Off to LIberia

That's right, I am getting out from behind the computer and venturing off to Liberia.  I leave Saturday and land on my birthday.  I am going with the Eleos Foundation to learn about global development projects for possible investment by funders.  This trip came up suddenly and I am blessed and amazed to have been invited to go.

The trip is being hosted by the Liberian Philanthropy Secretariat which is within the Office of the President.  Liberia is the only country in Africa to have such an office and it is the first and only country in Africa to have a female head of state.

We will be visiting about 13 Liberian based NGO's.  The projects were selected from an overwhelming pool of applicants based on how well they represent Liberian's Poverty Reduction Strategy.  There will be about 12 of us from 7 different foundations/investors.  I am clearly the neophyte of the group.  The types of projects we will visit include:

• Education (pre-school, K-12, technology and culinary) 
• Environment and Energy (sustainable energy technology and ocean erosion)
• Small to Medium Enterprises (Microfinance projects, women's market fund, farming)
• Health (medical center and kids under 5 health program)
• Mining (mining association)
  

It looks like I will have access to internet  for some of the trip and hope to publish blog posts.  Stay tuned.