Here is the Press Release from the Office of the Vice President. I have chosen to leave it as is. What the PR man heard is not necessarily what we said in some cases, but overall it was a wonderful experience meeting the VP.

International foundation empowers Liberian women…

Vice president Joseph Boakai has commended the California based foundation for Women (FFW) for partnering with the Liberian Government to empower Liberian women.

He observed that by extending micro-loans to market women, the FFW was contributing in small measure to the Unity Party-led Government’s Poverty Reduction Strategy, otherwise known as ‘Lift Liberia’.

Vice President Boakai made the commendation over the weekend when an intern from the headquarters of the Foundation for Women, Andrew Hapke, who is in Liberia as guest of the Foundation for women, accompanied by the Foundation’s country Director, Emily Peal, paid a courtesy call on him in his Capitol Building Office.

He paid homage to the founder of the FFW, Deborah Lindholm whom he described as a true humanitarian. He said her foundation has transformed the lives of many women who had lost hope after losing everything, including their husbands during the conflict.

Earlier, Madam Peal disclosed plans by the foundation to increase its capacity to empower more Liberian women. She said the Foundation which has empowered over 500 women with micro-loans in Bong, Nimba, Grand Bassa, Montserrado and Margibi counties will, this month extend its micro-credit loan program to Lofa county.

Also briefing the Vice Preisdent, Mr. Hapke, a candidate for the MBA in Micro Credit, said he was in the country on a two-month tour duty. He said while in the country, he will help make the Foundation more effective to enable it reach more women.