birthday on April 23, 1998 - the day of our first public program - by making your annual 2018 gift now
3. Sharing this message with a few in your circle of friends who may not be aware of FFW and our work​.

Saturday, February 3, 2018 Monrovia, Liberia

After being here since mid-December, I was supposed to depart last evening for Brussels and then on to the US.  A mechanical problem cancelled the flight so I have an unexpected additional day here – to host a birthday party for my namesake Deborah who turns 10 on Tuesday.  Joy!

It has been an extraordinary time in Liberia!  I was here for the US Presidential Election and Inauguration.  I was here for the recent Liberia Presidential Election which concluded on December 26, 2017 and Inauguration last month.  Great uncertainty and tribalism on both sides of the Atlantic.  What is going on in the world?? 

Monday, January 15, 2018 Monrovia, Libera
 
On this memorable day celebrating the greatest civil rights hero in the world, my early morning reminder:
 
 
WORD FOR THE DAY
Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

 
And then a day, unlike any other…