Jola House - Next Steps! (and witnessing war recovery)

Elfreda is in glasses and Himidie is in orange

Yesterday I had the pleasure of escorting WORLD ORT and Elfreda of Jola House to the local SPARK office at the University of Liberia. This outing was a whirlwind of learning!

SPARK

First it was so exciting to see NGO's (World ORT, based in the UK and SPARK based in Holland) collaborating to help the people of Liberia. Their work compliments each other. So while SPARK is building an entrepreneur incubator on the UL campus and will be able to coach Elfreda with a business plan, they will also be able to provide her with a small guaranteed loan. In addition they can provide her resources and coaching to secure additional investors and clients while giving her access to research and market analysis.

What was also exciting is that Richard, the Chief of Part for SPARK, Liberia hires Liberians. So it will some day be a self sustaining locally run and supported organization. And Himidie, seen in the photo, was a bright, savvy, young woman, who immediately assessed the situation and approved Elfreda immediately as above standard! So we were all so very excited. Next steps include a variety of forms and templates and then hands on coaching by Himidie. All this will take place by Wednesday next week!

What does this mean for Elfreda and Jola House:
1. She has the support she needs to feel affirmed and continue her mission.
2. She has the support of SPARK - to coach her business, build her business, and insure her sound financial success.
3. Gary and WORLD ORT are working to have Elfred create "trainers" of her work to go out into the bush counties and create small regional Jola House production centers. Giving Elfreda the leadership standing, and helping to supply her with "product."
4. She has me to help her as a colleague support system, Sales Training for her and her team, and marketing to help her build loyalty for her brand and her work right here in Liberia let alone abroad!

A very good day!

Himidie and Elfreda lunching at The Office

After the meeting Himidie and the SPARK team took us out to a local hot spot called The Office - serving local Liberian food in a trendy setting - it was a great "find."

The girls dormitory being refurbished.
The black canister is a water cistern to
which water is delivered by diesel truck.

Additionally, I learned about the war. Since the University is in the center of many government buildings, the university suffered during the Charles Taylor uprising. The building SPARK is residing is a bombed out girls dormitory that is just now being rebuilt. There are NO windows and each office has its own generator we walked up two flights of stairs using flashlights while workers all around us were "fixing" the building.

SPARK office - with no windows and three
office mates! Note how dark it is!

Amazing to witness the spirit of rebirth!

A worker repairing a cement wall - in the dark.