Franciscan Works + Liberia Mission Inc.

Franciscan Works does terrific charitable work with its mission of education in Liberia. Donation help support poor students making them educated and independent adults.

Does amazing work helping the underserved of Liberia and helping to provide and education and residential living place. I have worked with them for many years and have had the privilege to visit the mission many times and I am lucky to be able to support such a great organization.

Franciscan at Work is a commendable ministry dedicated to supporting individuals in need. It embodies the principle that we are all called to love our neighbors, as taught by Jesus. As devoted servants of God, we strive to assist those who may not have a voice within their communities, fostering compassion and understanding.

FW/LMI is ~ 21 yrs old. I came into it as a financial supporter from its earliest years and as a board member the last 10 yrs or so. It has the following merits:
* Provides kids an education, food for those who need it, morals, loving guidance, a very strong child protection plan so that kids are without threats if they were to have anything to report. It teaches and mentors them to succeed, providing them a hand-up over years, not a hand-out over days.
* Top quality results in that 100% of the kids in 3rd, 6th, 9th grades pass the 4 nation West African Exam to measure their educational achievement. This even includes kids who came to Liberia Mission a few years ago ages 6-9 with no ability to even sign a name with an "X" or read a letter or recite the alphabet. Liberia Mission provided tutoring and mentoring for the kids with teachers and students, houseparents too. The results are amazing.
* Very low overhead in terms of American staff at Franciscan Works (1 full-time Director and 1 part-time office person with amazing ability, dedication and work ethic) so that donations are highly efficient at lifting people in Liberia, West Africa where Liberia Mission employs 53 native Liberians to educate 530 students from 3K to 10th on campus and support them University level and to house 30 long term orphaned children through their youth until independent as adults. They run the school, dorms, farm and piggery on a 25 acre plot. Infrastructure is constantly being improved (e.g., fence around dorms, new water tower, new wiring, new dorms were built the last year and many farm additions like fish pond and new crops and animals with lots of it funded by generous grants from family foundations that require detailed applications and found the mission highly worthy of help in the mission.)
* Liberia Mission Inc teaches morals and priorities, commitment and the value of hard work to each child so that they are highly skilled not just technically but morally and in character to improve the lives of those around them, not just themselves.
*And I love that the mission is growing in Liberia (recently added Pre-K and 10th grade on campus with plans to add 11th and 12th grades in the next couple of years). Fish pond added as mentioned. Many more new upgrades like a science lab. A new well-equipped Computer Lab just a couple years ago, etc.)
I have seen this all in working as a board member the last decade.
* Liberia is the 14th poorest nation in the world per the IMF due to a number of factors including 14 yrs of civil wars ending in 2003, Ebola Virus that mostly shut down the economy for a year in 2014-15 and of course not helped by the world-wide effects of COVID in 2000-2023.

I could not be more grateful for the upbeat resilience of the kids of Liberia Mission and for the resilient and can-do leaders in the guiding board here in the USA (Franciscan Works) that make this mission a beacon of light in the world of NGO's not advertised on TV.
Like a Super-Bowl winning team I see a lot of star players in the progress of the team over the years, both in Liberia(at Liberia Mission) and in America(in Franciscan Works).

I see the hand of God at work in FW/LMI every step of the way. To God be all the credit, glory and honor.

Franciscan Works + Liberia Mission Inc. holds a special place in my heart as a new board member of Franciscan Works. Not only does a crucial need in Liberia become served through Franciscan Works + Liberia Mission Inc., but all those who benefit from the program give back to their community and learn essential values and skillsets that will serve them for the rest of their lives. It is my hope as a board member, to help this great mission continue to grow and aid as many of the good people of Liberia as possible. As St. Francis of Assisi put it, “Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” May the good work of Franciscan Works + Liberia Mission Inc. bloom and spread throughout the whole world.

I am a recent donor and was impressed with the work being done by Franciscan Works + Liberia Mission. I received a letter from the child I sponsor making me feel like my donation was making a difference in their life. I will continue to support this organization for many years to come.

About thirteen or so years ago, one of our daughter's best friends spent one of her college summers volunteering at the Liberia Mission. I knew nothing about it but was extremely moved by her courage and calling at such a young age, and prayed for her safety while she was gone. Little did I know that as a result of that trip, she would eventually meet her future husband. Back at college, she heard he and his family had also spent time volunteering at Liberia Mission, so she invited him out for coffee, and the rest is history. They now have 5 beautiful children.

After hearing the details about her experience, my husband and I made the decision to inquire about how it all worked. The process was very simple, and we soon found out about a young girl from a family that needed help, living in a world filled with poverty, poor healthcare, and no way to get an education. We chose to sponsor her. And now we are sponsoring a second precious child!

