Meet our July 2023 Summer Travel Team
Greetings Friends of Hope in South Africa!
We are thrilled to share the bios of our July 2023 travelers. We have a team heading across the "pond" this week. They are all excited to get to participate as ambassadors and volunteers for Hope in South Africa. The trip consists of a series of stops with partners for the Bikes for the World project, menstrual cup project and of course the Community Center in Richmond we support. We are looking forward to seeing how the Power UP! project is progressing and reporting back about it.
We'll share more details on each of these projects upon our traveler's return.
If you haven't already, become a part of Hope in South Africa's Power Up Hope in 2023!
Again, we appreciate your investment in our work.
Mary Nagle
President, Hope in South Africa
Summer 2023 Travel Team
ERICA CHRIST
I recently joined the HISA board of directors and have organized the marketing and fundraising outreach for the organization for three years. I love receiving updates about the projects, staff and children involved with the community centre in Richmond. Our family has supported the organization in many different ways since it was begun.
I reside in Alexandria, Virginia, near Washington DC and became familiar with HISA and Bikes for the World via my personal and work connection with Jonathan Warner. A friendship that has endured nearly three decades. I feel blessed to be traveling with my family to learn about the various places firsthand.
I love traveling with my family, learning about gardening/plants, watching soccer and cooking.
I am super excited to be able to meet the staff in person, watch my first netball game with the Richmond girls team and am eager to make personal connections during our visit.
BRENT CHRIST
My name is Brent Christ and I currently reside in Alexandria, Virginia. I grew up in Washington Grove, MD, a small town in the suburbs of Washington, DC. I attended Georgia Institute of Technology and earned a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree. I lived in Atlanta, Georgia for about 10 years before returning to the Washington, DC area. Currently I work for DC Water (the water and sewer authority for Washington, DC) as the Director of Facilities which provides daily challenges in the management of a large, diverse team and the maintenance and upkeep of multiple campuses.
I am the husband of Erica Christ and the father of Mitchell (17) and Russell (13). Outside of work, time with my family is my major focus. We love to travel, hike, ride bicycles and go fishing. I enjoy carpentry, working with wood and other materials on home renovation projects. In spring and fall I coach soccer for my son Mitchell’s recreational soccer team. Coaching has presented great opportunity to guide and share knowledge with young men and the side benefit of providing opportunity for self-evaluation and discovery.
I look forward to this opportunity to visit South Africa and am excited to meet people and see places that I have been hearing about and supporting through the HISA team for many years.
MITCH CHRIST
My name is Mitch Christ, I am 17 years old, and I live in Alexandria, Virginia. My mom works with Jonathan, and he is my godfather, so I’ve heard about and helped out with HISA pretty much my whole life. I am currently in high school, so that takes up a good chunk of my time, but outside of that, I enjoy playing soccer, building Legos, fishing, and spending time with my family. I’m looking forward to exploring and learning about a new country and being able to help out and meet new people.
RUSSELL CHRIST
I have never left the country, and this is my first time visiting South Africa. This is my first time working alongside Hope in South Africa. I’m excited to travel outside of the country. I have heard so much from my godfather Jonathan and can’t wait to see what it’s all about. I am 13 years old, live in Alexandria Virginia just outside of Washington, DC. I will be starting the 9th grade, my first year of high school and I love playing soccer, fishing and learning about 3D printing.
I learned about this organization from my mother who has been working with them for a long time. I can’t wait to see what takes place in these towns firsthand.
JASON CLINE
My name is Jason Cline and I currently reside in Dickerson, MD. I am originally from York Springs, PA where I lived until I went to Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. I am a commercial photographer by trade with a background as a lighting technician in film and television production. My current professional endeavor is building a video and photography production studio in Frederick, MD.
When I am not on my mountain bike or my snowboard, I can be found working in my garden, playing with my dogs, or experimenting with different flavors in the kitchen. I consider myself a lifelong learner and I am always on the hunt for a new adventure. I aspire to share with the world my passion for bicycles and their benefits to us as humans.
I am so excited to connect with the people of South Africa and to have the opportunity to learn, interact, and socialize with them.