REPORT OF VISIT TO CONCERNED WOMEN FOR PROGRESS 4 LIBERIA by Women4Resources, Trustees, Nonn Vaughan and Jennifer Twelvetrees, MARCH 13TH - 27TH 2009

Purpose of visit

	To continue joint work on MD Goal 3, women’s empowerment and equality.
	To discuss and review progress of 2007/2009 training programme.
	To examine the progress towards achieving the goals of the Gold Star Partnership.
	To monitor and evaluate the financial systems of CWFP4L.
	To evaluate the quality control systems for the sewing project.
	To understand the lives of the women during the 14 year civil war and its impact on their present life in post conflict Liberia.

Outcomes

	Direct evidence provided by CWFP4L of graduates achieving economic and social empowerment through the training programme. Examples include having the confidence, skills and financial backing to establish a fabric business trading between Guinea and Liberia; taking the first steps in sewing competence by making their own school uniform.
	Agreeing with OXFAM, Liberia to join their network meetings that will enable CWFP4L to be part of a wider civil empowerment movement.
	Committing to be the “community eyes and ears “for monitoring free provision of two keys drugs to prevent maternal mortality, provided by Hope for Grace Kodindo Charity to the local ELWA Hospital.
	Memorandum of Understanding agreed between W4R, Swansea/SA1 and the Community Council, Rockhill, Paynesville and CWFP4L.
	Thorough audit of CWFP4L accounts resulted in a Not for Profit, women only bank account being opened by CWFP4L in Eco Bank, Liberia.
	Training programme undertaken by W4R treasurer for CWFP4L treasurer and committee to embed new accounting systems.
	Terms and conditions of membership of CWFP4L agreed and each member given an identity card and photo.
	Quality Control systems reviewed and new systems established for sewing project.
	Pump priming provided for a pilot scheme for 4 graduates of 2007-2009 training programme to expand their businesses using a simplified version of Micro Finance structure.
	Businesses agreed, after the women provided a business plan and costings, were Tailoring, Baking, Soap Making and expanding space and goods for a locally run shop.
	W4R undertook a radio interview on UNMIL in Monrovia highlighting work of the partnership.
	Discussed on United Nations Radio Programme (UNMIL) on Women’s Issues, W4R plans to support the Liberian Governments initiatives on Violence against Women.
	JT and NV learnt about the horrors of the 14 year war and the consequences for the women and children. Including the death of children and women, witnessing of deaths and violence, multiple rapes, sex slavery, child soldiers, becoming refugees and having to repeatedly flee from their homes .Discussed Truth and Reconciliation Work.

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