I was last here in 2014 with plans to return the following year to help lead a LemonAid Fund Women's Journey. Unfortunately, the Ebola Outbreak cancelled those plans. Now stepping off that plane and looking at the clear sky and smiling faces who greeted us, I was quickly reminded of all the reasons why I fell in love with this place years ago. Nancy and I were met at the airport by Ali (see photo) who helped arrange our transport (bus and then boat) to Freetown as well as outfit us with a local sim card and data/minutes. The tumult at the airport as we waited for tickets made me smile and want to pinch myself. I was finally back in a country that I had raised money for, collected books for (more about that later), read about, had life-changing experiences in and for now, most importantly, here to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the LemonAid Fund.
While I pride myself in knowing the work that Nancy has done over the years, yet each time I return here I am amazed at the magnitude of her achievements. She has been immersed in Sierra Leone for over 20 years, built relationships, supported projects, seen kids graduate, helped change policy and to quote her "helped people's dreams become a reality".
As I walked up the steps at the Dele-Peddle School (see pic) today I got that same emotional feeling as I did that first time. This was a dream that the Proprietress, Francess Browne, which became a reality with the help of LAF. It is now the number one school in Sierra Leone (by test scores) and the kids who attend are getting an incredible education. As I walked from room to room I saw kids ranging from ages 2-18 with their school uniforms on sitting attentively at their desks. The younger ones were packing up to go home and the older ones were working on their mid term exams. The feeling in the school is that learning is important. It's a place where kids learn academics but also learn life skills.
We spent hours planning for the February 22nd celebration but also for all the details for the arrival of the Reinhardt Family. Kathy Reinhart has been a friend of mine for over 30 years, had registered to go on the Sierra Leone Women's Journey and a supporter of the LAF. She is making the journey here with her twin sons, Quinn and Oliver. This is a fulfillment of a dream we have created together. Supporting dreams is what LemonAid Fund is about, along with making "Lemonade" in a sustainable way. They will see how sustainability and LAF go hand in hand. Stay tuned. Vicki
While I pride myself in knowing the work that Nancy has done over the years, yet each time I return here I am amazed at the magnitude of her achievements. She has been immersed in Sierra Leone for over 20 years, built relationships, supported projects, seen kids graduate, helped change policy and to quote her "helped people's dreams become a reality".
As I walked up the steps at the Dele-Peddle School (see pic) today I got that same emotional feeling as I did that first time. This was a dream that the Proprietress, Francess Browne, which became a reality with the help of LAF. It is now the number one school in Sierra Leone (by test scores) and the kids who attend are getting an incredible education. As I walked from room to room I saw kids ranging from ages 2-18 with their school uniforms on sitting attentively at their desks. The younger ones were packing up to go home and the older ones were working on their mid term exams. The feeling in the school is that learning is important. It's a place where kids learn academics but also learn life skills.
We spent hours planning for the February 22nd celebration but also for all the details for the arrival of the Reinhardt Family. Kathy Reinhart has been a friend of mine for over 30 years, had registered to go on the Sierra Leone Women's Journey and a supporter of the LAF. She is making the journey here with her twin sons, Quinn and Oliver. This is a fulfillment of a dream we have created together. Supporting dreams is what LemonAid Fund is about, along with making "Lemonade" in a sustainable way. They will see how sustainability and LAF go hand in hand. Stay tuned. Vicki
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