L.A.C.E.S. is made up of teamwork, dedication, and hard work. But what keeps us going are the unexpected beautiful moments that stay in our hearts forever.
In our 2020 Behind the Scenes event, the three L.A.C.E.S. pioneers were asked what their most memorable moments were while working at L.A.C.E.S. Below is Seren, Founder and Executive Director of L.A.C.E.S, James Moore, Liberia National Director, and Pastor Roberts, Liberia Program Manager responses.
Seren –
It was around our 10 year anniversary. A child who had been in our program from the very beginning and was now living in the states, went to our website, found my phone number, and called me. I am so grateful I did not answer the call because I have a voice recording of it now and I can be reminded of it anytime. He told me “I just wanted to call to thank you for everything you did for me, I am a different person because of it, you changed my life. I wouldn’t be who I am today if it weren’t for L.A.C.E.S. so I just wanted to call to say Thank You.” How often do we get to hear the impact we had on someone’s life?
James –
When I first met Samson, he just walked to me and held me by my side and looked at me in the face and said “I’m hungry”- “I’m hungry”. So, I took some cash out and gave it to him to go buy some food and I knew that for just that moment it was only going to satisfy him. But how can I change his life? After years (with L.A.C.E.S.), I saw he totally transformed. He is no longer hungry, he comes to me with smiles. I asked him “How is it now?” He said “I have returned home, I have food now, and Thank God for L.A.C.E.S.” and I thought that was the most memorable moment ever.
Pastor Roberts –
I was on my way to the United States. That same day, the national soccer team of Liberia was also traveling. We got into the waiting room, waiting to process our tickets and everything when this player from the national team came up to me and said “hello Pastor Roberts.” I said, “Hi, how are you?” He said “Do you remember me?”
I said “Yes, this face looks familiar”. He said “Pastor Roberts, this is Sam Jackson, have you forgotten? I played for little Angels in the L.A.C.E.S. team in Matadi. And two things you stressed in L.A.C.E.S. league has really changed my life. You told me that in L.A.C.E.S. our life can change. So, I learned from you how to be a disciplined child and I also improved in my skills. Today, I am proud to be called a national team player.” Then he walked over to where his coach was and said “Coach, this is my real coach, Pastor Roberts. This is the man who taught me values that changed my life and taught me how to play the game well and now I am a national team player.” That day I felt so very proud in the airport.
L.A.C.E.S. could not impact children’s lives on the scale it does without your help.
Our work is and has always been a team effort between our staff, the children, and our amazing donors. Please consider continuing changing the lives of more children globally by donating at laces.org and joining us tomorrow at 12pm EST to hear more stories during our 2020 Behind the Scenes event.Join us Behind the Scenes
Missed the first day of going behind the scene? Check out the event recap on our YouTube Channel: