First Hand Account from Liberia Africa
In March, 2008, Anti-Body sent co-founder Tamara Johnston-McMahon to Liberia, Africa to start a fair trade cooperative. There Anti-Body will initially hire five Liberians to expel unrefined coconut oil, an ingredient that is used in large quantity in Anti-Body's natural, fair trade body-care line. This first trip was necessary to better understand Liberian culture, to meet and interview the cooperative's future employees, and to survey first-hand what the needs of the co-op require so that Anti-Body can provide solutions in concordance with fair trade principles. The following is Tamara's account:
I am eager to update you on my trip to Liberia, a land where people are truly suffering. This tropical country in West Africa is beautiful and reminds me somewhat of Togo, which I visited in 2006, but is far more devastated due to fifteen years of civil war. The war has ceased, however the land and its people are war torn. A five-minute conversation with any Liberian undoubtedly leads to a horrific war story in which he or she recounts horrible visions of rebels, machetes and starvation. Millions of displaced people live in or near the capital of Monrovia, the only city with hospitals, schools and the option for running water, most people can't afford. Grossly over crowded, sanitation has become a problem and leaves the city smelling like diesel and urine. Taxis are the main mode of transportation, each packed over capacity to limit the amount each passenger must pay for the car fair. Gas prices are reaching $5 dollars a gallon while most Liberians don't even make $1 a day. With over 85% of the population unemployed, the situation feels hopeless. To try and earn a few cents, families crowd the markets each trying to sell cassava root, a Liberian starch-staple with little nutrients, or pig knuckles. There is no room for supply and demand since everyone is selling the same commodity. With no jobs to sustain them, the need is great.
I met all five future Anti-Body employees while in Liberia. I interviewed them while my husband Jordan filmed and photographed them. Anna, Vera, Theresa, Francis and Isaiah--each a person of integrity and strength who have faced fears we only have nightmares about.
After gaining an understanding of Liberia, and I couldn't wait for my return home so we can start the fund-raising process to get our five-person team employed with a sustainable wage.
To assist in the fund-raising effort, Anti-Body has partnered with Ten Thousand Villages, Pasadena, and Burning Heart Films to raise $35,000 to fund the Liberian co-op. You can help by purchasing Anti-Body products or a DVD copy of "The Fair Trade" (2008) movie or by donating to Ten Thousand Villages, Pasadena. Together we can create sustainable lives for those living in unnecessary poverty. Thank you for your help, no contribution is too small!
CLICK HERE for more information and ways to donate.
