Marian Refuges

It was a long, rocky road until the idea of building Marian refuges worldwide became an inspired and realistic vision. My Mother was an orphan. The initial impulse dates back to 2002 when Florian Homm helped build one of the most successful public schools in Western Africa (https://www.ourschoolliberia.org/).

I had my first experiences with children from destitute backgrounds while studying in the United States. As a language teacher, I worked pro bono in an American maximum-security prison from 1979 to 1980. Many convicts had already been socially disadvantaged at a young age before they became criminal; be it by neglect, violence, sexual abuse or absent / imprisoned fathers or drug-addicted parents. Statistically it has been proven that children who grow up in children- or foster homes are on average four times more likely to become criminal than those raised in a healthier, more stable family environment.

Every adult should be aware that healthy family- and economic structures have an enormously positive influence on personal development. This privilege is usually not available to children in orphanages and children’s homes. We aim to completely reverse this trend by providing true care, love for orphans in a privileged working environment within a healthy natural setting.

In 2002 we built one of the best schools in Liberia. It was and still is at a high level of education and outperforms the best private schools in this country (Liberia Renaissance Education Complex (www.ourschoolliberia.org). Back then, shortly after the devastating civil war that reduced the population of this African state by a fifth, there was little hope among the population for any improvement. But an entire city was revitalized through this excellent school. The number of children who lost their parents in the war ran into the hundreds of thousands. My motivation in creating this school was based on empathy towards those who did not enjoy the privilege of being born with a silver spoon in their mouth. The least I wished to accomplish was to give these disadvantaged children a first-class education.

The former president of the country and Nobel Laureate, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, supported the project with her role as honorary president. Today it can be said without the slightest doubt that this school project is a huge success for Liberia. Unfortunately, in 2013, due to extradition detention in Italy, I was unable to continue to accompany the project. I am grateful that a generous sponsor took on the further development at the time and continues to do it today. While in extradition detention in Italy in 2013/2014, I had contact with criminals again, but this as an inmate and no longer as an educator. During this time, I was once again reminded that at least 80% of those convicted came from disastrous family- and economic backgrounds. More and more, my thoughts formed to be of assistance to those less privileged in society.

When I was released from the Italian prison system in 2014, I set about this task. It was largely unstructured and somewhat incoherent. It has been fine-tuned since then. Impulses from my colleagues at OLMOMS and my wife have had a strong influence and the vision which is now complete: The Marian refuges will be first class orphanages. They will not simply be a care center for abandoned children who are frequently passed on to foster families, but centers of love, faith, community, knowledge and success!

We also want to offer mentoring programs. This gives the children the chance to be supported by accomplished and caring individuals, who are well-disposed towards them during their education even after they graduate.

The aim of the OLMOMS is to create equal opportunities for the forgotten and unloved children of God. We want to turn the status quo social pyramid upside down by opening up enormous opportunities for those who have no chance and give them a Christian-inspired first-rate boarding school “Harvard upbringing”!

The OLMOMS members and their network have experts in the following areas:

E- Learning, Electronic Learning 

Architecture, construction, logistics

Medicine, Medical Skills, First Aid, Medicines

IT, web design, social media competence and reach

Corporate sponsorship

Experience in developing countries

Therapeutics

Project, building management and e cological, agricultural, nutritional

Building, developing, nurturing and maintaining Marian refuges worldwide is enormous task which requires tremendous funding. We invite you to support us, either as donors, volunteers, educators or mentors. Any donation helps irrespective of its size helps. What matters most is your goodwill and your willingness to help those who can achieve greatness and fulfillment in spite of having been raised on the darker side of life.

I thank you very much for your attention and your goodwill,

Your Florian

Your support and donations are massively appreciated. Sincerely,

Florian Homm and all OLMOMS members