In 2010 founding members Nancy Koppleman, Sandra Tyler and Connie Smith visited war torn Liberia through the Philanthropy Secretariat of Liberia.  They met with government officials, villagers, and NGO’s providing  the opportunity to see first hand the challenges the Liberian people face as the country recovers from devastating civil war ending 2003.

Schools, roads and infrastructure were destroyed and the economy disrupted.  The fabric of society was torn apart leaving many vulnerable.  There was a lack of clean water and sanitation, healthcare, education and jobs.  80% unemployment  resulted in extreme poverty with many earning only $1 a day.  

Two outstanding female leaders emerged to help rebuild peace and civil society, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Lemah Gbowee, both winners of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize.  President Sirleaf is the first democratically elected female president in Africa and recognized by Newsweek as One of the Top 10 World Leaders.

In late March 2014 Liberia suffered again with the Ebola outbreak.  Liberia had only 50 doctors to serve its population of 4.3 million.  The Liberian people and our grantees worked diligently to recover and today Liberia is Ebola free.