Friends of Lumagnet Community and Resource Center
Friends of Lumagnet Institute (FOLI) is a Minnesota based nonprofit organization located in the Twin- Cities with an office in Brooklyn Center, address: Friends of Lumagnet Institute, Inc. 300 Bass Lake Rd, Brooklyn Center, MN 55427. Suite 304-B. FOLI is a Fiscal Sponsor of schools in Liberia. Liberia Educational Relief Service is a Liberian Nonprofit that works with FOLI to conduct some of its projects if there is a need. The Government of Liberia is knowledgeable about the work of FOLI over the years; as we have donated school materials including books, computers, printers and other needed materials to schools, and administrators in Monrovia and Gbarnga.
Presently, FOLI is considering expansion and a Liberian based program to run our program and projects locally in Liberia. The idea of FOLI Community and Resource Center comes as a means of addressing our many needs starting with one major project and a location via FOLI Community Center in Gbarnga, Liberia. This region is ideally located in the north-central of Liberia that connects many counties, people, and students in need. The FOLI Community and Resource Center will benefit Bong county and five other counties (Nimba, Ground-Bassa, Lofa, Gbapolo, and Magibie Counties). The estimated population in these areas is around 7000 or more people. The FOLI Community and Resource Center will mainly benefit the youth for our leadership development program, women and single mothers, victims of the Liberian civil war, young men and women that are victims of the Liberia civil war, and drugs-addicted people.
These books and computers from Books for Africa will be used to establish a library /resources center for the community and will be managed by FOLI local staff, Minnesota staff, and the Minnesota Board.
The program will also use Health Radio to educate the community on many topics including maternal-child, good hygiene, crime prevention, behavior therapy, and in other areas, including college prep, high school national exams prep, leadership development, small business management development. Farming and agriculture development program, financial management, etc…
FOLI is working to purchases an Interlocking Brick Machine that will help to cut down the construction cost. Also, FOLI is working to purchase a Water Filling Sealing Machine that will help in raising money locally to support the FOLI Community and Resource Center as a means of soliciting funds while the Board solicits grants on a larger scale. The overall program will be directed by the Board in Minnesota and managed by committees in Gbarnga, Liberia.
The FOLI Community and Resource Center will be built at the Easting Community of Gbarnga. This location connects five counties Nimba, Grand Bassa, Lofa, Gbapolu, and Margibi Counties. This community is developing because the sounding is located by the Grace Baptist Church Mission/Community College, the St. Martins Catholic high school and seminary, and other developments.
Sankolo Dolo will provide one acre of land for lease to FOLI in this community for the expansion program and projects.
Friends of Lumagnet Community and Resource Center Building Plan
The City Mayor of Gbarnga including the Traditional Leaders and Chiefs welcome the idea of FOLI Community and Resource Center in this new community of Gbarnga.