The work that Liberia Mission does with the money given to sponsor a child is life-changing - for the child, her/his family, and for the sponsors. We get letters from them that include updates about their schoolwork, their dreams, the dorms they have built over the past few years, the piggery, soccer games, their Christmases at home and at the mission, their deep appreciation for our support, the daily prayers they say for us, their request for us to continue to pray for them, and their hopes to make us proud! What a wonderful opportunity to be able to reach across this wide world and know someone on the other side loves you and is praying for you!

I have been here now for 2 years, and things continue to improve. There are new structures, new procedures and ever-increasing amounts of joy and love here at Liberia Mission. I am very happy and proud to have been a part of the growth of this mission, and I pray it continues to prosper.

Franciscan Works Consistently puts out an excellent newsletter. It is thorough and informative. in addition I am kept abreast of my beneficiaries activities and progress.

Supporting Franciscan Works + Liberia Mission, with its motto "God, Work, Education," has been inspiring. Your dedication transforms lives by providing an education and a safe home for children in Liberia. Together, I know, we are making a positive, lasting impact on the children's future. Let's continue uplifting and empowering these young minds.

I was a donor for many, many years watching the kids at Liberia Mission grow from grade school thru high school and into college. Newsletters, and mailings directly from my sponsor child, kept me informed. When I retired, I became a volunteer. Now, with God's continuing Grace, the Mission is over 20 years old and still growing. Thank you to everyone who has Blessed Liberia Mission.

In it's 20 years of existence, Liberia Mission has grown from a refuge for 5 orphans to a residential mission for about 50 youth, a K-9 school for about 500 community children, a chapel for the neighborhood, and a working farm and piggery. It's goal is to help Liberians help themselves by developing faith, academic and vocational skills. It's motto is " God, Education, Work." In addition to helping youth, it employs Liberian adults as administrators, teachers, house parents and other workers, Thank you Liberia Mission!

I’m heartened by Franciscan Works in their dedication to changing the lives of children in Liberia. This is truly the planting of seeds that bear great fruit and become a testament to the power of God in our world. With strong roots that Franciscan Works + Liberia Mission have already established, I think that Liberia will enjoy manifold harvests of skills and leadership to help heal the scars of its recent past and elevate the poorest of the poor for generations while establishing a spiritual foundation guided by the infinite goodness of God.

I recently participated in the Fransican Works live stream for their 20th anniversary and I was so impressed with the work they are doing! The testimonies of the former students were powerful and I love that they are adding a class and play area for the younger students! I'm sure this early education will be very beneficial for the students to get a head start on their education. The fact that so many of the students aspire to a religious vocation is very telling of the good spiritual formation the kids are receiving! Well done, Franciscan Works + Liberia Mission!

I am very impressed with Franciscan Works + Liberia Mission. They are doing a great job helping those in need. I am confident my donations are going to a good cause.

Franciscan Works and Liberia Mission are doing great work for the poorest of the poor in Liberia. Empowering people with their pillars of God, education, and work creates opportunities for people to thrive.

Franciscan Works + Liberia Mission is making a difference in Africa! The students on the mission are benefiting financially, spiritually, and practically because of the generous support of donors and the hard work of many. Thank you to all those involved!

The courage, passion and tenacity it took for the founders of Liberia Mission to step into the chaos of post-war Liberia is a beautiful example of the Holy Spirit in action.
Twenty years on, the Spirit continues to work through our sponsors, benefactors, lay missioners, teachers and houseparents to bring the Gospel, Catholic education and life skills training to the poorest of the poor.
It wasn't easy in 2003 and it isn't easy today....but as St. Francis said....Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.
From a handful of orphans back then to serving over 450 Liberian youth today is a miracle.
God's work continues!
Happy 20th Anniversary from a former board member.

I have served on the FW Board since 2019, and it has been both an honor and a privilege to serve the Board and the children of Liberia Mission for the past four years. The Board is full of individuals of deep faith in the Lord's call for service, compassion and generosity. And, LMI is similarly run by Americans and Liberians looking to create a sense of home, joy and multi-faceted growth. God is good, all the time! And, that is the emblem we all work hard to manifest!

I am a first time missionary and I am so incredibly impressed with all I've seen! The organization is run by dedicated staff and volunteers who have made themselves available to and for me every single step of the way. They are responsive, respectful and as it would seem, good people. I am very glad I have the opportunity to help serve this non-profit and can not wait to see what else Fransiscan Works can do to serve God!

I recently joined the Franciscan Works + Liberia team, and they are truly a wonderful organization. The staff, board, and volunteers are dedicated to supporting the children of Liberia through their Christ-like generosity and presence. I'm grateful to join such a supportive team that empowers children in Liberia to flourish.

I volunteered at the mission in Liberia in 2016 and to this day, I continue to volunteer with the mission here in the states!

The children and youth of Liberia Mission are getting a wonderful education in academic and vocational skills. Even more importantly, they are so loved and joyful because they are putting God and His will for their lives first. The videos are fabulous/ heartwarming. My husband and I also know this firsthand because we spent 7 months as volunteers in the parent Franciscan mission

Franciscan Works + Liberia Mission supports a school and orphanage in Liberia whose graduates are rising to positions of responsibility in their society. The students not only demonstrate a solid academic foundation, but also a strong work ethic, moral compass, and practical skills. The overhead is virtually zero, so you can be assured that your financial support is going directly to aid the school/orphanage. In 2009 I visited the Liberia; it was impressive then, but the progress has been astounding. The students themselves have, through their 'sweat equity', made this transformation possible.

The impact of Franciscan Works and her outreach activities at Liberia Mission Inc. will forever be felt in Liberia and yea across the world where children receiving formation from the LMI will go tomorrow to serve. Some of the young students who have already received formation at the mission are now being further trained to give the necessary insight as to how to cater to the spiritual well-being of people in our communities. The high standard of education and skills training the young people get at the mission is remarkable; some of them who continued from the mission's school (St. Anthony of Padua) have completed their university studies and now working and putting their acquired skills at the service of the mission and humanity at large. This is so wonderful so see happening!

Donation and other forms of support to Franciscan Works surely will guarantee the continuous impact that is being made on our society by this great nonprofit organization. God's blessings upon everyone who works for the sustainability of the impactful spiritual, educational, and social undertakings of Franciscan Works + Liberia Mission Inc. Humanity, especially people in Liberia who have seen the activities of the mission carried out, will never forget to witness to them.

I have followed Franciscan Works + Liberia Mission for some years now. I took special interest in their piggery program when it first got started, which I thought was a unique way of teaching business practices to youngsters. They learned how to raise and eventually sell their pigs in the marketplace. It was a success. Recently, they have incorporated solar panels in their endeavor, which is both economical and forward thinking, to say nothing of being more environmentally friendly. This nonprofit really helps people !!

We have been donating to this wonderful organization for a number of years now. The services they provide are beyond incredible. They emphasize morals and values that everyone in the world should strive for: Godliness, responsibility, hard-work, charity, teamwork, thankfulness, graciousness. They provide education and skills that set up the students for lifelong success. They take in as many students as they can...they help the most needy. But the people at the Liberian Mission are not the only ones who benefit when someone donates to them. It is humbling that while I have many amenities/comforts here in the US, the staff and students at the Mission taught and continue to teach me the true meaning of life. When we first started donating, I wanted to help others. But with continued donations, I realized that Liberian Mission is actually helping me...it has been lifechanging. I have received so much through the examples and lives of the students. In summary, Liberian Mission's mission and program are necessary, lifesaving, successful, forward-thinking, and a joy to be a part of.

I have been involved in this organization for the past 17 years and have seen Liberia Mission grow and evolve in many ways. The spirituality - God - portion is ever apparent with the daily prayers, Masses, special celebrations, feast days and dramatizations. In addition, three young men have chosen to begin a journey to the priesthood. The school - Education - part is being expanded with computers, Science kits, and tutoring of younger children who have recently arrived and who have not had any other formal education. Work, the third area of concentration, is being expanded and improved. The farm is prospering with the help of University of Liberia Agriculture students; the Piggery has been improved with the addition of Solar Power, keeping the building cooled and working. Students are learning construction techniques with the help of professionals in planning the building of new housing units. Altogether, both girls and boys are being educated who would not have been learning many of these skills. Above all, God is foremost.

Great organization. They do so much for these kids to educate them so they can be self sufficient and help others to do the same.

I have visited Franciscan Works + Liberia Mission. When you are there you can see and feel the presence God. You see this in the students and staff. Amazing!

Review: I am glad to support the Mission in Liberia. I support a young woman and the Piggery. My niece from Ireland worked there several times and loved the mission. Since her death I am supporting with donations. It is a privilege.

