Founder Mark Charles, grew up under the Apartheid government in South Africa. Growing up, Mark's family worked hard to help those less fortunate. It was through this work with the impoverished, that Mark found his true calling. After high school, Mark received a scholarship to study in the United States. He completed his studies, met and married his wife Lisa, and had two children, Brogan & Conrad. In 1995, Mark and his family moved back to South Africa, to work amongst the Zulu tribe. They implemented food aid and training programs, built a community center, started a preschool, and helped HIV-positive and AIDS victims. Throughout this time, