Ariel Robinson

I am currently a student at the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University. Originally from Rochester, NY it is my dream to work at Walt Disney World and remind people what its like to feel like a kid again. While visiting the City of Refuge I feel in love with the kids as well as the organization.

I find there mission to be so powerful and something that can really make a difference in this world. I can not wait to be able to continue to help save more children from slavery in Ghana and give them back the childhood they deserve.

Ken and Marty Kurica

Ken and Marty Kurica were inspired to visit City of Refuge by their daughter Stephanie who visited in the previous worldwide voyage of Semester at Sea (SAS S10). Spurned by her passion and ongoing communication with John and Stacy Omorefe, the founders of City of Refuge they presented and organized a return visit with 32 shipmates including 28 students, three lifelong learners and one faculty member.

(SAS F10) It was such a success the students convinced others of the mission and at the end of the voyage there were over 130 shipmates who were committed to the establishment of a Nonprofit named Finding Refuge, a website, and the challenge  of establishing university clubs and organizations in over 40 different schools throughout the United States”.

Ken is a retired Spinal orthopedic surgeon who is currently the President and CEO of IntraNerve, LLC and PRN Read, P.C. companies who provide neurological protection for patients undergoing spinal, brain,  ENT procedures throughout the United States. Contact: infoKKurica@intranerve.com,   MartyKurica@aol.com

Stephanie Kurica

I’m Stephanie Kurica and I attend Azusa Pacific University in California studying pre-physical therapy.  When I met John and Stacy in a nearby restaurant in Ghana, I never would have expected my heart to be broken by the reality of this world.  In one day, they showed me what it meant to completely surrender and humble your life in attempt to be a voice for the voiceless. 

They exposed me to the world of human trafficking and gave me the passion and desire to help and spread the knowledge in any possible way.  Not a day goes by that I do not think and pray for  John and Stacy and all the children.  I am thankful and blessed to be apart of an organization that in founded on those beliefs. 

Michael Penn

 

Born and raised in South Florida, I am now currently a Business Major at The University of Arizona. Visiting City of Refuge while on Semester at Sea has been one of the best experiences of my life.

 

Seeing this display of inhumanity first hand, and witnessing the faces of the kids is a feeling you can’t even fathom. I strongly urge any of you who are interested to contact any of us and visit Ghana if you get the chance. You won’t regret itt!

Molly Crenshaw

Hi my name is Molly Crenshaw and I’m from Memphis, Tennessee. I’m currently a junior at the University of Georgia in the School of Social Work. My hope is to one day become a social worker and work internationally with refugees and impoverished children.

My experience in Ghana only added to my desire to help people where my help is needed and I can’t wait to see what our organization can do to change these children’s lives!.

Sammy Schreiner

Hi Everyone! My name is Sammy Schreiner and I am from Sedalia Colorado. I grew up out in the country, playing with cows and horses getting in touch with the cowgirl within. I enjoy the great outdoors and trying new things. I went to an all girls high school that empowered me as a young women and showed me the spirit of service.

My passion for helping others is what drives me. I am so thrilled that as one unified team we will be able to create change by eliminating slavery at Lake Volta. Kenzies is in an email

Marcus Williemas

I go to the University of Rochester where I study Financial Economics and currently play for the Men's Basketball Team. I grew up in Syracuse, NY with my mother, father, and little sister.

My passion is helping people and creating smiles.

Gail Kilyk

Gail Kilyk, Retired Teacher, Enjoys traveling, people-watching, reading, walking, riding my beach bike, and spending time with family and friends.

Jamaal Davis

Jamaal Davis is a junior finance major at Morehouse College from Brooklyn, New York. At an early age he found his passion for activism working as a peer educator with the New York Civil Liberties Union.

He hopes that his involvement in Finding Refuge will be grave and that child slavery and other injustices in Ghana will be forever done away with.

