West Africa Initiative

West Africa Initiative (WAI) in Liberia & Sierra Leone

The three programs supported by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) One Great Hour of Sharing offering (Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Presbyterian Hunger Program and the Presbyterian Self-Development of People Program) have been working collaboratively to assist in the reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in Liberia and Sierra Leone.  The program known as the West Africa Initiative was begun  in 2007 following years of civil war in the two nations by Presbyterian Disaster and Presbyterian Hunger and later included Self-Development of People.

Additional partners involved in this initiative are several U.S. denominations, including the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), the United Church of Christ (UCC), and the Disciples of Christ, and ecumenical partners in Liberia and Sierra Leone. The primary goals of the WAI are to:

• improve the food security and economic status of individuals, families and communities,
• develop and strengthen community-based organization,
• develop the technical and management capabilities of the Councils of Churches.

 Agricultural Mission was identified as the U.S. partner to provide training for the food-production initiative.  The map below shows were WAI is active.

WAI projects in Sierra Leone and Liberia have been actively engaged in responding to the current Ebola crisis.