Asmi International’s history is unique because its development came directly out of collaboration with a community of Liberian refugees.
In 2006, Asmi’s Founders, Danielle Levanas and Prentice Onayemi, traveled to Ghana to work with a group of Liberian refugees living in Buduburam Refugee Camp. While there they met Alfred Kayee, and after the refugees repatriated to Liberia in 2008, Alfred formed an organization called LYDIA (Liberian Youth: Determination in Adversity). LYDIA helps former refugee children and teens reintegrate into Liberian society by offering after-school arts programs and providing small education scholarships to young women. Alfred reached out to Danielle and Prentice for programmatic and financial support. In response, LYDIA was able to establish a Youth House in Monrovia, which serves as a safe home base for teens to take part in enrichment programming.
In 2009, Danielle and Prentice saw the need for a formal US-based organization that empowers groups like LYDIA as they strive to bridge the gap between the end of relief-aid and the reestablishment of functional societies. Thus, Asmi International was formed.
