Meet The Team
Our Team
Clarice Richards
Founder
Biography
Clarice Richards is the Founder and Director of Shepherd’s Heartbeat. With over ten years of service at the American Red Cross Blood Services in Philadelphia, she currently works as an Apheresis Technician in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. Her deep commitment to supporting children and families led her to return to school, where she is now completing her studies in Clinical Psychology
to better serve the mission of Shepherd’s Heartbeat.
A Story of Resilience and Purpose
Clarice is a survivor of the Liberian civil war. She and her two sons endured unimaginable suffering – captivity, starvation, and homelessness at the hands of rebel forces. Tragically, one of her sons passed away due to severe malnutrition during this time. Through the compassion of charitable organizations around the world, Clarice and her surviving son were able to rebuild their lives.
Her journey from survival to restoration became the foundation for Shepherd’s Heartbeat. Clarice founded the organization to bring hope, healing, and practical support to others facing desperate circumstances – especially vulnerable children. Her life’s work is a testament to the power of compassion, resilience, and the belief that no child should suffer alone.
Adama Serlief
Board Director
Biography
Adama is a seasoned legal and compliance professional with over seven years of experience in regulatory strategy, data privacy, and risk management. Since the founding of Shepherd’s Heartbeat, he has provided strategic and legal counsel to support the organization’s growth and impact. Passionate about advancing justice and development in underserved communities, Adama brings a justice-centered, practical approach to every project, guided by a strong commitment to equity and restoration.
Sam Togba Slewion, MSW
Country Representative
Biography
Sam Togba Slewion, MSW, is an accomplished social work educator, researcher, and advocate with more than two decades of experience in academia, public service, and community development across Liberia and the United States. He holds a Master of Social Work with a concentration in Management and Planning and a BA in Psychology from Temple University, as well as advanced training in gerontology, cancer registration, counseling, and palliative care.
He currently serves as Assistant Professor and Chairman of the Social Work Department at United Methodist University, Liberia, and as Director of the Center for Community Advancement and Family Empowerment (CECAFE). He also holds leadership roles with the National Social Work Board of Liberia, Shepherd’s Heartbeat, Inc., and the Stakeholders Group on Ageing-Africa.
Mr. Slewion has published and co-authored influential works on aging, elder abuse, and social protection, and has presented on global platforms including the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. His career is dedicated to advancing gender equality, social protection for older people, disability empowerment, and evidence-based policy development. He is also an active member of the Rotary Club of Sinkor and the United Methodist Church.
Varney Koiblee
Social Worker
Biography
Varney Koiblee holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Social Work from the United Methodist University and a master’s in public health with a concentration in Community Health Services from Cuttington Graduate School.
He began his professional journey as a volunteer with Shepherd’s Heartbeat and now plays a vital role in delivering social services to children impacted by the 2014–2015 Ebola outbreak. Varney also works with the MAGIF Foundation, supporting children from underserved communities by helping them access education and essential care.
In addition to his fieldwork, Varney serves as a Field Supervisor at the United Methodist University, where he mentors social work interns. A devoted Catholic, he enjoys reading and spending quiet time with his family.
Elizabeth Kumeh-Langley
Social Worker
Biography
Elizabeth Kumeh-Langley is a committed social worker from Grand Kru County, Liberia, and a proud member of the Grebo tribe. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and early childhood education from the United Methodist University and an Associate Degree in Management and Sociology from the Liberian College of Technology.
For over five years, Elizabeth has been an integral part of Shepherd’s Heartbeat, where she shares the organization’s vision and finds joy in supporting and nurturing children through counseling and welfare services.
Meet Our Partners
In 2024, Shepherd's Heartbeat received a generous grant from the Rotary Club of Chester, PA with a great support from the Rotary Club of Swarthmore. This funding was instrumental in enhancing SHB’s farm, which plays a vital role in providing nutritious food for children in our program and supporting income-generating activities that contribute to their overall welfare. The grant also enabled the installation of two new hand-operated water pumps and the renovation of an existing one, significantly improving access to clean drinking water for both the school and surrounding villages.
The Rotary Club of Swarthmore PA
The Wilmington, DE Days for Girls Team is part of the global Days for Girls movement - an international organization committed to breaking the stigma surrounding menstruation and empowering women and girls through access to menstrual health solutions and education. Days for Girls provides DFG Kits and comprehensive menstrual health education that support improved health, education, and economic opportunities. Since 2021, the Wilmington team has partnered with Shepherd’s Heartbeat to extend this mission to Liberia, distributing over 1,500 reusable sanitary kits to women and girls in our program. This collaboration continues to uplift communities we serve by promoting dignity, confidence, and long-term sustainability.
Days For Girls
Led by the HOLY SPIRIT, we enter communities to share the love of KING JESUS CHRIST. We first build relationships with local ministers, listen to their needs, and work with them to shape solutions. This partnership empowers the community to take ownership and sustain the change. WeRemnant make a monthly donation to ensure children in our program have access to essential resources and basic needs.
WeRemnant
The Rotary Club of Chester, PA, USA, has generously donated eight Uzima Water Filter buckets, which provides clean drinking water for over 60 school-going children and their teachers at the Joshua Irwin Early Childhood Education Center (aka Shepherd’s Heartbeat village School).
The Rotary Club of Chester PA