4-Runner Journey

"anything is possible with passion and purpose."

A ​recent visit to Kolahun by RHL Board member, John Morris (seen here reading with a Kolahun child), kick-started an ambitious goal: To solve RHL’s transportation challenge of traveling between Monrovia and Kolahun when on official RHL business. John understands the importance of bringing education, healthcare recourses, and financial opportunity to the people of Kolahun. However, during his visit to the district, John and the RHL Executive Director found their sorely, under-equipped vehicle stuck in mud resulting from washed out roads on their way from Monrovia back to Kolahun. Their work was derailed for over 10 hours as they tried to free their vehicle. When the team supporting RHL is unable travel between Monrovia and Kolahun to advocate for RHL, the success of the mission is in danger. That’s when John decided on a bold solution.

H​e purchased a well-equipped vehicle that could handle the rough terrain between Liberia’s capital city, Monrovia, and Kolahun. Fellow Board member, Dr. Barbara Burke, agreed this was a brilliant solution and paid half of the cost to invest in a proper vehicle. They chose a late-model, Toyota 4-Runner outfitted with all-terrain tires to ensure none of the RHL team would be stuck on washed out roads again. Then, John began his cross-country journey from Washington State to Rhode Island to deliver the vehicle for its trans-Atlantic journey to Liberia. Along the way, he received donations of supplies, games, and books which filled the 4-Runner.

John crisscrossed the entire country. Stops along the way to visit friends, family, and colleagues offered him encouragement as he traveled from Seattle to Portland, to L.A., El Paso, and Austin; then a longer stay in Birmingham. While there, the generous staff at Kingfisher Signs added the RHL logo to the vehicle while John enjoyed visiting the local sites, like the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, with fellow Board member, Dr. Barbara Burke.

After a wonderful visit and short rest, it was once again time to move on to the next stops of Tallahassee, Port St. Lucie, Charlotte, and Wilmington, DE. John finally made it to Cumberland, RI, where the loaded 4-Runner now awaits its ship to take it across the Atlantic to Liberia.

Follow us on Facebook or Instagram where we will soon share the final portion of this story and unveil the 4-Runner’s arrival in Liberia.
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