Our story
On March 4, 2017 Daniel, Emmanuel, Marc, Hawa, Jacob, Flomo, along with some other influential people decided to host a childrens program in Daniel’s village. We were surprised to see over 500 children and youth most of whom were underprivileged. We saw the need to help and give back to those who lack almost everything. Empowerment through quality education for the underprivileged was the idea being discussed. It took one year of praying and brainstorming on our vision and mission. Finally, we decided to establish an organization and call it Change for Liberian Children and Youth (CLCY) in the United States. On July 21, 2018 CLCY was launched in Liberia as a Liberian local charity with the focus on the children and youths of Liberia.
On March 16, 2019, CLCY was officially launched and established in the United States. And voluntary Board of Directors and staff nembers was also installed.
On March 16, 2019, CLCY was officially launched and established in the United States. And voluntary Board of Directors and staff nembers was also installed.
BIOGRAPHIES OF BOARD of Directors AND STAFF
Daniel's story
Change for Liberian Children and Youth (CLCY) Executive Director/Founder Barn Daniel Henderson is a Christ centered born again believer. He is married with four boys and one daughter. Growing up Daniel has always loved God and people and now he enjoys giving back to his people and country. He fled Liberia to the Ivory Coast due to a brutal civil war. As a refugee he did not lose hope but pursued his faith in Jesus Christ and education. He went through struggles but managed to attend three different refugee schools and graduated from high school. He later attended Kennedy King College in Chicago, Illinois and graduated in 2005 as an honor roll student with associates degree in Arts. While living in Chicago, he helped serve as a volunteer for Rainbow PUSH on the south side of Chicago to help youths facing drug abuse from 2003 to 2005. Having a grateful heart, he enlisted in the United States Navy in 2005. He was assigned in California for seven years total of which he spent 4 years on the USS Preble DDG 88. During this time his ship was deployed in the Persian Gulf for Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is currently assigned in Virginia with the Military Sealift Command. In each of his military commands, Daniel has worked closely with the chaplains to help pray and lead Bible studies for sailors and some marines.
Daniel has remembered his people and country, and his heart was quickened to help rebuild the broken walls of Liberia after 14 years of civil war and Ebola devastation. His first thought was to rebuild the house of God in Liberia. With much help and prayer, he did just that by raising approximately $60,000.00 that was needed for a new church edifice. Immediately upon completion of the church project, he constructed a guest house to host missionaries and volunteer workers from overseas. Daniel loves missions because he believes we have all been given one by God. He got to know the love of God through American missionaries in his village. "That seed of love did everything" and gave him a new perspective. Daniel loves everyone unconditionally and is a man of faith and compassion.
Daniel has remembered his people and country, and his heart was quickened to help rebuild the broken walls of Liberia after 14 years of civil war and Ebola devastation. His first thought was to rebuild the house of God in Liberia. With much help and prayer, he did just that by raising approximately $60,000.00 that was needed for a new church edifice. Immediately upon completion of the church project, he constructed a guest house to host missionaries and volunteer workers from overseas. Daniel loves missions because he believes we have all been given one by God. He got to know the love of God through American missionaries in his village. "That seed of love did everything" and gave him a new perspective. Daniel loves everyone unconditionally and is a man of faith and compassion.
Emmanuel's story
Emmanuel George Sapolucia, BSc, MLS (ASCP)cm
Sapolucia is Chairman Board of Directors/co-founder of Change for Liberian Children and Youth (CLCY) and a Medical Laboratory Scientist at the Harris Health System (2017-present). He is co-chair for the Laboratory Governance Committee at the Lyndon B Johnson Hospital Pathology Department, His passion for healthcare has always driven him to serve in medical settings and his love for his native country moved him to be the current president of CLCY. He is a loving husband and a proud father of three boys.
Emmanuel (known as E-man) was born in Baila, Bong County unto the union George C. Sapolucia and Nowai Lablah Sapolucia. Emmanuel started primary education at Samuel B. Cooper Elementary in Baila and continue at Brewersville Junior High (Annie Banks Williams High) School in Brewersville, Montserrado County, Liberia. He completed secondary education in 1998 at one of Liberia’s prestigious high schools of the 90s, Seventh - day Adventist high on 120 Camp-Johnson Road, Monrovia, Liberia.
