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Schools for Salone

Be a part of giving hope to children of Sierra Leone

Sports – Carson, California, United States
552773

Michael's Story:

Chivas USA defender Michael Lahoud was born in Sierra Leone and by the time he was six, civil war had broken out in the country. Michael was able to leave the counrty and was reunited with his mom in Virginia. Growing up in the Washington DC area, Michael had very little knowledge of what was happening back in his home country. It wasn't until after the war was over that he became aware of how dire the situation back home was. 

Two years ago, Michael attended a fundraiser for "Life Rolls On," a non-profit organization that helps inspire hope and a better life for people with spinal cord injuries. After hearing about a Georgetown University graduate took his first steps with the help of a walker after being paralyzed with a spinal cord injury. Michael was inspired by the organization's founder, Jesse Billauer, who inspires hope through his tireless efforts. Michael realized that he could offer hope to someone else in the world. 


Months later, Michael found his calling. After being contacted by Schools for Salone, Michael knew he wanted to invest his passion for helping others with that organization.

In Michael's Words: 

I'm very grateful for the life I've been blessed to have. A lot of it wouldn't have been possible had it not been for many incredible things, one of them being education All I was given was a chance, and that's what I want to pass along to the children of Sierre Leone. I could have been walking in the shoes of these children. If we can just give one child the opportunity to improve his life through education, maybe, that person will improve the lives around him. I hope to create a beacon of hope for the children of my home country!

Schools for Salone's Impact: 

Schools for Salone partners with local villages in Sierra Leone to rebuild the education infrastructure devastated in the ten-year long civil war that ended in 2002. 


All the schools are in poor, rural communities. The communities suffer from multiple problems, including lack of safe water, poor health and nutrition and seasonal hunger. The communities put a very high priority on the education of their children, seeing  this as a means of breaking the cycle of poverty.


Beginning with carefully targeted villages, the schools are a community effort. The community donates and clears the land, provides locally available materials and unskilled labor. Once funds arrive for imported items, such as cement and roofing materials, the schools are completed in less than two months. 


Between 2004 and 2010, Schools for Salone has built 11 schools, one library and numerous water wells. 

Why children? Why schools? 

Because if you want to change the world, you help children. 


Because education opens doors, builds self-confidence and self-esteem, and increases the chances of breaking the cycle of poverty and  changing the world for present and future generations.


What you'll get by giving:

How about about warm, fuzzy feelings, for starters? Not enough? Okay, try this on for size:


Every dime raised goes straight to Schools for Salone at the conclusion of this project. Chivas USA has donated all the goodies that you see on the right. 


Here's how you can help:

First, GIVE US YOUR MONEY. (Duh.) Just donating $5 will go such a long way. Equally, or perhaps more importantly, tell all your friends to give us their money. Seriously: spread the word! 

Other Ways You Can Help:

Join Chivas USA & Fundacion Chivas de Corazon at Drai's in Hollywood for the first ever Date A Chiva date auction to benefit Schools for Salone and help build a school in Sierra Leone. Gather your friends for a night with the players from Major League Soccer's Chivas USA and bid for your chance to win a date with one of guys!


100% of the proceeds will go to Schools for Salone & Fundacion Chivas de Corazon.


Your Host/Auctioneer for the night will be Jimmy Conrad! This is your chance to win a date with: Michael Lahoud, Justin Braun, Jimmy Conrad, Chris Cortez, Bryan de la Fuente, Victor Estupian, Jorge Flores, Dan Kennedy, Paulo Nagamura, Zach Thornton, Mariano Trujillo or Zarek Valentin! Also, mingle with bartenders: Sergio Arias, Simon Elliott, Blair Gavin, Marcos Mondaini, Heath Pearce, Michael Umaa and Ben Zemanski!


THIS IS A 21 & OVER EVENT, ID WILL BE CHECKED AT THE DOOR. DRESS CODE WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED - Upscale fashionable attire required. All patrons subject to Doorman's discretion. No refunds will be offered. For more information on this event, visit dateachivas.eventbrite.com. 


If you can't attend the event, please still donate! Every little bit helps!

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