How could you not give a nonprofit you have chosen to donate to five stars? In today's market ; we the doner need to perform due diligence on whom we choose to donate to. Too many clipsters and frauds or too much money going out for huge salaries. Not St. Francis. In the time we have been contributors to this humble but great cause we have witnessed them plow through one of the greatest plagues of our times, Eboli, while under full self imposed quarantine and survive that as a role model for the whole country as to how to handle this type of emergency without any casualties or break of quarantine. We also witnessed the mission work each year to become self sustaining through their "Piggery" program.The program no only included the raising of the animals, but the butchering and sale of the meat to further support their own efforts to stay solvent. While in that whole process they also discovered a problem with the viability of piglets due to a sickness. Through much digging into the cause they were able to discern the virus which was responsible and work with authorities to solve the problem which was affecting many other pig farmers in Africa. The next inspiring idea is ongoing. The plan to go from dormitory sleeping to group housing which the community members are fully invested in designing, building and finishing off these new quarters which will be much better for their growth and development. As you can tell..we are fans. We also plan to continue to support and encourage support from friends and family. How could we not.

Franciscan Works is an organization I can donate to with full trust that every dollar is being used well. Any donation not only helps the students, but also the school's support staff and their families who are usually hired directly from the local community.

Helen & I have been sponsoring a child at Liberia mission for years. It gives us great satisfaction helping these children get an education. Only an educated people will help Liberia over come poverty and economic stagnation. Franciscan Works and the Liberia Mission are on the right path to complete this work. This is a nonprofit who really helps people and its money well spent and gives you a great feeling. Martin Gallagher

For 15 years, Franciscan Works + Liberia Mission have provided education and faith formation to over 400 children. I am proud to support this mission, and hope that you will join me in doing God’s work in one of the poorest countries in the world.

Franciscan Works + Liberia Mission is an incredible charity focused on bringing education, faith, and work to the children of Liberia. I first got involved with the charity as a donor several years ago and am so glad that I did.

The amount of work done with such a small budget is inspiring. This is one charity you can donate to and know that your money will truly make a difference in a young person's life. As a sponsor, you will hear from those at the Mission that you are helping. Please consider giving to or volunteering with Franciscan Works/Liberia Mission, you will not regret it.

FW + LMI has served the country of Liberia through both faith and education for over 15 years. As a former volunteer and staff there for 3 years, I have experienced wonderful work done there by both benefactor and beneficiary. The local staff there (house parents, cooking staff and school staff) have been inspirational and I encourage a visit to anyone who has the opportunity.

Exceedingly well run charity. Strong spiritual foundation. Exceptionally well organized. Mission and purpose clearly defined. Media, communication, and updates appropriate in volume and content. Transparent financial information. A joy to see the children's smiling faces.

Liberia mission is a great place for kids, especially for children whose parents are not alive, and for some parents who don't have the ability to send their children to school. For the past 15 years, Liberia Mission has helped a lot of children to finish high school, which of course they never even had the thought of. Liberia Mission also helps in the direction of disciplining students, teaching them about God, education, and learning how to become self-sustaining individuals in future. Liberia Mission provides three meals a day for its students staying on campus, monitors their daily activities and behavior, provides health care for each of the students, and treats every student fairly, no matter how big or small you are.

Liberia Mission has done something no other Catholic Mission in Liberia has done. It is almost completely run by Liberians, for Liberians. The academic excellence and vocational/life skills training it gives to its students provide a well-rounded education and experience of life to all who are involved—be it employees or students.

Franciscan Works + Liberia Mission Inc., as depicted by the name of this nonprofit, is currently carrying out an outstanding missionary activity in Liberia, West Africa, with major focus on youth formation/basic formal education and vocational training. With the desire to see that young people in Liberia can have the opportunity to become more aware of the existence of God and gain formal education as well as vocational training skills, the last fifteen (15) years of missionary work in Liberia has brought about achievements that humanity in general can be proud of. Children who otherwise would have found it very difficult to access formal basic education and skills training in the fields of animal husbandry, carpentry, masonry, basic computer technology, etc are joyfully getting this support today in Liberia. It is an immense delight to experience children who have grown on the Mission over the years to have already started impacting their local communities of origin, and in few instances give back to the Mission in expanding its reach out to other less fortunate youths.

This mission focuses on education of the whole person. Their motto is “God, Work, and Education.” Only through education can we truly help people to lift themselves out to the pervasive poverty inflicting their country. I have visited Liberia and this mission. I have seen the poverty there and seen the good work being done by the mission.
Also, administrative costs are very low. Most of the money donated goes directly to help the people of Liberia, especially the children. The board members are all volunteers.

Spending time at Liberian Mission and talking with the students, I can see what a blessing the mission is in their lives. They have family, friends, and a secure place to spend their time learning and growing. Liberia Mission is more than just a school but a haven of peace for the children of Liberia to mature and become educated, active members of their society!