Jamie McClintock

Sports Marketing major at U of Oregon,Lacrosse Superstar.I was invited along on a day that changed my life. We gave these kids our time and had an amazing time with them, it meant the world to all of us.

The kids were eager to learn about our lives, but I ended up learning far more than that which I could provide. Not to mention getting schooled on the soccer field. The day left me with an impact that was unfathomable after spending precious 1-on-1 time with the happiest children I have ever met.

Seeing this first hand made me realize that this is cause exists today and Finding Refuge helps first hand. Through these experiences we are doing our part in saving lives aro und the world, do you want to help?

Mike Wexler

Mike Wexler, currently a Senior at the University of Rochester. I'm a history and international relations double major, and I went on Semester at Sea in Fall 2010. I have a severe case of the travel bug, so SAS was perfect for me.

I had an incredible experience in Ghana and being able to work with an upstart NGO like Finding Refuge is undoubtedly one of the most rewarding experience of my life.

Sadye Glotman

My name is Sadye Glotman and I am marketing Major at the University of Denver. Before visiting the city of refugee I was unaware of the child slavery problem in Ghana.

On my visit to the orphanage I had the opportunity to meet all of the kids that were saved by the City of Refuge. The potential that I saw from each and every child at the orphanage was an inspiration and made me want to help.

Romainne Harrod

Romainne Harrod is a Senior at the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford with a major in English and a minor in International Studies. Romainne latched onto the Finding Refuge organization because

1. She feels that she is a selfless person that is grateful for the blessings placed before her and believes it is her obligation as a human being to bless others as well.

2. Another reason Romainne got involved because she saw the excitement and the enthusiasm the other students had that had went onto the trip to see the children at the orphanage, she felt connected because she knows where the organization originated from and she is so impressed with how much progress has been made.

Hannah Kyle Crichton

I am a Theatre Arts major at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington. After Semester At Sea, I've seen the world in a whole new light.

Finding Refuge has given me the opportunity to make a difference, working with peers I cherish, and helping the children of our world who deserve love. Goodness exists worldwide and I want to make sure that these children understand that, and get to live a life full of beauty.

Frances Udukwu

My name is Frances Udukwu, I am currently a graduating Senior at Temple University studying Public Health and Health care Systems Management. I believe in doing whatever I can to ensure that all human beings are given the opportunity to exercise their rights.

I am grateful for the opportunity to become a part of such a heartfelt initiative, and most importantly I am grateful for being provided with the information needed to get a glimpse of what the children of Lake Volta are being submitted to. I look forward to serving as a liaison between Finding Refuge and Temple University's campus. And of course, the progression of Finding Refuge.

Sean Kennedy

Sean Kennedy, 20. I am currently studying Business at the University of San Diego, and sailed on the Fall 2010 Semester at Sea voyage.

While in Ghana, I visited City of Refuge and learned about the atrocities that happen at Lake Volta. This visit is one of my fondest memories and the experience truly shaped my semester abroad.

Rebecca Piland

Hey everyone!! My name is Rebecca Piland and I go to THE University of Texas at Austin. I love athletics, graphic design, and photography, but I had to choose a field of study so I am an International studies/ Pre-Med major. I’ve been bitten by the travel bug and I will never stop exploring the world.

Ghana opened my heart to actual issues that real people face across the world. The knowledge of their pain changed how I viewed my purpose in traveling. My ultimate goal is to be able to provide global health care to those in need by helping them FIND REFUGE and hope where ever they are. I believe we should give to the world more than we take, because what is there meaning in life if it’s only about yourself? Hook’em Horns and God Bless! In Him, Becca Philippians 2:3-4

Hannah Current

Hello, my name is Hannah Current and I am a student at Santa Clara University in Northern California. I am a passionate and dedicated hard worker that enjoys water sports, photography, traveling and most of all- helping others.

