Determination Leads to Clinic in Liberia

Having survived Liberia’s civil war, three years of displacement, and many other hurdles, Anthony and Rose Kollie, two nurse practitioners, resolved that they would serve their community with much-needed medical services. But they couldn’t do it alone.

Partners Worldwide, which is recommended for support by the Christian Reformed Church, was able to help by partnering with LEAD, a community organization in Liberia, which provided training and loans enabling the Kollies to become “medical entrepreneurs.”

In the wake of Liberia’s ruinous years of civil war (1989-1996, 1999-2003), the Kollies, like thousands of Liberians, were wrenched from their home and became both displaced and jobless. They burned coal and made sugar cane during those years, a far cry from their roles as medical professionals.

Longing to get back to medicine, Rose Kollie and a family member bought various medicines and walked from six to eight hours a day selling to neighboring villages.

Exhausted by this risky venture, the Kollies were able to open a tiny space as a medicine shop.

“My wife and I brainstormed about what to name our business for two days,” said Kollie.

“We overcame many pitfalls as a result of the civil crisis in our country, but our family survived and so did our professions as nursing practitioners. For God to spare our lives while others died made us determined to live and serve others through medicine and business. We had high determination to achieve this and the name 'Determiner' was born.”

The Liberian couple opened the doors of Determiner Medical Store in April, 2006.

Their business grew, but they also saw the need from clients for increased medical services.

“Our community is far from the major public health facility,” said Anthony Kollie. “In view of this, community dwellers found it difficult to get to the (hospital or clinic) in case of emergency.”

A local clinic was desperately needed, but the Kollies did not know where the funds would come from.

“A friend told us about LEAD Inc., and that they give loans to business entities,” said Anthony Kollie.

Besides loans, LEAD―with the support of Partners Worldwide ―offers training and mentoring to communities. Partners Worldwide is a business-development ministry based in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Loans, training and mentoring from LEAD gave the Kollies the skills and wherewithal to grow their business. Their full-fledged clinic, which they named the Determiner Medical Clinic, provides affordable treatments and medicines to people so they can stay healthy and contribute to their own community.

“We are one big family,” Anthony Kollie said of their 14 employees. “Working at Determiner is a livelihood for them—it puts bread on their tables and provides support for their educational goals.”

The clinic and medicine store are a dream come true, fueled by determination from Anthony and Rose Kollie and training and capitol from Partners Worldwide's local partner, LEAD.

“We have a passion to serve and transform lives through healing and medicine,” Anthony Kollie said. “Adding business to the mix was an easy decision. We believe strongly that entrepreneurship is the fastest way to help people sustain their families.”