Liberia Mission is doing excellent work in Liberia. God is at the center as the day begins early in the morning with prayer (and throughout the day). St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School provides quality education in a country that is notorious for its under-performing schools. The work program (farm, piggery, etc.) provides the residential students with important trade skills and instills in them a good work ethic. Overall, Liberia Mission's motto of "God, Education, Work" is faithfully and 100% fulfilled daily by its students, staff, and missionaries. Great work!

This organization is doing very important work in Liberia. I first got to know Franciscan Works/Liberia Mission a little over a year ago, and have since met dozens of children who have been impacted by the organization. Children living at Liberia Mission receive a quality education, three meals per day, and religious formation.

I believe education is key to Liberia's development, and, thanks to Franciscan Works and its donors, Liberia Mission is giving that gift to youth in Liberia.

It is very difficult for Americans to effectively work with youth in another country where there often social, cultural, religious and language barriers. FW+LMI surmounts this difficulty by placing US staff on the ground, hiring local staff in all key positions, and creating a diverse board with entrepreneurial, social development, religious, education and different cultural backgrounds.

My wife and I decided to sponsor a student at the Liberia Mission in West Africa back in 2010 and received beautiful letters from the young lady for several years. I then chose to travel to Liberia to meet our sponsored student and volunteer in the mission school in 2012. I also wanted to check the the orphanage and school for myself- I stayed for two months.
I was impressed with the school and the orphanage staff, both Liberian and American, who worked long and hard for very little money. The school was the best educational institution in the area and a majority of the students came from the local villages.
Liberia Mission is doing good work on a low budget in a country that has experienced a lot of trauma in its recent history. I have continued to raise funds for Franciscan Works since returning to Colorado five years ago. I hope to return to Liberia next year to see our sponsored student graduate from the technical college that she is now attending with the financial support that the Liberia Mission provides.

We have been involved with Liberia Mission since 2011 and have truly enjoyed our connection with the children at the mission. It has been a joy to see the children’s love of learning & the gospel be fostered through the quality educational & spiritual opportunities provided at Liberia Mission.

I have been sponsoring a student at the mission who wants to be a medical doctor. Every time I get a report card or letter update, I see she is doing well in her studies and I am proud to be able to partner with her education.

As a donor, I have experienced first hand was an impact Franciscan Works has on the children of Liberia Mission. They serve over 500 students now offering an education to those who would not be able to attend school otherwise. I am proud to support their ongoing work in Liberia.

I went to Liberia 3 years ago. It was life altering. The kids live with so little yet have so much more.
It is common for interest to diminish in time after a trip like this but my interest increased because I see it working. The kids are given an education and some are now in college! Others learned skills and are now working! It's working! These are opportunities that they would not have had if it wasn't for the mission.

Franciscan Works -Liberia Mission has stolen my heart. Through friends, I learned of its values and listened to all of the stories of the children being raised in, and taught through, Christ's love. Many are orphans, others were welcomed because their families couldn't feed them. They are schooled at the Mission's St. Anthony of Padua school. Then they work on the farm learning to grow the food they eat. Others work in the Piggery, feeding and cleaning up after the pigs until slaughter. This continues on to the sales, teaching the business side of self-sufficiency.
The children at the Mission sing, dance, and pray together. Some have dreams of becoming doctors or engineers. My donations can make that happen. And until they grow up, I enjoy seeing the pictures of the smiles on their faces, and the hand written letters I receive from them. Franciscan Works -Liberia Mission acts as the portal to my heart. God Bless all the volunteers that work closely with these children.
--- Andrea Walsh, Palos Hills IL.

I love Franciscan Works! The accomplish so much with so little resources. Not only do they have a school and a church, they also have a farm. My favorite part of their program is "The Piggery" . The Piggery Blog is delightful!

Franciscan Works is a great nonprofit that approaches development in such a holistic way, incorporating both faith and education in their work. I'm proud to support this organization and their efforts in Liberia.

Over the past six months I have become familiar with Franciscan Works and the work that they are doing to support the children in Liberia. (https://www.franciscanworks.org/our-work/liberia-mission.aspx )

I have been impressed with their passion, their focus, their organizational skills and their ability to support the children.

Currently I am aware that they are working on their annual fundraiser, Harvest for Hope, Chicago (http://www.harvestforhopechicago.org/ ). The marketing and steps that have been taken, to this point, are truly amazing. Just look at the venue and the invitation to join them for a night of fun ( http://www.harvestforhopechicago.org/#!event-details/g92v0 ). There is excitement and from all that I have spoken to about the event, a desire to be a part of it and to contribute and to help the mission.

