The Beginning of CHAP: Stan's Story
CHAP founder Stan Weaver
CHAP's (Christian Humanitarian Assistance Program) inception began in February of 2002, when Founder Stan Weaver visited Liberia, West Africa on a mission trip. Stan's world was flipped upside down as he experienced Liberia, during the war, in its toughest times. There were a myriad of touching experiences during this trip, and after returning to the U.S., he could not stop reflecting upon them. He knew his life had been forever changed. Stan began sending funds to Liberia for distribution to the Liberian people. Through these funds and communications, a team of people formed for the purpose of providing ongoing humanitarian aid. This team was the beginning of Christian Humanitarian Assistance Program (CHAP) International.
In September 2004, the team took a group from the U.S. to Liberia to distribute food and clothing, while further assessing the needs of the nation. This was a pivotal trip for the organization because we also filed official paperwork and became a non-governmental organization (NGO) in Liberia, acquired duty-free status, established financial accounts and even found an office building from which to base their future operations in Liberia.
In 2008 we purchased land and in 2009 we began assessing the land for construction of what we call Operation River Gee. This project revolves around the development of a multi-purpose building in Kanweakan, Liberia – one of the most remote areas of the country. The compound will provide a school, agricultural development, medical care, adult education, and trade development as well as evangelism and Bible training.
In 2010, we broke land and Operation River Gee is in full swing ahead. We continue to praise God for the good things he has done and the many blessings we anticipate He holds for Liberia.
In 2011 while on our annual two-week missions trip to Liberia we had the opportunity to visit the Liberian Christian Mission Orphanage. It was the start of a special relationship with LCO. Located in Careysburg, Liberia, forty-five minutes outside of the capital of Monrovia, LCO has seventy children at the orphanage, with five staff members. The property consists of two buildings; one for the school and the other building is where the kids and staff sleep. Along with our friends at Orphan Relief Network we now partner with LCO to provide food, education, clothing, teacher and staff salaries, and daily necessities for the orphanage.
In 2012 on our last trip we were able to spend an entire week with the kids; building relationships, playing soccer, teaching bible school and just loving on these children. It was an incredibly impactful experience for everyone who went along. They are a special and unique group of kids who we look forward to helping and watching grow in the coming years.
In September 2004, the team took a group from the U.S. to Liberia to distribute food and clothing, while further assessing the needs of the nation. This was a pivotal trip for the organization because we also filed official paperwork and became a non-governmental organization (NGO) in Liberia, acquired duty-free status, established financial accounts and even found an office building from which to base their future operations in Liberia.
In 2008 we purchased land and in 2009 we began assessing the land for construction of what we call Operation River Gee. This project revolves around the development of a multi-purpose building in Kanweakan, Liberia – one of the most remote areas of the country. The compound will provide a school, agricultural development, medical care, adult education, and trade development as well as evangelism and Bible training.
In 2010, we broke land and Operation River Gee is in full swing ahead. We continue to praise God for the good things he has done and the many blessings we anticipate He holds for Liberia.
In 2011 while on our annual two-week missions trip to Liberia we had the opportunity to visit the Liberian Christian Mission Orphanage. It was the start of a special relationship with LCO. Located in Careysburg, Liberia, forty-five minutes outside of the capital of Monrovia, LCO has seventy children at the orphanage, with five staff members. The property consists of two buildings; one for the school and the other building is where the kids and staff sleep. Along with our friends at Orphan Relief Network we now partner with LCO to provide food, education, clothing, teacher and staff salaries, and daily necessities for the orphanage.
In 2012 on our last trip we were able to spend an entire week with the kids; building relationships, playing soccer, teaching bible school and just loving on these children. It was an incredibly impactful experience for everyone who went along. They are a special and unique group of kids who we look forward to helping and watching grow in the coming years.