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Two Steps Forward was founded in 2005 in an effort to make education possible
for Liberian students living in Buduburam Refugee Camp. Our initial experience
in Buduburam was part of a grassroots mission to build a free elementary
school for 500 "unaccompanied minors" - children who are on their own,
either orphaned or separated from their parents. During our time there,
it became apparent that there are many more of these vulnerable young people,
beyond elementary school age, who are in need of educational assistance.
These wishful students possess such kind, giving spirits, despite having very
little to call their own. Many eagerly helped us build the elementary school
knowing that their dream of education would not be fulfilled there. Two Steps
Forward was created out of our desire to procure sponsorships for these underprivileged
youths and afford them a hopeful future.
Working in conjunction with Two Steps Forward is the Refugee Action Committee (RAC). RAC was established by Mark Suah, a Liberian refugee who, despite his personal hardships, has dedicated himself to the welfare of the children in Buduburam. Mark and his dedicated group of volunteers maintain records on approximately 600 unaccompanied kids and assist Two Steps Forward in disbursing the sponsorship funds for tuition fees, uniforms, books, school supplies.
Founding Board Members:
Kerri Bogda, President
Kerri brings to Two Steps Forward a long, personal history of active volunteerism.
Whether mentoring at-risk teenagers, holding the office of Treasurer on the board
of a local nonprofit, or raising money for breast cancer research, she has long
kept community service an active and meaningful aspect of her life. It
came as no surprise to friends and family when she jumped at the opportunity
to partake in the founders’ first humanitarian efforts in Africa. Upon
witnessing not only the living conditions of the refugees but also their spirit,
she realized her activism just couldn’t stop with her first visit. Effectively
melding her financial skills as a certified public accountant with her passion
for helping others, she is proud and honored to be one of the founders of Two
Steps Forward.
Kelly Roebuck, Vice President
Kelly has a long-standing record of activism and volunteer service. She is driven by her belief in civic duty and a desire to make the world a better place. Among her political and social efforts, she has raised funds for breast cancer research, supported an outreach program for foster children in Los Angeles and chaired a mentorship program for young professional women. Kelly’s nonprofit experience comes from running the executive office of a national women’s charity organization in the early 2000’s. Co-founding Two Steps Forward was a natural step after witnessing first hand the difficulties facing children in African refugee camps. Kelly is dedicated to making a difference in these children’s lives.
Rayann Aziz, Secretary
As a third generation South African of Indian descent, Rayann is proud to claim both Nelson Mandela and Gandhi as part of her rich African heritage. She graduated as a physical therapist from the University of Durban-Westville in Durban, South Africa in 1989. Her love for travel and the desire to experience different cultures resulted in her moving to the USA in 1992.
Rayann’s interest and passion has always been the upliftment of an improvement of humanity, with a special focus on women and children’s issues. She was one of the founding members of Women
Against Global Trafficking, a Houston based human-rights organization. She later moved to Los Angeles to open Passport
Health Los Angeles, a travel immunization clinic and is currently the Executive Director.
The decision to be part of the initial Ten Days Trip to Buduburam Refugee Camp in Ghana and the consequent investment in Two Steps Forward was inevitable. This endeavor is very close to her heart as she sees it as an investment in the children and hence the future of her beloved Africa.
Two Steps is a 501(c)(3) organization. |
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