What a delight it is to see a not for profit thriving!

Peace and love.

If you have a sincere calling to volunteer at an amazing Mission then Liberia Mission, Inc. is the place to go. You have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of many who are the poorest of the poor. It is an environment that will leave you a changed person, but more importantly you will have the opportunity to change lives just by your presence. The students love volunteers and they love to learn about life in America. If you are interested in an real volunteer adventure I suggest that you contact the folks at Franciscan Works+Liberia Mission and they can help you help those in need.

I've had the opportunity to serve as both a volunteer and board member. I've been continuously inspired by the witness and spirit of all those involved as they seek to live with and for Christ.

I have spent a week in the Liberia Mission and the work is amazing. Teaching the children how to feed themselves by farming and livestock plus furthering their education is wonderful. The people who run the mission are selfless and dedicated. Some from the USA who have given up a cushy life for the good of the mission. Every American should see how these people live-- It will change their lives.

I spent 13 months in Liberia at Liberia Mission as the Bookkeeper. I was impressed with the diligence the organization was in assuring that funds donated to the organization were appropriately utilized to provide the children at the residential program as well as the school with what they needed to be successful. Focus was put on expanding the piggery and the farming programs. During the Ebola outbreak I remember thinking how blessed the Mission was to have a source of food for their residents when the ports were closed. It was due to the vision of the director and the support of Franciscan Works. The children of Liberia are truly the hope for that country and I feel those living at Liberia Mission will be the ones to make that a reality!!

As a former volunteer and a current donor, I have been involved with this organization for over 6 years. I have seen first-hand the impact they have on the children they serve - through a first-rate education, skill building (especially through agricultural and construction projects), developing youth leadership, and rooting everything in a deep faith that shapes life on the Mission campus. Because it is a small organization, donors feel a real personal connection to the people of the Mission. This makes being a part of the Franciscan Works community, through being a supporter, very unique and rewarding.

Our family has sponsored a child for over 10 years. We have been touched by the work that the team has accomplished at Liberia Mission. We have always been able to get up-to-date information from the team both in Liberia and Chicago. We have met many of the volunteers who have traveled to Liberia Mission and have been truly humbled by their stories of progress and improvement for the country and the Mission itself. Well worth joining this amazing organization.

If you are looking for a mission to go on - you found it. It has everything - everything that is good - spirituality, good people, and you can see the results of your efforts. The list is endless. I went on this mission in April 2013 and couldn't help but fall in love with the kids. The Board members are wonderful and it is fascinating to watch how they come up with new ways to help the children in so many different aspects of life. It is apparent that their faith guides them.

This organization may be small, but it is doing the job of a giant. The Mission is truly an oasis in the desert and provides the students with an opportunity that will follow them for the rest of their lives. With it's focus on God, Education and Work the program in Liberia provides the students with a moral compass based on the teachings of the Catholic Church, a solid education and work skills that will follow them all of their lives. It is an amazing place!!!!!

What a wonderful organization! Franciscan Works + Liberia Mission works so hard and diligently to educate and care for the children. They are doing an amazing job in the midst of the Ebola crisis!! Please visit www.franciscanworks.org to see firsthand this top-notch organization and the children it serves!

I cannot say enough good things about this organization. I have been personally involved with Franciscan Works for two years and know each and everyone on the board and all that is involved with the mission and can say this is truly the most spiritual and giving organization I have ever worked with. The mission is going through so many trials and heartaches with the Ebola virus all around it. All I can say is your donations are so appreciated and you can see exactly where the money is going. Please go to Franciscanworks.org to check out everything going on at the mission. The children will steal your heart.

Love and Blessings,
Judy Tureau

This organization is small enough to be very hands-on with the Mission in Liberia. Great contact with my sponsor student as he receives a faith-based education. Kudos to the whole team in Liberia as they battle Ebola. God bless!

When i arrived to Liberia Mission March of 2011, I was expecting shy children and some awkward first greetings. But what I received was entirely different. Bright smiles, big hugs, laughter, and a handwritten letter from Judy, a delightful teenage girl living at the Mission, greeted me at the front gates. "Welcome Home," she wrote. I will never forget those words as they best described my emotions that day and each day forward during my two-month stay at the Mission. I was Home - far from US soil, far from my family and friends - but Home at Liberia Mission where a Spirit of Family and Faithfulness have inspired me still. God Bless my brothers and sisters in Liberia, especially during these threatening times of Ebola virus. May God hold you in the palm of His hand. Amen.

