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Mineke Foundation was established in 2009 by Tonia Dabwe to continue the work initiated by her parents, Dabwe Wiah and Mineke Muilerman, who dedicated their lives to improving living conditions in Liberia.
Mineke Foundation is named after Mineke Muilerman, the Dutch mother of our founder, Tonia Dabwe.
In 1968, Mineke Muilerman and her Liberian husband, Dabwe Wiah, settled in an area near Monrovia, Liberia, to start an experimental farm and introduce modern organic agricultural methods. Their efforts led to the development of the surrounding community, which was later named Dabwe Town in recognition of their contributions.
Tragically, during the Liberian civil war that began in 1989 and ended in 2003, Mineke Muilerman was abducted in 1992 by rebels belonging to Charles Taylor’s NPFL. She remains missing to this day. In 2009, her daughter, Tonia Dabwe, established Mineke Foundation to continue her parents’ mission of community development and empowerment in Liberia.
Where does Mineke Foundation work?
Our office is in Dabwe Town. Dabwe Town is located in Gardnersville, Liberia, approximately 15 km from the capital city, Monrovia. Participants in our projects mainly come from Gardnersville, Barnersville, and Johnsonville. We also have participants that come from further away, including Paynesville.
Dabwe Town is named in honor of Dabwe Wiah, a Liberian agriculturalist and educator who, along with his Dutch wife Mineke Muilerman, made significant contributions to the community near Monrovia, Liberia. In 1968, they settled in the area, where they introduced modern agricultural practices and community development initiatives.
In 1982, they also founded Damiefa School to provide quality education to underprivileged children. The school did well and income from the school was used to bring running water and electricity to the area. They also built wooden bridges and gave microloans to local entrepreneurs.
Their efforts transformed the community, and in recognition of their impact, in 1989, the community’s leadership decided to name it community “Dabwe Town” to honor Dabwe Wiah’s dedication.
Mineke Foundation aims to empower disadvantaged individuals in Liberia by providing access to education, vocational training, and entrepreneurial opportunities, thereby fostering economic self-reliance and community development.
The foundation offers vocational training courses, business training and coaching, microloans, and educational programs for women and youth in Liberia. We also run a school, from nursery through Grade 9.
Through donation, volunteering, or sponsoring. Donations can be made via our website, and various remote volunteering opportunities are available. We also have various opportunities to sponsor projects.
YMineke Foundation is a fully registered and accredited national NGO and vocational training institute in Liberia. Our Damiefa School is also fully registered and accredited.
Our volunteer organisation is registered in the Netherlands as an ANBI (Algemeen Nut Beogende Instelling). This allows our supporters and donors to benefit from tax advantages.
We use your donations for our projects, including business training for women and youth, microloans, activities at Damiefa School and our Resource Center that has a small library, educational toys and a computer lab.
Will you help us create a safe, self-sufficient, and prosperous Liberia? Help Mineke Foundation make this dream a reality!
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