Our mission is to equip, empower and educate impoverished kids in developing countries.

 
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Equip

communities and schools with essential resources such as food, clean water and medical treatment

Empower

people with leadership skills and organizational strategies for serving others in the community

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Educate

kids by supporting certified teachers, the development of libraries and technology centers

 
 
 

We believe in the power of education to transform lives.

We trust in the exponential growth that results from investing in individual children and schools.

e3kids is committed to equipping children and communities with access to essential resources; empowering people toward self-development, leadership, and service; and educating with a proven, certified curriculum with a goal of overcoming extreme poverty.

By partnering with schools and education programs started by residents of each individual community we serve, e3kids ensures that localization of programming is achieved and local challenges are considered. Resident leaders work with us hand-in-hand — and we regularly expect follow-up forums to ensure our mission is properly supporting local needs, fulfilling both critical short-term priorities and more strategic long-term goals.

Throughout the life of e3kids, we’ve found through experience that children living in poverty are nearly always in need of spiritual and emotional nourishment — some even believe they deserve to be where they are, incapable of escaping the “cycle” of poverty. We use the power of scripture to eliminate lies of inadequacy so students are better equipped to help themselves, and others, overcome degrading situations.

We’ve seen our model work — and have helped numerous communities live better lives thanks to access to education. Everything we do is designed with the hope that kids have the chance at a career ultimately enabling them to give back, raise up others in need, and become global citizens.

 
 
 
 

“I said yes.”

Carol Turner
Founder & Executive Director
e3kids international

 

I said “yes” to a calling on my life, and it has been a wonderful adventure. I am an ordinary person doing extraordinary things.  When God calls, He equips and provides a vision, purpose, and plan. Ultimately, that leads to bringing lasting change. And e3kids began exactly that way — believing in plans bigger than myself.

Since I was young girl, my father always taught me to look for opportunities to spread kindness and generosity to those in need; to lead by example, loving and giving along the way. When Dad saw a void, he always did more than only giving money. He would sit down, strike up a conversation, and find out what was needed to help move the world forward — valuing others over himself. Today, I lead my family and e3kids with the same philosophy.

When we are faced with a challenge, whether locally or globally, we help others overcome.

I frequently challenge our team to look for opportunities to be kind; to make a difference in someone’s life. There is no greater joy than to walk with those who needs us, and help them overcome the obstacles they believed to be insurmountable.

Through everything we do, we constantly scrutinize how to devote the resources that we have available to us as we effectively solve each problem through a data-driven and empathetic approach. But, most importantly, we love and care along the way.

e3kids is changing the world for the better — equipping, empowering, and educating youth in impoverished countries.

I hope you will join us in making an impact, too.

-Carol

 
 
 

Leadership team

 
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Carol Turner

Founder & Executive Director

Carol is the founder of e3kids international, and currently works as the Executive Director. She is an alumna of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in business. She is passionate towards providing vision and leadership for e3kids while connecting people and finding sustainable solutions for the organization and its initiatives. Carol’s husband and three daughters are involved in e3kids' work in both countries.

 
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Peter A. Poirot

PRESIDENT,
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

With an MBA from James Madison University, and a BS in Accounting from Bridgewater College, Peter is a CPA and a principal in charge of Graham & Poirot. The firm evolved serving approximately 150 clients to over 450 individuals and corporate clients. The practice now supports business valuations and divorce litigation support.

 

Lisa Batchelder

TREASURER,
Board of directors

A heart for missions and helping others was etched into Lisa’s heart in 1987 when she went on her first missions trip. Today, she finds great encouragement in helping impact the lives of a new generation. Lisa is superintendent for a prominent cemetery in Historic Harrisonburg, Virginia and helps run the ski school at Massanutten Resort, ensconced in the Blueridge Mountains during the winter months.

 
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Rob Turner

CoFOUNDER,
BOARD MEMBER

Rob is the co-founder and currently serves on the board of directors. He received a Longwood College alum where he studied Government and Education in 1987. He completed a Master’s of Education degree from VCU in Secondary School Guidance Counseling in 1989. Rob is a Licensed Professional Counselor and runs a private practice. He and his wife, Carol, are passionate about helping educate kids and raising their three daughters to live generously.

 
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Lena Gonzalez Berrios

BOARD MEMBER,
INTERNATIONAL LIBRARY LEAD

Lena is a librarian with a passion for community-building, literacy and education. In addition to her roles with e3kids International, she is a librarian for the Prince William Public Library System, a Rotarian with the North Stafford Rotary Club and a founding board member of the League of Women Voters of the Fredericksburg Area. She is an active member of Cornerstone Church, and assists with youth activities and missions. She has been working in literacy and libraries since 1991, and she knows firsthand that libraries transform lives.

 
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Julie Dillenbeck

BOARD MEMBER

Julie received a B.A. in Mathematics with a minor in Education from Messiah College. After a rich history in the U.S. public school system and internationally at Youth with a Mission (YWAM) in England and British Columbia, she started a children’s ministry with a focus on outreach at her local church. Through ministry opportunities, Julie has guided teens into local community settings and neighboring states, as well as Kenya, Mexico, and India. She also manages the Children’s Ski and Snowboard School at Massanutten Resort.

 

Tyrone M. Ford

Board member

With a passion for education and serving others, Tyrone has taken several trips to the Philippines with his church — and to Kenya with e3kids. Tyrone has been actively involved with us since 2020. He is a current student at Liberty University, pursuing a degree in education for kids in grades 6-12. With this degree, he plans to fulfill the vision God gave him to one day start a school in the Philippines.