Franciscan Works is taking the war torn children of Liberia and making them the next leaders of the country. From a desolate piece of land Franciscan Works has given thousands of children hope, the 400 serve now and in the past and the hundreds they will serve each year.

FW-LMI focuses on making the world better, one child at a time. It does this by providing a strong education, one that's Catholic Christian based. In doing so it helps the person
(1) achieve dignity,
(2) raise their family, village and country by their focus on helping others like Christ rather than working on their own selfish needs and
(3) as people of faith it gives them aid in working for the Kingdom of God. There is no pursuit that can be more fulfilling or more important.

In addition this is the commodity that the USA needs to export more than power and military might. If the entire world lived by the Golden Rule I believe everybody would be doing mission work in a form like FW-LMI. Who in poverty would not want to provide their children with an education to make their lives and that of their villages and country better in a lasting, growing, eternal way?

Franciscan Works - Liberia Mission is a wonderful organization helping 400 kids get an education in the very poorest part of the world, already devastated by 2 civil wars.

Franciscan Works is taking care of nearly 400 children in a fourth world country. The children are thriving, happy, and learning skills that will allow them to make their own way in their future.

Liberian Mission is a great organization that is making a difference in the lives of kids in Liberia. I visited the mission in July 2013, and I was touched by the work of the organization. The children are well taken care of, and the staffs are engage with the kids. Liberian Mission provides a safe environment for the kids while providing the students with quality education. The organization provides programs throughout the year, encouraging the students to thrive in their personal and spiritual life. The kids are reaching their full potential.

I just returned to LMI this year for a three month stay and had a wonderful time. It's great to see the progress and to see how well everyone is doing. I loved catching up with the children and staff. I was last there in 2011.

I volunteered at LMI for a little over three months. I hail from Dublin, Ireland so it was my first time going to Africa. What a treat! It was just how I imagined Africa to be! From my first moment meeting the staff of LMI I felt completely comfortable and at home. My experience was a little tough at the beginning b/c I was working at the school as a teacher and I had many challenges from students and administration. I left that after a month and half and I began working in the library! Throughout my time at LMI I always felt like I was doing God's work which made things worthwhile even when I had rough days. The children were all beautiful and definitely loved to challenge me but it was a growing experience! I would love to return to LMI for a longer period of time. The motto of LMI is God, Education, Work... a motto which LMI strives extremely hard to live by. It is a very good environment for the children to grow up in and provides them with amazing opportunities throughout and after their time at LMI. I am really blessed to have been a part of LMI and I look forward to returning!

I'm a 20-year-old college student studying social work. My first trip to Liberia Mission was in the summer of 2010. I was nervous, and I had no idea what to expect. As soon as I arrived, I felt at home. Everyone at the mission was kind-hearted and fun-loving. Each day I learned more and more about life in Liberia and the Mission's role in helping Liberians learn to help themselves. I have visited Liberia two more times since then, and I am hoping to return soon. My trip to Liberia Mission helped me to decide what I want to do with my future and how I can use my skills to help others. Everyone who works for and at the Mission spends their time helping those in need. If you want to experience a once in a lifetime opportunity, I suggest you visit Liberia Mission. It's amazing that just one visit will change your entire outlook on life.

I've volunteered with Franciscan Works for several months. Compared to other nonprofits I've volunteered with over the years Franciscan Works stands out due to the staffs full commitment and compassion to the children they are working to support and create sustainable options for that live thousands of miles away in West Africa. Staff know the children and their personalities, a connection that pushes them every day to search for new ways to engage sponsors and find long-term solutions for problems the children are forced to deal with on a daily basis in Liberia. Franciscan Works is great example of a small organization that is making a big impact on hundreds of children every day.

My family have been donors for almost 8 years to Liberia Mission which is run by Franciscan Works. We sponsor at child at the Mission and that child attends the Mission's school (a Catholic school with academic and spiritual guidance) and lives in the dorm. The level of engagement with our sponsor child is remarkable. We receive letters from him twice a year. We can email him - which the kids find very exciting - their email is going all the way to Liberia! When we have had questions, we have called the office in Chicago and have felt like family. This is a grass-roots organization who knows each child and has numerous contacts and visits to the Mission.

I volunteered for 9 months with this organization in Honduras. I also visited the mission in Liberia shooting a promotional video for the organization. Both experiences were very transformative. The kids I met in both countries were amazing. They were forever grateful for the help they received and had extraordinary character. There is no doubt that they will be leaders and in their respective countries. Please help this organization help more children.

