Liberian Skateboards

On a recent trip to Liberia, Foundation for Women Founder and CEO Deborah Lindholm happened to bring a couple of skateboards along. Lindholm’s foundation is dedicated to supporting women in poverty, and she’s always on the lookout for unexpected, entrepreneurial ideas — and soon enough, she was on a roll with skateboards.

Lindholm’s skateboards brought smiles to everyone she encountered. And in a nation devastated by a recent Ebola outbreak and brutal civil war, smiles are sometimes in short supply. Thrilled at the unexpected popularity of the skateboards, Lindholm made it her mission to bring some new fun to Liberia with the simplicity of a board and four wheels.

Upon returning to the States, Lindholm launched a partnership with a skateboard company in San Diego, and a pilot project with 50 skateboards in Liberia is already underway. This isn’t a half-pipe dream, and the awesomeness doesn’t stop there: The Foundation hopes the project will expand to include new possibilities for social businesses, business partnerships, and employment opportunities for the people of Liberia.

Awesome Without Borders is helping make this magic happen. This week’s grant will buy skateboards and protective skating gear for the children of Liberia. Interested? Follow the project’s progress on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.