I recently returned from our ninth Philanthropy Insights trip in Liberia

Like many of the six UBS clients who joined me, I had never been to Liberia and didn’t know what to expect from a country that has suffered so much in recent years.

While poverty is always shocking in any form, as a father of four children – having found 20-minute late-night hospital drives too long – the reality of a 12 hour, one-way walk for pregnant mothers to give birth in a clinic, or have a pre-natal check-up is impossible to fathom.

Yet this is a significant improvement. Thanks to the work of Last Mile Health, one of UBS Optimus Foundation's key partners, in partnership with the Liberian Government, healthcare is at least reaching the most rural areas. Globally, these areas include almost one billion people who have no healthcare access. Children who might previously have died from diarrhea or malaria are now being treated by community health workers from their village. Often the most educated person in the village (in remote Liberia that could be someone who has completed primary school and can read), these community health workers are a life line – particularly for expectant mothers.

On visiting health clinics with We Care Solar, we saw first-hand not only how important giving birth in a clean, well-run health facility is, but also how something as simple as light can be the difference between life and death for both mother and baby. The contrast is stark between the searing Liberian daytime, when we were all longing for the air conditioned SUVs, and the pitch-black night. This is a country where the national grid barely extends outside the capital of Monrovia. As the majority of deliveries occur at night, the newly-installed solar suitcase – at a cost of just USD 2,000 – is an incredibly impactful way to save lives.

My wife and I 'invested' in one several years ago (and thanks to UBS's generous matching at the time, that funded two suitcases); to see them in action was one of the highlights of the trip for me.

Seeing the smile of joy on one our client's faces, as she witnessed Luminos – an education program she funded with USD 600,000 following a recommendation from UBS Optimus Foundation – was another delight. To see a 10 year old boy, who three months before couldn’t read, standing at the front of the classroom teaching his peers was truly inspirational, and the impact made all the more real when his mother explained what it could mean for her and her family. 

Ultimately, this is what our Philanthropy Insights trips are all about. Seeing real impact being delivered in some of the most difficult places; knowing that it's not only possible to help a few, but to change whole systems. Also, working with governments – in spite of ongoing corruption – is key to keep looking for new, more efficient and effective ways that philanthropists can collaborate. Only then can we continue to address the deep social and environmental issues the world is facing in a sustainable and scalable way.

This approach to collective impact requires relationships to be formed so people can work together. I can think of no better way to do this than by spending time in a beautiful, somewhat chaotic, and ultimately hopeful place like Liberia. We went out as 10 strangers, but after four intense days came back having built unique bonds of friendship. I have every confidence these will lead to some incredible collective philanthropy in the future.

Tom Hall, Executive Director, UBS Philanthropy Services

This article is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be relied upon as investment advice or the basis for making any investment decisions. The views and opinions expressed may not be those of UBS Financial Services Inc. UBS Financial Services Inc. does not verify and does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information presented.

The UBS Optimus Foundation is a grant-making foundation that helps UBS clients use their wealth to drive positive social change. The foundation selects programs that improve children's health, education and protection, ones that have the potential to be transformative, scalable and sustainable.

No affiliation, association, sponsorship or endorsement is suggested or implied by UBS to any person, entity, company or organization appearing, featured or mentioned in this article, although UBS may have or have had a relationship with, or may provide or have provided products and/or services to, certain persons, entities, companies and/or organizations mentioned herein.

UBS Financial Services Inc. is a subsidiary of UBS AG. Member FINRA/SIPC.