A Simsponville ice cream shop, Ice Cream Station, is making a difference by the scoop.
Four years ago, the ice cream parlor began collaborating with Greenville-based nonprofit Set Free Alliance, donating a meal to a child in India for each item purchased in the store during the months of June and July. In total, the contributions have provided 67,743 meals to the children.
The shop’s owners, Serge and Kristy Guillot, decided to get involved when they learned about Set Free. The faith-based nonprofit focuses on clean water, food insecurity and prevention of child slavery, primarily in the areas of West Africa and South Asia. The nonprofit partners with local pastors in its service area to provide relief.
The Guillots were introduced to the program in 2018.
Photo provided by Set Free Alliance“You hear just one story but there are literally thousands upon thousands of these kids that have been or (are) being rescued from just horrific conditions,” Serge Guillot said. “My wife and I, we actually have six kids, and we could not imagine any of our children in that situation.”
Set Free Alliance CEO Sarah Kelley said the group often helps families who have gone into debt paying for hospital fees stemming from consumption of contaminated water.
“If you don’t have clean water, you end up getting ill,” Kelley said. “Parents can’t work because they’re sick. You can’t work; they don’t get paid. So they end up taking out these loans in order to be able to pay for medical care and then when they can’t repay the loans, children are taken as payment of these loans and end up in slavery.”
The nonprofit started as Water of Life in 2002 to provide clean water in underserved areas. It expanded services once it recognized other needs had to be met, such as child rescue or medical aid.
The Guillots started with a one-month commitment. Seeing the success, the following year they expanded to two months.
“Our hope is that more people would look into Set Free and the work that they are doing,” Serge Guillot said. “And my hope is that other businesses or families can see how they can join, join in to help.”
Ice Cream Station opened in 2010. It is located at 125 S. Main St. in Simpsonville. Set Free Alliance is located at 333 Wade Hampton Blvd. in Greenville.
About Set Free Alliance
Set Free Alliance works by establishing a prevention program to help families, primarily in West Africa and South Asia, repay loans so their children do not fall into slavery. The family then pays the nonprofit back on its own terms either in money or goods, such as rice. If the children have fallen into slavery, the goal is to rescue and reunite the children with their families. Where possible, the organization drills wells in villages to increase access to fresh water. Additionally, the team may set up medical clinics to address health concerns.
Ice Cream Station and Set Free Alliance’s partnership has provided over 65,000 meals to children in India. Photo provided by Set Free Alliance.
