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TEN DAYS: LIBERIA
 
MISSION

What if you could identify the brightest, most resilient young people displaced or orphaned by conflict, who have survived - and thrived - despite enormous odds?

What if you could bring them together in a sheltering space and help them heal, learn, and excel through exposure to maverick thinkers and mentors in areas as diverse as entrepreneurship, spirituality, technology, design, psychology - all focused on finding ways to dramatically improve the human condition through creativity, compassion, and innovation?

What if you could give them the tools, sanctuary, and encouragement to unfold and develop from their own unique blueprint into deeply authentic, connected human beings - with humility, openness, and an understanding of their place in the world as a part of the whole?

What if they used the power of their individual and collective strength to change their worlds - and through that, they changed the world for us all?

The Strongheart Fellowship Program is a groundbreaking healing and learning guidance program designed to help bright, resilient young people from extremely challenging circumstances around the globe develop into compassionate, innovative problem-solvers and leaders that can affect significant social change.

 

 

TEN DAYS...

TO CHANGE A LIFE.

TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE.

TO CHANGE THE WORLD.

 

TEN DAYS is a very hands-on, grassroots opportunity for our volunteers to spend 10 days on the ground in Africa, working directly with our Strongheart team. Trips are ongoing to Liberia, West Africa where we'll continue renovation work on Strongheart House.

It's an adventure of a lifetime and will stretch and challenge you in new ways - you'll never be the same once you've worked so hard for something so precious. I was terrified the first time I embarked on my own "service adventure" to Africa - but I was driven by my mission to do whatever it took to help, by the people I knew were counting on my commitment. It was scary, thrilling, moving, and ultimately life-changing.

I ultimately learned that though the need is great in Africa for certain things I can definitely help with, I needed Africa more than Africa needed me. It changed and touched me - creating a new me - new dimensions, strengths, and compassion for others - and for myself.

 

FUNDRAISING:

First - we'll fundraise. Each volunteer will be responsible for raising $1,000 and recruiting 10 people for a one year commitment to Circle of Mothers, our monthly support program. Additionally, your other expenses will be your airfare, visa and vaccinations if needed. We'll help you every step of the way get the information you need to fundraise. We've never had a volunteer not be able to raise all of their funds.  Once people hear that you're going to be personally overseeing where their donations are going - and doing hands-on work yourself - they open their hearts and contribute to your dream.

To make a tax-deductible donation in any amount to Ten Days click here:

 

FURTHER DETAILS:

SHOTS: You will need some shots and medicine to travel. We'll provide you with all the information you need and you can make the appointments yourself. Medical costs are not covered by us - you'll need to provide this yourself.

PASSPORT & VISA: We will help you through this process.

AIRFARE: We have a travel agent who will coordinate all our airfares and flight schedules.

TRAVEL MEDICAL INSURANCE: There are hospitals in Liberia and we also require everyone who travels with us to sign a waiver and buy a travel medical policy. The policies are available online, can be purchased in minutes, and are very reasonable. (Usually less than $100 for a ten day trip.)  However, this is a fairly strenuous trip and we ask that you be in good health to join us. You don't need to be able to do pull-ups but please be in good enough shape to scurry around and brandish a paint brush.

CREATURE COMFORTS: There will be some creatures. And not a lot of comforts. You will however have the comfort of knowing you're suffering through a little dirt, grunge, and some bugs to save the world.  In other words, if you're strictly a Ritz Carlton kinda person maybe you should just wish us well and skip this trip.

ABOUT LIBERIA:

If you just google Liberia, you're going to see a lot of articles about the war and the post-conflict situation. We've just undertaken two advance volunteer trips and both have been amazing. (One of our volunteers wants to petition the State Department to put up an announcement on the Embassy web page about how incredibly welcoming and friendly the people of Liberia are !)

If you’d like to read a few recent articles about the conditions in Liberia, click on these links:

 

HOW TO PARTICIPATE:

If you feel moved to join us in this incredible project or have further questions, please e-mail Strongheart Fellowship founder Cori Stern at coristern@strongheartfellowship.org.

If you'd like to help us but can't go on the trip, we still have LOTS to do! The next phase of work will involve decorating. Maybe you'd consider "adopting a room" with your friends and family - basically helping us plan a room and raise the supplies for that room. We'd LOVE to have you!

Additionally if you have a friend whom you’d like to recommend as a possible participant, please pass the word on.

View of Robertsport Beach

IMAGES OF LOVELY LIBERIA:

 

 

 

                     

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.                       Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

~ Margaret Mead

 

 

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