It’s hard not to love your job when it constantly presents new challenges and adventures. Last month, FabFitFun sent me to Liberia to shadow the team of our Spring Box charity partner More Than Me.
From the second I landed, Liberia stole my heart. Each and every person I met, from the team at More Than Me to the students and staff, welcomed me with smiles and open arms.
Words cannot describe the impact this trip made on my life. Before arriving in Liberia, I had one quick call with Katie, the founder of MTM. She mentioned to me that her goal was to make me fall in love with Liberia, so that I would want to come back and help.
Well, it took a lot less that 72 hours to fall in love. To be honest, I fell in love with Liberia in the first hour when Katie picked me up from the airport and began to tell me her story and the story of the students I would meet the next few days.
Day 1: We visited one of the More Than Me schools to celebrate the opening of their first Health Station. Being one of the poorest countries in the world, health is a privilege for many, not a right. Many of the students even travel miles across crocodile infested waters just to come to school and even more pass away as a result of no access to basic health care. It was no wonder that the students and their parents’ faces were as bright as diamonds at the announcement that everyone would be able to receive regular checkups.
Day 2: We explored the slums of West Point, which is one of the largest slums in the world. I had the opportunity to speak with the students, meet their parents, and see where they live, eat, and sleep. The children and their families expressed their gratitude for More Than Me and their unwavering appreciation for the ability to attend a school that provides two hot meals, uniforms, and a top notch education for free. The young women spoke to me about their dreams of becoming doctors, lawyers, and teachers. They were articulate and bright!
Day 3: We attended the classes of several grade school children. I sat with the youngest of the More Than Me students and the oldest. Again, I was so taken aback by the way each woman held herself, communicated, and interacted both with me and the teachers. There was so much love in the air. The best of part of this days was handing out FabFitFun jump ropes to the girls and watching all of them play together. Even the teachers participated. My heart was so full.
This trip will forever be etched in my heart and I cannot wait to go back! I am forever changed, forever grateful.
xx, Reina
Click here to learn more about More Than Me, and don’t forget to follow @morethanmeorg on Instagram!
