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.

As mentioned in my previous post, often microcredit is organized around “solidarity groups” or “village banks.”  Learn more about how these groups work on FFW’s site.  The leader of the next group we visit is a woman named Koruba Johnson.  In addition to the goals of the individual group members they also want to raise enough money to build a church.

Community at Church '72'

The partly built church, ’72’ is a dark shell of a building now, but the profits will drive completion.  I have heard and seen situations similar to this a couple of times now.  There is no construction financing, so people build as they can, a room at a time or whatever they have the cash to afford.  A thought creeps in that it is sad that they have so little and yet they are using a good deal of their profits to build a church.  But then I reflect that this church gives them hope and purpose and community.  Am I really so callus I would want to take that away from them?

Plus, when war came the public school system disintegrated.  The only functioning schools were provided by the various churches – Baptist, Methodist, Adventist, 7th day, etc.  Of course, they could only handle a fraction of Liberia’s displaced youth.  So, the illiteracy rate went through the roof.  Some semblance of a public school system is being contemplated, but for now only churches fill this vital role.

Charles, FFW’s Program Director, talks to the group/congregation.  He tells them that FFW respects them because they want to raise themselves up.  Then Emily, ‘Mommy’ is introduced and she reiterates the difference between FFW and other microcredit agencies; FFW is not just about loans, but also about training and support.  She introduces Deborah and Phil to rounds of ‘Jesus’ and singing.  Then the chief woman goes out and comes back with three live chickens and my heart goes into my feet.  I think they’re going to sacrifice them.  Phil says he thought the same as he has seen it before.  But in this case it is just a tradition where they give chickens to important guests.  Thankfully, I’m far too unimportant to rate a chicken!

FFW Founder Deborah and Emily 'Mommy' Peal Receiving Chickens

Phil interviews two of the women from the group while I run around – like a chicken – trying to remember all the stuff I need to help him ‘mic’ someone.  He has to find the right light, some place as quiet as possible while kids are running around and people are talking.  The two women we talk to have similar stories: they are poor; they were forced to give up school and work (in one case so a brother could go to school).  With the money from the loans they can earn enough to put their own kids into a church school.  Both are proud that all their kids are getting an education.

Kevin Helping Phil Interview Deddeh Goun

These women have various levels of education and articulation, but it is a mistake to equate that with intelligence.  With an FFW loan Deddeh, 32 with 3 kids, discusses how she can improve her profit margins in the little shop out of which she sells soft drinks, water and cement, by buying more in bulk.  She might not be able to read and write but she knows how to drive her P&L!

 Much more about Foundations for Women programs to come!