Monrovia - My first business day in Liberia after the special wedding on Saturday and reunion with dear and special friends yesterday all day. Great joy! Our Foundation for Women Liberia management team met this morning, the first time we had gathered as a team since August of last year. Everyone had a chance to express themselves; I listened intently and my heart broke again and again. And my admiration for the team grew with each sharing. 2014 was beyond challenging for our work in Liberia – beginning with the dismissal of our founding director, financial reality after her dismissal, ebola, beyond awful situation with a temporary director after my departure, the surprising departure of our education loan officer Christmas week after receiving his bonus without a conversation. When I was present for these dear professionals I love and admire more than I can say, my heart burst with sadness and joy at the same time. They have survived; FFWL has survived – all the challenges and crisis of 2014. We all agreed – over – we are starting a new chapter now as survivors and so committed to Liberia and those we are blessed to serve!
Completely heart-warming and inspiring. I was honored and blessed to be part of this amazing conversation today. And so glad to know that the weekly Skype calls with the team from America these last many months helped sustain them – we all were with them thanks to technology. Such a gift for all of us.
Then today a planning session with my videographer team – an agreement – the birthing of a documentary film has begun. “Liberians for Liberia – their Story about Ebola and Beyond” is my working title tonight. It will be interesting to see how it evolves. We began filming following the structure given by dear friend Harry in Washington DC who has appeared as a major angel in this project. First FFWL Staff. Then epicenter of the ebola response at ELWA hospital. Resident of the campus, dear friend Siakor. Doctors, one from southern California and one from Liberia. The ETU – Ebola Treatment Unit – where just weeks ago so many were struggling to survive this unprecedented virus outbreak; today empty. Surreal. Last Thursday Liberia released the last ebola patient from an ETU. There are no cases of ebola in Liberia today. Miracle.
Program Manager Charles said it well in our meeting this morning. When Liberia realized this was an unprecedented crisis, they pulled together and did what needed to be done. Behaviors have completely changed; there is serious respect for ebola. It is not eradicated as Guinea and Sierra Leone still have cases, but it is respected and real and no longer in this dear country thanks to the diligence of the Liberian people. A miracle.
I washed my hands in bleach water so many times today; had my temperature taken as many times. I am thankful to be in an environment of so much respect and commitment. And so very glad to be home…
With love and gratitude for your support and caring for Liberia – please keep holding hands with our human family here – together we are making a major difference ~ Deborah
Then today a planning session with my videographer team – an agreement – the birthing of a documentary film has begun. “Liberians for Liberia – their Story about Ebola and Beyond” is my working title tonight. It will be interesting to see how it evolves. We began filming following the structure given by dear friend Harry in Washington DC who has appeared as a major angel in this project. First FFWL Staff. Then epicenter of the ebola response at ELWA hospital. Resident of the campus, dear friend Siakor. Doctors, one from southern California and one from Liberia. The ETU – Ebola Treatment Unit – where just weeks ago so many were struggling to survive this unprecedented virus outbreak; today empty. Surreal. Last Thursday Liberia released the last ebola patient from an ETU. There are no cases of ebola in Liberia today. Miracle.
Program Manager Charles said it well in our meeting this morning. When Liberia realized this was an unprecedented crisis, they pulled together and did what needed to be done. Behaviors have completely changed; there is serious respect for ebola. It is not eradicated as Guinea and Sierra Leone still have cases, but it is respected and real and no longer in this dear country thanks to the diligence of the Liberian people. A miracle.
I washed my hands in bleach water so many times today; had my temperature taken as many times. I am thankful to be in an environment of so much respect and commitment. And so very glad to be home…
With love and gratitude for your support and caring for Liberia – please keep holding hands with our human family here – together we are making a major difference ~ Deborah
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