Written on
June 23rd, 2012
Returning to Africa for a TEM Lab in Liberia was a cathartic experience. In 2006, I embarked upon a trans-African overland expedition from Cairo to Cape Town. Through a now defunct overland outfitter, I joined a cast of characters more colorful than those in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, to venture across the continent. The journey was motivated by a selfish desire to explore the nuances of Africa’s linguistic, topographical and cultural diversity. I justified the hedonistic nature of the trip by telling myself that purchasing local crafts, food products and artisan goods, was contributing to the survival of small businesses and the development of African economies. While I was doing my part to help when I could, I always felt as though it was never enough. Somewhere along the “road” the people that I met and the stories that I heard transformed my life. I promised myself that the next time I returned to Africa would not be for touristic purposes, but rather to help a community as a volunteer or responsible entrepreneur. Fortunately, the TEM Lab provided the ideal opportunity to fulfill my promise. Over the last five weeks, my colleagues and I have researched sustainable investment opportunities and philanthropic initiatives while working to ensure the future growth trajectory of small and medium sized social enterprises.
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Written on
June 17th, 2012
Even with our hectic work schedule our team believes it’s important to have a healthy work/life balance so Sundays have been set aside as “no-work” days. What does Liberia have to offer on one day off? We have found several entertaining attractions:
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Written on
June 11th, 2012
After a busy morning, TEM Lab Liberia heads back out into the field…
2pm: The team splits up and departs for the day’s second set of simultaneous appointments. As is common, each meeting morphs into two when we’re introduced to people who stop by to say hello. It’s testament to the uniquely Liberian openness towards meeting any friend-of-a-friend that we’ve been able to pack in as many appointments as we have in only three weeks on the ground. Already, we’re running into people we’ve met nearly everywhere we go: The country is small and very close-knit!
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Written on
June 9th, 2012
Entrepreneurs, government employees, and investors alike all face common frustrations and challenges in their pursuit to help Liberia return to its former status as one of the most prosperous in Africa. In spite of these difficulties, people prevail and the rewards and laughter are great. In this two-part post, let us welcome you into a typically a-typical day for team TEM Lab Liberia.
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Written on
June 4th, 2012
You have to do something that feeds your soul. Period. The rest is just bonus.
-Elfreda Mason, Jola House
She was passion personified. This could be said about so many of the business people that we have met here in Liberia, including Elfreda quoted above. Here, we profile one businesswoman that particularly inspired us this week, Tina Kpan.
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Written on
May 26th, 2012
TEM lab Liberia got off to a running start soon after we stepped off of the plane and into the wall of humidity and heat of the tropics…Literally. The chaos of the baggage claim area resembled the buzz of the busy market downtown with workers jumping around and flinging bags while passengers of all types searched the narrow carousel and floors for their bags. Unfortunately, we did not find all of ours. All but one team member checked two bags, and for the four whose bags didn’t come, the missing luggage happened to have all of their clothes…so we headed off with one set of travel clothes and bags of soccer balls to begin our consulting engagement.
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