Concrete Success in Liberia When speaking with Isaiah (above), a Liberian entrepreneur, about his business, he doesn’t get very far in the discussion before he turns the focus to his faith. He emphasizes how God led him through troubled times in the past, like during Liberia’s civil war, how God is blessing him in his present business, and how he trusts that God will continue to bless his endeavors in the future. As a true entrepreneur, Isaiah can never have just one project going at a time. After starting a furniture business and seeing it get off its feet, Isaiah joined Partners Worldwide’s affiliate in Liberia, LEAD. Through LEAD Isaiah received assistance outlining a sound business plan and a loan for his second business, a cement block company. This is when Isaiah’s business really began to take off. With a loan from LEAD and a solid business plan, his business rapidly picked up speed. The cement block company identified a key need in Isaiah’s area. No other companies in the area use the proper cement block-making machines and because most construction projects in Liberia are built using cement blocks, he has positioned himself to secure large contracts with private investors and government building projects. Using the money from his loan to purchase a second block making machine, Isaiah was able to double the number of full-time employees when he received the largest contract in the area, and now manages over 30 employees with additional contract workers. Continued support from LEAD through mentoring and prayer has helped Isaiah manage the rapid expansion of his enterprises. On a personal level, his business growth has greatly improved the quality of life for Isaiah and his family. Isaiah built a beautiful house for his family, and he has been able to put all of his children and many of his relative’s children in school. Isaiah says that he prays for LEAD, for Partners Worldwide and is grateful for the businesspeople in North America who care about his business growth in Liberia. He prays for each of them, and for the continued partnership of Partners Worldwide in Liberia and other countries in Africa. Click here to support more entrepreneurs in Liberia as they grow their business and end poverty. Partners Worldwide Homepage