L.A.C.E.S. Blog

L.A.C.E.S. fitness challenge

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The first annual fitness challenge was held in celebration of L.A.C.E.S. 8th year of changing children’s lives through sports.

What is the fitness challenge? L.A.C.E.S. leadership staff were challenged to do an exercise for every dollar raised. One dollar challenges the staff to do one exercise. Most importantly one dollar is one more child that we can reach per day. At the end of the week $1,610 was raised for the future leaders of Liberia.

On the first day , Seren kicked off #‎LACESChallenge with 470 Single-leg Squats. She did not have to do all of them alone some of our kids and coaches joined in. Seren committed  to complete all the exercise because she knew by completing all 470 exercises meant that 470 children will get a chance to be part of L.A.C.E.S.

“In 2006 I set-out to see if the world could be changed through sports. At that time it was an idea born from passion and a glimpse of what I saw happening on the field while playing professional soccer in post-civil war Liberia” — Seren Fryatt, founder L.A.C.E.S.  Watch this short video from Liberia:

https://vimeo.com/128185326

Second DayJames Moore did Push-ups.

James Moore was instrumental in the Ebola Awareness program. James gave a lot of his heart and soul to spread public health knowledge during our Ebola Awareness campaign. He continues to give of himself because it means more children of Liberia will be given the chance to lead healthy, happy and successful lives.  Even though he doesn’t love to do push ups, he loves impacting the lives of the youth in Liberia! Watch this video on James Moore, our National Director in Liberia.

“Push-ups is an exercise that I hate doing. It hurts my muscles so much and sometimes leaves behind unbearable pains but I chose to do it for the children of Liberia who went through months of trauma as a result of the Ebola virus that swept through the country and left behind many orphans. Some of these orphans will soon be joining the L.A.C.E.S. program and I will be so glad to work with them. For them I am doing this, and for them alone.” – James Moore

Third DayKristie did Squat Jumps

It’s Day 3 of the ‪#‎LACESChallenge‬! And its almost halfway to our goal of reaching 2000 youth. Kristie Suarez, our new Director of Operations is diving in with some jump-squats. Kristie received a very special and unique challenge from her husband who donated to ‪#‎LACESChallenge‬ and asked her to say “cawabunga” with each squat! She’s not afraid to shout it loud knowing that each squat means more children get mentoring, practice time, a meal and togetherness with their community. Watch her short video!

Stories from the field

Estranged from his family, Jerome left home when he was 9 and lived a life on the streets as a thief. L.A.C.E.S. not only helped reunite him with his family who had lost faith in him, but it impacted his whole outlook on life and transformed his behavior. “I never thought Jerome would change his ways but he proved me wrong. He now even helps around the house with work, something he never did before. Thank you for my grandson.”

Stories like these abound at L.A.C.E.S. because reaching more children and impacting their futures means so much. It’s incredible how much easier working out is when it means smiles from all our children! ‪#‎LACESChallenge‬

Fourth DAY – Pastor Roberts did Sit-ups

Before you say no to challenging a Pastor to do sit-ups… watch and listen to his plea.

 “The major reason why I loved to do the fundraiser is so we can be a channel for a child to be mentored and have fun.”  – Pastor Roberts, Program Manager of L.A.C.E.S

On the Fifth day of the challenge all four challengers joined together. Seren, Kristie, James and Pastor Roberts are on duty watch this video of all staff tagging each other in! ‪#‎teameffort‬

Liberia experienced a debilitating civil war which led to a generation of lost childhoods. Ten years later, Ebola struck and caused even more devastation. The courage of the children to survive and thrive in the face of so much loss and struggle is remarkable. In order to rebuild a country, you must start with the children. L.A.C.E.S. aim’s for a brighter future for children in Liberia
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