Orientation in Monrovia

Arrived safe and well in Monrovia as did the bag. So what am I doing in Liberia? Within the Global YMCA, since 2006, we have been engaged in what we call the Global Operating Plan (GOP) and one of the key features is Movement Strengthening. This is where a group of people from across the YMCA Movement come together to carry out a diaognostic visit at the invitation of the National Movement, That group will consider how clear the Mission of that Movement is, are the programmes it delivers solially relevant and how sustainable is that National Movement. We in YMCA England have been considering how we might better engage with our colleagues in Africa, so when the invitation came in for YMCA England to join this group we were delighted to accept. Over the next few days a group made up of people from neigbouring African Movements, Canada, USA, Y are International and ourselves will meet with Board members and Staff of the YMCA In Liberia alongside the Secretary General of the African Alliance to consider the GOP in relation to The YMCA Movement in Liberia. Today I have engaged in some orientation visits and tours to begin to acquent myself with the Movement here. Harriet Knox, Africa Programme Manager with Y Care International and E Tim Kamabockai, Development Secretary for the YMCA in Monrovia have been extreemly helpful and thoughtful towards me.

I really hope I can catpure the work,passions and committment of all who are involved here over the next few days.