Phil is in Liberia documenting the work of Foundation for Women (FFW), an organization that strives to continually support and encourage impoverished women, both globally and locally, by funding and creating microcredit programs. A longtime supporter of Phil and his work, Kevin Castner is traveling with him and reporting back to us from the field.

Curiosity of WTYSL

All the work of editing the 1 1/2 terabytes of images and video that Phil and Alicia, Sebastian and Philippa (of What Took You So Long) had taken was finally sculpted into a 24 minute film called ‘I Challenge Life’.  Sadly, the weather Gods and scheduling miscommunications prevented us from an outdoor premiere of our movie.  This morning we got permission from a local church and showed the film indoors. Unfortunately, of our girls, only Martha, Hawa and Asalyne were still local and available.  They were joined by the staff of Foundation For Women and 50-100 people from the local community.  I’m proud of the film and it conveys the messages we wanted: concentrate on your education, never give up on your dreams, and don’t compromise your long term future by taking short cuts.  The film gets a nice round of applause.

The Church Where 'I Challenge Life' Premiered

This last day of our trip is a time for sad good-byes and reflections.  I actually didn’t get a chance to say so long to Phil, succumbing to a bad cold and sore throat after his herculean labors.  One minute he was next to me, the next gone, on the way to the airport to pick up his next assistant.  They’ll stay in Monrovia for two more nights then take a UN helicopter east to rural Grand Gedeh.  I’ll probably see him next in Seattle in the USA.

'I Challenge Life' Showing!

The ‘What Took You So Long’ tribe have insinuated themselves into my heart and I’ll miss them all.  Even Alicia, who suffers from the same chronic disease that afflicts Phil.   As hammers see everything as nails, photographers see everything as images and videos that must be shot and reshot, that require different lenses, different light, etc.  If they weren’t so passionate (and the end results so compelling) they wouldn’t have any friends (or assistants!).  As it is, they are quite lovable, charming and fun to hang out with.  If they had as much fun with me as I have had with them, then we all had a good time.

I also said good-bye to Moses, our 13 year old camera assistant.  As a going away present I gave him a deck of cards and showed him a few ways to shuffle a deck.  A half hour later, while we were setting up for the film, I found him in the back of the church playing a game with Asalyne.  I asked him what it was called and he flashed a wide grin and said, “AK-47”.  How fitting.

Asalyne Browne and Moses Playing AK-47

I said good-bye to the folks at FFW, especially Emily Peal.  My opinion after three weeks is that Emily always had a big heart, but somehow since she came back to Liberia it has just continued to grow and grow.  I think she is one of the most wonderful, understated individuals I have ever met.

We dropped off Deborah at her terminal and then our constant guardian angel, Arthur Tamba, on loan to FFW from the Liberian Vice President’s security detail, gave me my last friendly good-bye.

We have a bonus post from Kevin for you next.  Check back to read his personal reflections about this experience.