Upon graduation, Emmanuel volunteered his service to his home-town in 1999 to tutor 9th grade students (7) of Samuel B. Cooper junior high school prepared for its first ever West African Examination Council (WAEC) exam. After two weeks of intensive camping under tedious conditions, we got 86% (6 passed) passing rate, this is considered excellent considering the lack of text books and study material besides the ones he took with him. He matriculated to the nations highest institution of learning, the University of Liberia in 1999 to study Biology (major) and Chemistry (minor) to prepare for his studies in medicine. Emmanuel was a founding member and Financial Secretary (1999-2003) of Baila Progressive Development Association (BPDA), a name he suggested and was adopted by the body, and Baila Progressive Development Association Financial Saving Club headed by Mr. Allen Wayakollie and a member of the Bong County Development Associated headed Mr. George Miller respectively. As an official and member of both associations we were instrumental in lobbying and delivering school supplies to Kpai District in Bong County in 2001 and lending micro-loan to Liberian businesses (2001-2002). Sapolucia also served as Vice President and Financial Secretary of the Freeport community Development Association (FCDA) 2001-2003 and 2000-2002 respectively. FCDA was a community based association of youths volunteering their time to clean the community and create awareness of proper sanitation services and engaging community leaders, Law makers and the government officials for support to provides tools and/or equipment. We initiated and started the widening of the drainage along the Somalia Drive in 2001.
A son of a classroom teacher, Sapolucia spent few years in the classroom and was first employed by one of his former teacher (Mr. Saydee) at the Samuel K Doe (12 Room) Elementary school where he taught Mathematics 1999-2001, 2001-2003 Sapolucia taught at the Garrison W. Gibson (G.W. Gibson) High school teaching Jr high (7th-9th grades) mathematics prior to his departure for the United States in late 2003.
Sapolucia began another journey that wouldl take him to 13 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, when he joined the United States Navy November 9, 2004, exactly one year in the United States. He quickly became recognized as a leader when he put together group of sailors in his division (First Division) known as the “United Nation (UN)” who he mentored through the ranks of the US Navy. He served in many capacities in the Navy to include: Supply Petit Officer (SPO), team leader (UN), CPR/BLS Instructor, Hospital Corpsman, Safe PO, Medical Laboratory Technician, coach and captain of Naval Branch Health Clinic New London etc., just to name a few. Sapolucia was awarded Navy Marine Achievement Medal, 2 Good Conduct Medals, Blue Jacket of the Quarter and many other awards.
Sapolucia is currently working on his Masters at the University of Houston-Clear Lakes in Healthcare Administration. He earned a Bachelor of Science in 2017 in Clinical Laboratory Science at Texas Southern University where he served as Class President 2014-2017. He worked tirelessly with Texas Workforce Commission to secure scholarship for Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) program in 2016 to help at least 10 students beginning 2017 and Associates of Science degrees in the same discipline at the George Washington University in Washington, DC. He is a teachers assistant to Dr. Dorothy Cummings at the Texas Southern University where he prepares students of the Clinical Laboratory Science program for the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) exam. He also serves as co-chair and teacher in the youth Department Christian United Ministries International (CUMI).
Sapolucia is Chairman Board of Directors/co-founder of Change for Liberian Children and Youth (CLCY) and a Medical Laboratory Scientist at the Harris Health System (2017-present). He is co-chair for the Laboratory Governance Committee at the Lyndon B Johnson Hospital Pathology Department, His passion for healthcare has always driven him to serve in medical settings and his love for his native country moved him to be the current president of CLCY. He is a loving husband and a proud father of three boys.
Emmanuel (known as E-man) was born in Baila, Bong County unto the union George C. Sapolucia and Nowai Lablah Sapolucia. Emmanuel started primary education at Samuel B. Cooper Elementary in Baila and continue at Brewersville Junior High (Annie Banks Williams High) School in Brewersville, Montserrado County, Liberia. He completed secondary education in 1998 at one of Liberia’s prestigious high schools of the 90s, Seventh - day Adventist high on 120 Camp-Johnson Road, Monrovia, Liberia.
Upon graduation, Emmanuel volunteered his service to his home-town in 1999 to tutor 9th grade students (7) of Samuel B. Cooper junior high school prepared for its first ever West African Examination Council (WAEC) exam. After two weeks of intensive camping under tedious conditions, we got 86% (6 passed) passing rate, this is considered excellent considering the lack of text books and study material besides the ones he took with him. He matriculated to the nations highest institution of learning, the University of Liberia in 1999 to study Biology (major) and Chemistry (minor) to prepare for his studies in medicine. Emmanuel was a founding member and Financial Secretary (1999-2003) of Baila Progressive Development Association (BPDA), a name he suggested and was adopted by the body, and Baila Progressive Development Association Financial Saving Club headed by Mr. Allen Wayakollie and a member of the Bong County Development Associated headed Mr. George Miller respectively. As an official and member of both associations we were instrumental in lobbying and delivering school supplies to Kpai District in Bong County in 2001 and lending micro-loan to Liberian businesses (2001-2002). Sapolucia also served as Vice President and Financial Secretary of the Freeport community Development Association (FCDA) 2001-2003 and 2000-2002 respectively. FCDA was a community based association of youths volunteering their time to clean the community and create awareness of proper sanitation services and engaging community leaders, Law makers and the government officials for support to provides tools and/or equipment. We initiated and started the widening of the drainage along the Somalia Drive in 2001.
