“I feel to myself: I am a woman. I can stand among public and talk.”

“When the program start, I happy. The reason why: I not used to go among women. I used to be ashamed. When women would get together, they would call me, and I would say no. But now, they make me feel free. I can talk with my friend-woman. If they’re wrong, I say what they are doing wrong. … I feel to myself: I am a woman. I can stand among public and talk.“ – Woman Program Participant, MBB Liberia Initiative

Since 2007, Mediators Beyond Borders International (MBB) has been volunteering in Liberia to support ex-combatants and war-affected women to come home to their communities. Our role is to help victims and perpetrators deal with their trauma, rebuild trust and relationships between themselves and with their communities, and have the skills necessary to provide for their families.

In the coming year, at the request of a highly-experienced Liberian women’s peacebuilding organization, our team will partner with them to work with communities on both sides of the Liberian/Cote d’Ivoire border. Our partner highlighted this border as an area of particular interest because the deteriorating situation could have grave consequences on the sustained peace currently found in Liberia, yet very few organizations are willing to work along the border.

We are developing a project that will engage six communities identified as ‘hot spots’. We will work with these communities to develop their conflict-prevention capacities, early-warning systems, and strengthen the relationship between the communities and security/law enforcement forces operating in the area.

To do this, we need your help! We work hard to ensure every dollar contributed to our work has an impact beyond its intrinsic value. Your contribution will go far in making a difference in the lives of people who are often overlooked, but deserve our caring concern. Please donate by clicking here.