The Why Behind the What

The question Chong and I often get asked is WHY? Why would a couple from IOWA take on a country-changing project, the Agape Empowerment Center in Liberia, West Africa. Well, let me give you a few reasons:

• We have been blessed throughout our lives - not rich or poor, but comfortable. It would be easy to do the retirement thing (you know, wear white linens, sit on the back of a boat, toast a chardonnay, and look at a sunset), but this seemed like a much higher call and purpose. And, in our respective faith journeys, it was important we listened to the call.

• We had a seed of love for Liberia planted in our hearts when we met our friend, Austina, in 2015. Austina was from Liberia and at that time was a single mom with two children. Fast forward and her now family of seven is part of our family.
  

• We had the opportunity to visit Liberia in 2022 and visit a very modest school and orphanage as part of that visit.
  

• Having responsibility at that time for vetting mission partners all over the globe for a large church, one that provides support for more than 50 local, national and international partners, we were convinced that if we reimagined some global organizations we looked at and wrapped appropriate structure around them, we could attract investors and provide a positive change to Liberia.
  

• We thought our business experience (I was a Fortune 500 executive and my wife created a small business platform that grew to the largest in our state) as well as my funding experience, would help us stay focused and assure prospective funders that every philanthropic dollar they invest would be used in an appropriate way.
  

• Having had the opportunity to visit with Liberian President Joseph Boakai, we were convinced the country was on an upward trajectory. Then, having the President of the country's senate, Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, arrange for the donation of 15+ acres of land in Grand Bassa County to build the dream campus, confirmed the welcoming attitude of government officials.

• We believe there are massive philanthropic resources around the globe (estimated $68 TRILLION transfer of wealth over the next several decades) and thought if we could tell the story of this country-changing venture, the donation dollars would follow.
  

• Getting pro bono work done to establish our 501c3, build our website and create our logo, etc., were examples of people being attracted to the story.
• When Curtis Dorley, who currently serves as the Deputy Minister for Research, Policy and Planning for the Liberia Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection joined us as our In Country Director, and Lawrence Tuah, a Master's candidate in Educational Administration at Cuttington University with incredible experience at great institutions like St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School, Mava-V Dukuly Arabic and English School System and Salima Academia and Preparatory School, we knew the academic dreams we had were possible.
• With construction costs on our campus falling between $2.5-3 million (see attached rendering), and an operating budget landing in the $500,000 range, we thought philanthropists would understand the incredible ROI we would provide on their donation dollar. Theoretically, throw in about a $5 million endowment and we're running a country-changing operation for decades.

I could go on, but you get it. Now if you like our story, please pass it along. We've found that as people learn about what we are doing, they tend to join in our effort.  Join us, won't you? Or, if know someone who should, tell them. 

As always, thank you for your support, interest and prayers. 

Grateful and blessed,

Dave