A son of a classroom teacher, Sapolucia spent few years in the classroom and was first employed by one of his former teacher (Mr. Saydee) at the Samuel K Doe (12 Room) Elementary school where he taught Mathematics 1999-2001, 2001-2003 Sapolucia taught at the Garrison W. Gibson (G.W. Gibson) High school teaching Jr high (7th-9th grades) mathematics prior to his departure for the United States in late 2003.
Sapolucia began another journey that wouldl take him to 13 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, when he joined the United States Navy November 9, 2004, exactly one year in the United States. He quickly became recognized as a leader when he put together group of sailors in his division (First Division) known as the “United Nation (UN)” who he mentored through the ranks of the US Navy. He served in many capacities in the Navy to include: Supply Petit Officer (SPO), team leader (UN), CPR/BLS Instructor, Hospital Corpsman, Safe PO, Medical Laboratory Technician, coach and captain of Naval Branch Health Clinic New London etc., just to name a few. Sapolucia was awarded Navy Marine Achievement Medal, 2 Good Conduct Medals, Blue Jacket of the Quarter and many other awards.
Sapolucia is currently working on his Masters at the University of Houston-Clear Lakes in Healthcare Administration. He earned a Bachelor of Science in 2017 in Clinical Laboratory Science at Texas Southern University where he served as Class President 2014-2017. He worked tirelessly with Texas Workforce Commission to secure scholarship for Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) program in 2016 to help at least 10 students beginning 2017 and Associates of Science degrees in the same discipline at the George Washington University in Washington, DC. He is a teachers assistant to Dr. Dorothy Cummings at the Texas Southern University where he prepares students of the Clinical Laboratory Science program for the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) exam. He also serves as co-chair and teacher in the youth Department Christian United Ministries International (CUMI).
Hawa's story
Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Fuel Senior Chief Petty Officer Hawa P Riley, U.S. Navy
Senior Chief Riley is Deputy Executive Director/co-founder of Change for Liberian Children and Youth (CLCY). Riley was born and raised in Monrovia, Liberia West Africa. She enlisted in the U.S. Navy on 23 May 1995 and attended basic military training followed by ABF “A” School at Recruit Training Center (RTC), and Naval Training Center (NTC) Millington, TN.
She served at the following commands:
She is married and lives in Suffolk VA.
Senior Chief Riley is Deputy Executive Director/co-founder of Change for Liberian Children and Youth (CLCY). Riley was born and raised in Monrovia, Liberia West Africa. She enlisted in the U.S. Navy on 23 May 1995 and attended basic military training followed by ABF “A” School at Recruit Training Center (RTC), and Naval Training Center (NTC) Millington, TN.
She served at the following commands:
- Guantanamo Bay Cuba (1995-1997);
- USS JOHN F. KENNEDY CV 67 (1997-2000 completing 2 deployments); NAVAL STATION Mayport, FL fuel farm (2000-2003); SIMA Mayport, FL (2003-2005).
- USS HARRY S. TRUMAN NAS Norfolk where she served from July 2005 to May 2010 (completed 2 deployments); followed by COMNAVAIRLANT Norfolk, VA where she joined the Aircraft Carrier flight deck inspection team from 2010-2013.
- Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes IL May 2013 till Oct 2016 as a Recruit Division Commander.
- Currently stationed on-board the USS BATAAN as Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Senior Chief Petty Officer as the V-4 Division LCPO.
She is married and lives in Suffolk VA.
Nora's story
Change for Liberia Children and Youth Secretary General Nora Nimely is a loving mother and a wife of 20 years. She has been living in Virginia Beach, VA for over twenty years. She works as a kindergarten teachers assistant with the Virginia Beach City Public Schools. Nora was born to Mr. Dahn Woundeh and Yeanpu Woundeh in Margibi County, Liberia.
Mrs. Nimely loves the Lord and enjoys serving Him wherever there’s a need to serve. She currently volunteers as a worship leader at Unity Fellowship, a non-denominational church. She has also served as a worship leader/director at the Bethel World Outreach Ministries in the Ivory Coast from 1994 to 1998. Prior to that, she served on an evangelistic team during the civil war in Liberia by ministering to both rebel fighters and displaced people.
Nora considers all of her services as successful by the grace of God through Jesus Christ. Some of Nora’s successes include but not limited to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with others in deed and words, spearheading the establishment of the Liberian Association of Hampton Roads, sponsoring and soliciting assistance for the children of Fatima Cottage Orphanage for more than three years, and the ongoing sponsorship for schooling for her nieces and nephews in Liberia. Nora has a passion for helping and teaching people who are in need spiritually and physically. She considers it to be an honor to volunteer with CLCY to serve the needy in Liberia. Finally, Mrs. Nimely believes Jesus is the head of her life.