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Enjoy this clip about new skateboarding programs at three schools in conjunction with the YMCA and the nonprofit SaveMoreKids.org.
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 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: "Correct with kindness and love but also with zeal and holy freedom. If you do not speak out, if you do not sound the alarm when it is needed, you will be justly convicted by your silence." 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:
Globally the world celebrates International Women's Day today. The Foundation for Women acknowledges today as it has for the last two decades. From India to Africa to San Diego to now Liberia, we have been blessed and honored to celebrate and support more than a million women and their families all over the globe. And there is so much more to come! It has been an amazing and blessed journey so far. As we embark on our third decade of service, we are committed more than ever to the knowing that we are indeed one human family, that we need to be present for and support each other. The Foundation for Women has been a bridge between those of us in the 20% of the population that share more than 90% of the wealth and the 20% of the population that shares less than 1% of the wealth. Please join with us today in standing with our global sisters.
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…
FFW Founder Deborah Lindholm and Board Member Janie Davis attended and networked with an international audience of women change-makers around a variety of critical issues. TEDWomen is a three-day conference about the power of women and girls to be creators and change-makers. The program of speakers, workshops, events — and daring discussions — has sparked some of TED's most iconic moments yet. TEDWomen brings together a global community of people interested in exploring how change begins: with innovative thinkers who catalyze ideas toward action. Read on for highlights!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT DEBORAH LINDHOLM (858) 483-0400 Download a PDF SAN DIEGO – The Foundation for Women, a San Diego-based non-profit working to end poverty through microfinance, has received funding for it's Liberian microcredit finance programs from the World Bank.  At 6am this morning, I had a conversation with our FFW Liberia COO David Beyan with tremendous news. After working with the World Bank and the Central Bank of Liberia forever it seems, yesterday funding to expand our microcredit portfolio was deposited into our account. Today there was a special program in recognition of this post-Ebola support and Foundation for Women Liberia was the star!!
Tuesday, November 28, 2017 Santa Fe, New Mexico
I am here at the home of a dear friend and long-time supporter and board member of the Foundation for Women, Janie Davis. Really fabulous! At 6AM this morning, I had a conversation with our FFW Liberia COO David Beyan with tremendous news. After working with the World Bank and the Central Bank of Liberia forever it seems, yesterday funding to expand our microcredit portfolio was deposited into our account. Today there was a special program in recognition of this post-Ebola support and Foundation for Women Liberia was the star!! In David’s own words: |
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.
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