We are thrilled to announce that we are the winners of a grant from Awesome Without Borders. The funds are bringing much needed joy to Liberian children - many of whom have known nothing but warfare and Ebola.

From Awesome Without Borders:
With not much more than a board and four wheels, this nonprofit is skating into Liberia.
On a recent trip to Liberia, Foundation for Women Founder and CEO Deborah Lindholm happened to bring a couple of skateboards along. Lindholm’s foundation is dedicated to supporting women in poverty, and she’s always on the lookout for unexpected, entrepreneurial ideas — and soon enough, she was on a roll with skateboards. Lindholm’s skateboards brought smiles to everyone she encountered. And in a nation devastated by a recent Ebola outbreak and brutal civil war, smiles are sometimes in short supply. Thrilled at the unexpected popularity of the skateboards, Lindholm made it her mission to bring some new fun to Liberia with the simplicity of a board and four wheels.

Saturday, November 26, 2016 Monrovia, Liberia
 
Today is one of the dearest days of my life.  Today we the Foundation for Women celebrated 10 years of service to the people and country of Liberia.  Never in my wildest dreams…
 
We had a wonderful program at our new office with very special partners, clients, and friends – lots of special stories and lots of celebration – and so much thanks to God!  Joy!
 
Everything about today filled my heart with so much love and gratitude:

THE WORLD I BELIEVE IN HAPPENED TODAY
 
I sent out an end of the year appeal yesterday from here in Liberia.  I was astonished to learn over this last weekend that two families that I dearly love and have known for some time have not had food for a week.
 
Then this exchange with my banker and treasured friend Jennifer:
 
Deborah, 
 
I was laying in bed this morning at 4am and all I could think about was your Contrast email- no food in 2016.  How do you help people (whom we do love) around the world who don't have food to eat?  Sending love isn't enough.  Sending a box of food isn't enough.  Sending money isn't enough.  I guess that's all there is to do.  I read your email to Gretchen and we are compelled to help, and just not sure how.  Even though I feel like my resources are limited, I feel fortunate every day for what my family has.  I do want to help our human family.  Can you connect us with a family there?  It would be wonderful to begin a relationship and let people know we do care and we do want to help.  Is it even possible to send a box of goods?  
 
I am so grateful for you.  Please give our love to your Liberian family.  And Happy Thanksgiving to all.  
 
Love, 
Jennifer 

Saturday, November 19, 2016 Monrovia, Liberia
 
The contrast is just too much. 
 
I awoke today in a clean, dry bed with white sheets.  I know how most Liberians awoke today – on a mattress on the ground without sheets.  I spent my first hour today in prayer and meditation and reading treasured spiritual writings, and documenting this day in my ever present journal.  I know how most Liberians started their day – walking for water and starting to cook on the coal pot outside their home.  I went to the gym to exercise.  I know how Liberians stay fit – the reality of their lives keeps them fit.  I hosted many for a pizza lunch after working on the Skateboarding Liberia Project.  At the same time, I heard from two treasured Liberian friends today whose families have not had food for a week; “We eat to live Ma Deborah,” David said, yet he trusts God completely and is so full of gratitude.  I visited the home of Pastor Allison, one of my son Moses’ teachers, and witnessed Moses’ current living reality – he needs bed sheets and so much more, as does everyone in the home where he is now staying.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016 Monrovia, Liberia
 
It has been a week now since the election results.  The unbelievable happened.  The world is trying to accept a very surprising reality.  As am I…
 
I have a dear friend here in Liberia, Franklin.  He was the head of the crematorium during the unprecedented Ebola crisis.  Africans do not cremate their dead – they honor and dress and wash and hug and touch them; cremation is unheard of.  Ebola changed that.  Cremation began to contain the awful epidemic.  Once the crisis was over, those who ran the crematorium became outcasts, completely shunned by society here – even though they were heroes and helped to stop this unbelievable crisis.

Tuesday, November 8, 2016 US election night from here in Liberia…
 
I planned my trip to be home here tonight on purpose.  I wanted to witness and experience the energy and the results of this election outside of the US, to be part of our global human family’s reaction to this very important election.
 
Everyone here in Liberia is praying for Hillary.  They are confident.  They have no doubt.  Perhaps it is their wishful thinking…
 
I am keenly aware of me being here tonight speaking about us all being part of one global fabulous human family – and keenly aware of the hatred and divisiveness that America has brought to the global human family conversation.  I am choosing to believe that it is all part of a divine plan, that all the darkness had to be unearthed to come up to the light, all now ready healed.
 
And I am witnessing how the entire world is watching this moment in history.
 
As a student of A Course in Miracles, I have come to believe that every behavior comes from a place of love or fear – and that all coming from fear is a cry for help and healing.  Fear has been pervasive during this election – great crying for help and healing.  May this election contribute to the healing of all of us…
 
Watching and praying for the highest good of all beings…  with love from Africa,

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