My relationship with MHI started in 2008 when I volunteered at the mission in Honduras. It was an experience that opened my eyes to a whole new world. Since then I have been to Liberia Mission twice and had life-changing experiences both times. MHI does a great job of providing volunteers with an environment to serve, learn, grown and love the community built in Honduras and Liberia. MHI has impacted my life in the most positive way imaginable. It has allowed me to deepen my knowledge of what it means to be a global citizen as well as develop an understanding of what it means to truly live in and serve a community.

I was accepted as a year long volunteer for the mission in 2010 and was fortunate to be able to work with the kids, local community members, government officials, visiting board members, international donors, other NGOs, local and international clergy. Across the board individuals and groups were impressed and inspired by the opportunities the mission strives to provide for their students, workers, volunteers and visitors. The tangibles are easy to measure. The cost effective projects in Liberia, the number of vaccinations distributed, the number of children cared for, meals provided, classrooms built etc etc The intangibles, human dignity, solidarity between people from a multitude of places and backgrounds, stewardship of the land, the promotion of peace-- these are the things I worked for and why I am thankful to be part of Liberia MIssion.

Mission Honduras International has changed the lives of so many. I feel extremely honored to have been apart of this organization. In the summer of 2011, I had the opportunity to visit an orphanage in Liberia, Africa. From the start, they made me feel right at home. I enjoyed learning about life in Liberia. The kids at the mission were so open to talking about their backgrounds and personal experiences, that it made me feel close with each one of them. It was great being able to teach the children new things, but I believe I learned much more from them. Gaining this experience has changed my life and has given me a new appreciation. It was an experience I will never forget. I certainly hope to volunteer with Mission Honduras again in the future!

MHI / Franciscan Works is making a tangible and lasting impact on the lives of the children in residence at Liberia Mission as well as the surrounding communities.

I have volunteered at facilities supported by Mission Honduras International in Honduras for 5 years. I have participated in donation projects and sponsorship for 7 years. This organization is passionately committed to serving and educating children and have always been good stewards with donations. Through routine correspondence and newsletters i can watch my sponsored child and all of the children at their Liberia mission flourish under their care. They truly embody the spirit of St Francis in their mission to serve.

My experience with Mission Honduras International - Franciscan Works, has been outstanding. Their mission is to empower children in Liberia that have been affected by the war. These children have lost there parents or come from families that can't provide for them. The mission is providing shelter, food, education and stability in the life of more than 100 children. At the same time is a source of employment for more that 30 people, education for the children of the village and surrounding areas. The Children that live in the mission are very happy, you always see them smiling and they always have a hug or a complement for you. These children are full of life, they are receiving a chance an opportunity to better their lives. I am so thankful to the mission for giving me the opportunity to serve and to be part of this great organization. The children are always in my mind and my heart. I take them everywhere I go. The mission changed my life, the children change my life, and they have change many other lives.

Mission Honduras International has now changed its name to Franciscan Works, and hopefully the inspirations of St Francis of Assisi will give a guiding light. That light can come from the great empathy -- compassion of St Francis: Francis embraced the poor, embraced the leper; and ever after the ideal of naming any one and any thing as Brother-Sister has become a source of bonding and unity. That is the case with Franciscan Works, in its work in Liberia. The mission near Monrovia, Liberia, is called Liberia Mission Incorporated. The story is one of love. I have been there three times, usually around the month of January or February each year since 2010. Three times must be a charm, because when I arrived January 22, 2012, children of the mission were waiting for my arrival. I love them and they loved me. When I arrived, surrounded by over 100 children was an embrace of love, a hundred hugs all at once. So the embrace started with Francis has gone a llong way.

Mission Honduras International has a new name, Franciscan Works. The organization is by far one of the most efficient "hand-up" programs to help people in Africa live with the dignity God desires for all of us.

I served overseas with Mission Honduras for 6 years. I volunteered in Honduras, Central America and Liberia, Africa from 2004- 2010. What kept me motivated to continue my missionary life was the incredible children I worked and lived with as well as the people who worked behind the scenes of MHI. The most importnat commodity to have when running a mission, especially one that is in a different country and culture, is love and vision. Without question the people who run MHI on a daily basis are the most loved filled and visionary group on professionals I have ever worked with. The love, dedication and empathy the directors of MHI has for the children of Honduras and Liberia has been the most incredible experience of my life.

This is a wonderful worthy non profit that is a GREAT steward of its donations. We have sponsored children for years and look forward to the feedback we receive on a regular basis. My husband visited and volunteered in Liberia and it was a life changing experience and he is a seasoned volunteer to third world countries. The problem like other non profits is that the needs far exceed the donations.