My Humanitarian Trip To Liberia 3

For the last three years I've served as a volunteer Coordinator for a non-profit organization called Save More Kids (SMK) whose purpose is to create opportunities for young people in Liberia by cultivating relationships with US businesses, philanthropists, schools, and individuals of good will.  Save More Kids' mission  is to sustain the development of urban, rural, underdeveloped communities and societies by cultivating young minds, empowering youth development and establishing sustainable resources that will give children an opportunity to lead a progressive future. .



 During the course of the last year, as a volunteer coordinator, I've  focused on fundraising and garnering  support for SMK's Impact Project , a unique model and a vision that provides immediate solution for solving everyday problems in Liberia and a long-term sustainable model targeting the generational crisis that have been crippling the progression of the future for millions of people. Our work focuses on issues such as: Economic Development, Women Health & Empowerment, Education, Youth Empowerment, Environmental Sustainability, Hunger & Poverty Alleviation which are ALL covered under our FIVE main initiatives:
 
1. SMK Christ’s Children Home Orphanage Initiative (CCH)- The Karmue family founded an orphanage home in Liberia in 2009 to rescue and provide a home to children abandoned, lost and orphaned during the Liberian Civil War. Today, this unique family of 44 children has been transformed into educated, vibrant, children of Liberia. Christ’s Children Home (CCH), is ranked as the top two orphanage home in the country. The children are being prepared to help lead their country. Throughout the course of the year we fundraise to provide food, shelter, clothing and basic necessities for the children at CCH.

2. SMK Relief Project : The SMK Relief Drive is an annual project that helps to provide one year of food to Christ’s Children Home and also provide relief to Liberians who are critically in need. During the summer of 2015, the SMK Relief Project was launched in cities across the United States to respond to the Ebola Crisis in Liberia. As a result of the SMK Relief Drive, more than 70,000 people were impacted with over 150,000 lbs of food collected.

3. SMK Education Initiative: We've developed a platform where, students across the world can work with our scholars in Liberia and together they can come up with innovative solutions to solving everyday problems in their communities as well as support the educational needs of our students at CCH Orphanage home and students around Liberia by providing them with school supplies, books, uniforms, tuition assistance, etc.

4. SMK Period Project: 
We launched The Period Project to provide monthly menstrual pads and care packages which includes hygienic supplies to girls living at CCH and surrounding communities in Liberia. In addition to providing hygienic products for women, we have created a safe haven where sensitive topics of women health can be discussed openly, leaving them feeling empowered.

5. SMK Natural Rubber Trees Initiative:
The rubber tree is one of the world’s most important crops. With 20,000,000 acres under cultivations, this tree is the original source of natural rubber. It is one of the few industrial raw materials produced with beneficial economic and ecological impact. The rubber tree has become a developmental tool for developing countries and a sustainable way to fight against deforestation and soil erosion, critical problems in tropical countries. It reduces human pressure in natural forests by supplying an excellent source of timber. It has remained the only tree capable of supplying natural rubber abundantly enough to support the world’s growing demand for the tire industry.  By planting SMK Natural Rubber Trees, we create an economic model that becomes the fuel for human development and establish realistic solutions for long-term impact!

The Impact...
• One Rubber Tree has a lifespan of 30-40 years
• One Rubber Tree will Impact 120 people in 30 years
• Our goal is to plant 125,000 Rubber Trees in the next 3 years
• 37,000 Trees already planted
• 125,000 Rubber Trees will impact 500,000 people every year 
 




After spending the last year raising awareness and funds for SMK's initiatives, I've started this campaign to raise funds to be one of the team members on the annual SMK Humanitarian Trip to Liberia in May 2017. On this trip we will help:
1.  distribute Relief supplies to CCH Orphanage Home and the surrounding communities around Liberia
2. Facilitate The Period Project Seminar: A one day seminar hosted at Christ’s Children Home expected to attract between 300-400 young women and youthful girls from the community to discuss sensitive hygienic issues that women and girls face everyday in Liberia and to also kick off the women empowerment micro-loan project. We will distribute menstrual pads, deodorant, ladies under garments to the girls and women
3.  Plant Rubber Trees:  the economic engine that will fund the master plan to build 15 empowerment Facilities - one in each county throughout Liberia
4. Out reach and Relief Distribution to VOA village whos lost over 300 families during the Ebola Crisis
5. Village Medical Outreach  to Garmu Village near the Guinea Border to distribute medication and provide high blood pressure checkups
5.  Hold a communty concert lead by musicians from the US in collaboration with local musicians-we will also  distribute much needed supplies at this community concert. 

 All funds raised for this campaign will go towards my:
Airfare
Lodging
Food
Transportation

A more detailed list/breakdown (my wish list) of how all funds will be used from this campaign  can be found to the right of this box under MY WISH LIST. Your support continues to be the reason we are able to do the work we do and it continues to main so much to me and I am forever grateful.




This work has become so near and dear to my heart and the sacrifices made to come on this incredible journey with SMK are truly worth it. I truly and whole heartily believe in becoming an agent of change, determined to deliver HOPE and transformation to many people dealing with uncontrollable life circumstances. Being one of the volunteers that’s a part amazing humanitarian delegation allows me to directly become a witness and experience firsthand how your support to SMK truly makes a difference in communities across Liberia. I thank you for your support and donations and prayers.

God Bless
Edwina M.






Ps If you can please spread the word to family and friends and those who you know that wouldnt mind supporting my efforts, I woud truly apreciate it.
xoxox