DEVELOPING TIMES: In Country-Liberia

Welcome

Mission Statement
Rural Empowerment Initiatives (REI) mission is to collaborate in the reduction of poverty through investment in rural areas and training of local people.

Vision Statement
REI's vision is to treat every created being with dignity, respect and love. We strive to work with those most in need by empowering people to recognize their God given talents, enabling them to make the world a better place and providing them hope for the future.

Our Principles
REI believes that all people are created equal.
REI will develop small to medium businesses (SMEs) as one approach to reach those most in need by creating jobs that build the economy in rural areas.
REI's partner businesses will be led, managed and majority owned by local people.
REI will always seek a triple bottom line of economic, spiritual and social transformation.
REI seeks to build sustainable community-oriented business models.
REI's focus of support is to the economically disadvantaged.
REI will seek attractive market and growth opportunities.
REI will incubate pilot projects with capable management.
REI believes in collaboration. We seek partners whose strengths complement our own in an effort to build well-rounded projects of lasting economic value for the communities in which we work.
REI is inspired by the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, and is therefore rooted in the Christian faith.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

In Country-Liberia

As I landed In Liberia on Thursday afternoon I was greeted with palm trees and a very beautiful landscape. Overhead on arrival, I was amazed on how ‘green’ it was. Most of my experience in Africa has been in the dry season in Senegal.
As soon as I got off the plane, I was also reminded that this country is coming out of a long bitter confusing war. UN planes and vehicles were everywhere around the airport. Most Americans, including myself were oblivious to what happen here for 13 years. The devastation here from the war I am sure runs very deep into the culture.
I was amazed at the airport. It was very clean and orderly. I had this picture painted of it in my mind, and it was nothing like I had expected. This country is rebounding with resiliency.
My first night for dinner we met with a local doctor at his house. Inside, although very small with electric run by a generator, we were warmly received. There were many laughs and introductions that night and I had a sense I was really going to enjoy getting to know this country.
The heat and humidity here are high. It’s taking some getting used to. I love warm weather, but the humidity here is one thing I could do less of .
The last two here in Monrovia have been full of meeting with Equip Liberia and LEAD Liberia. Two organizations that I am praying about to collaborate with in the future. I am so impressed with both.
LEAD Liberia is a NGO that is building up Liberia through small and medium enterprises. Training and access to capitol for Liberians to build their business is the heartbeat of this organization. Yesterday, at the national conference/Monrovia, we heard about customer satisfaction and the importance of it. The ambassador to Liberia from the US was the keynote speaker. Here she encouraged the Liberian small business owners to be honest and fight corruption.
Equip Liberia is working in rural communities and assisting in reestablish medical work. The work is around 80% in rural communities and is putting a good size dent in bringing back medical care for everyone.
Tomorrow we finally head out to the bush. I am excited to what God is doing out there and look to join Him in the work.