Ever since my first service trip to Moscow, Russia in the fourth grade, reaching out to those in need has become an influential pattern throughout my life. Whether it’s simply being there for a friend, volunteering in my local community, countless trips to near-by Mexico, or even participating in service projects in other continents such as Africa and Asia, I am fueled by these opportunities to improve others quality of life.

Once my family was asked to describe me in a single word, in which they unanimously decided on radiant. I would like to think that everybody sees me that way, and that my smile is infectious to all whom I come into contact with. I am beyond stoked to be a part of the Finding Refuge crew, and especially look forward to the hope and freedom that we will bring to these kids in Ghana.

Alan Boyd

Alan Boyd is a junior at Western Washington University and a Biology major there. He is an 08' graduate of roosevelt highschool and lives in Seattle. He likes people and was drawn to this program after seeing the drive of his fellow students on semester at sea and wanted to get involved even though he did not partake in the initial feeding at City of Refuge.

Robert Schultz

Robert Schultz is from Anaheim Hills, California. As a graduate from Mater Dei High School and a member of San Antonia de Padua Catholic Church, Bobby knows the importance of a strong community.

He is currently studying International Business at the University of San Diego where he is a tour guide and a player for the USD Rugby team. Bobby found a new community to be a part of when he visited City of Refuge during his semester abroad. After graduating from USD, he plans to pursue his passion for law by attending law school.

Lindsey Marconi

I'm Lindsey Marconi, a graduate with an Interpersonal Communications degree from the University of South Florida.  In April 2010, my friends and I, in what I believe to be a serendipitous meeting, were introduced to Stacey and Johnbull.

Without hesitation and with the utmost hospitality, they invited us to City of Refuge. Out of the one hundred plus days that I was circumnavigating the globe, the day spent with them, their family, and all of the children was the most memorable, emotive, and life changing. I cannot express how incredible it is that Finding Refuge came to fruition. I look forward to everything that is in the future for City of Refuge and I am overjoyed and blessed with the opportunity to be re-visiting Ghana this Spring!

Lauren Brock

Lauren Brock is a graduate of Mesa State College, where she majored in Sports Management. Lauren enjoys being outdoors and being active. She first came to Ghana in the Spring of 2010 with Semester at Sea.

She met Stacy and JohnBull at a local restaurant with some friends. Stacy and JohnBull invited them to come and see what they were all about. Lauren instantly fell in love with what Stacy and JohnBull are trying aaccomplish. She is looking forward to returning to Ghana this coming May with the same friends she first went with

Megan O’neill

Hi my name is Megan O'Neill and I am originally from the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area. I am currently a junior at the University of Delaware with a double major in Economics and International Relations.

Visiting The City of Refuge and interacting with the children was a life changing experience for me. Through an economics perspective the main reasons I am committed to City of Refuge is because John and Stacy alone are attacking this issue from all angles. This including preventative work of developing a micro-finance water program for women in recruiting areas.

Joe Bagliere

Joe Bagliere is a Senior at Ithaca College studying International Communication and Politics. He has a passion for travel and reaching out to those in need.

Finding Refuge offers the best of both worlds, and with it he hopes to give back and make a difference in a seemingly impossible world. Cape diem!

 I love to cook for my friends, but no experience can ever match the pleasure I received from helping to feed those precious children at the fishing village in Ghana.  The poverty and  living conditions just broke my heart.  No one should have to starve in this world.  Our experience in Ghana made a tremendous impression on me and gave me the desire to continue to help these people. I am shocked that the government in Ghana does not take a more active role  to stop the abuse of these children.

Mckenzie Lay

I'm a 20 year old sister, student, and advocate at theUniversity of Oregon. After my amazing semester on Semester at Sea I was able to fully experience the beauty and complexity the world has to offer. It has been my passion to give back to humanity buy showing compassion to this world many inhabitants. These children, that are rescued from slavery, are treated as in-human, leaving damaging marks on their minds for the rest of their lives. I support City of Refuge because they give each individual child love, dignity, opportunity and a family, something I think every human being deserves.