HOW completed Project Freetown, its first mission to Sierra Leone, in November 2009. Project Freetown had two goals: first, to successfully ship and distribute a container of donated goods to those in need, including orphans, the homeless, and single mothers. The second initiative undertaken was the Kidz Heart Art Program, an art therapy curriculum aimed at assisting children left orphaned by war and disease in emotional recovery- enabling healing and growth by equipping the children with a positive creative outlet. The Project Freetown team was comprised of four individuals, each of whom contributed their unique professional skill set to the project. Christian Pearce, Director/Founder of HOW, spearheaded the mission and managed the collection, transport, and distribution of goods to Sierra Leone. Nadine Hiemann, a special education art and theater professional, directed the Kidz Heart Art program. Kayana Sessoms, whose background is in nonprofit work- specifically, housing and employment programs for homeless, disabled, elderly and low income people- assisted Nadine with implementation of the Kidz Heart Art Program. Finally, Clayton Long , Videographer, documented the team’s journey into Sierra Leone.

 The foundation for the Project Freetown mission was established by a partnership with the All As One Orphanage. AAO provided an incredible service to HOW by agreeing to be the consignee for the container of goods, which consisted of 3891 pounds of used clothes, shoes, medical scrubs, bedding, toys, books, lotions, and art supplies, then temporarily storing the goods and finally acting as the distribution point for the shipment. The children at the orphanage were the first students welcomed into the Kidz Heart Art Program during this first initiative.

View Photo Gallery for photos from Project Freetown

Kids Heart Art ~ Therapeutic Art Program

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