My Volunteer Trip to Ghana
Donation protected
There are dozens of passages in the Bible in which God commands us to care for the poor, the oppressed the widowed, the orphaned, and the sick. I am overjoyed that I have been given an opportunity to carry out God’s work of defending the oppressed in a very direct way. In June I will be leaving for Ghana to spend a year working for International Justice Mission (IJM) as a legal fellow. I will be assisting the Ghana field office as they plead the cases of those who have been bound into slavery.
Without the help of IJM, these slaves would have no other hope for emancipation. Ghana’s Lake Volta is one of the world’s largest man-made lakes. Thousands of children work in its massive fishing industry—and many of these children are held in slavery. Children as young as 4 years old are abused and malnourished. Their work is dangerous; drowning and other hazards are a constant threat. While some NGOs have focused on negotiating the release of children from Lake Volta, there has been very little accountability for slave owners or systemic change in the justice system. These are the people whom the Lord commands us to defend.
IJM is a non-profit organization composed of Christian attorneys, social workers, criminal investigators, and support staff. IJM carefully investigates situations of abuse and partners with local officials to free victims from their immediate situations of danger. After the victims have been freed, IJM seeks to address the root of the problem by prosecuting the perpetrators in local court systems and empowering communities to make structural changes that can prevent such abuses in the future. IJM also works with aftercare providers to help the newly freed victims adjust to a life that is very different from their past oppressive experiences. I encourage you to consult their website (www.ijm.org) if you wish to know more.
The role I have accepted with IJM is a pro bono position, and I will be responsible for all costs associated with my assignment. I want to be transparent with you, my fundraising goal covers: travel to and from Washington D.C. for IJM Orientation, travel to and from Ghana, immunizations, prescriptions, food, rent, utilities, international health insurance, visa fees, transportation while in Ghana, having my dogs looked after, and storing all my belongings in the United States. Remember that this is just an estimate, and the amount may go down as I gather more details, however regardless of the cost I will do my best to steward your money wisely. Please do not feel as though a small contribution is not worth sending. Any amount that you can give will be greatly appreciated, and I hope you will consider this option.
If you would like to join my prayer team and/or receive regular updates of my time in Ghana, please contact me directly, or check my blog at infantryandatticus.com. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have further questions about my journey.
Without the help of IJM, these slaves would have no other hope for emancipation. Ghana’s Lake Volta is one of the world’s largest man-made lakes. Thousands of children work in its massive fishing industry—and many of these children are held in slavery. Children as young as 4 years old are abused and malnourished. Their work is dangerous; drowning and other hazards are a constant threat. While some NGOs have focused on negotiating the release of children from Lake Volta, there has been very little accountability for slave owners or systemic change in the justice system. These are the people whom the Lord commands us to defend.
IJM is a non-profit organization composed of Christian attorneys, social workers, criminal investigators, and support staff. IJM carefully investigates situations of abuse and partners with local officials to free victims from their immediate situations of danger. After the victims have been freed, IJM seeks to address the root of the problem by prosecuting the perpetrators in local court systems and empowering communities to make structural changes that can prevent such abuses in the future. IJM also works with aftercare providers to help the newly freed victims adjust to a life that is very different from their past oppressive experiences. I encourage you to consult their website (www.ijm.org) if you wish to know more.
The role I have accepted with IJM is a pro bono position, and I will be responsible for all costs associated with my assignment. I want to be transparent with you, my fundraising goal covers: travel to and from Washington D.C. for IJM Orientation, travel to and from Ghana, immunizations, prescriptions, food, rent, utilities, international health insurance, visa fees, transportation while in Ghana, having my dogs looked after, and storing all my belongings in the United States. Remember that this is just an estimate, and the amount may go down as I gather more details, however regardless of the cost I will do my best to steward your money wisely. Please do not feel as though a small contribution is not worth sending. Any amount that you can give will be greatly appreciated, and I hope you will consider this option.
If you would like to join my prayer team and/or receive regular updates of my time in Ghana, please contact me directly, or check my blog at infantryandatticus.com. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have further questions about my journey.
Organizer
Gregg Jarvis Conley
Organizer
Atlanta, GA
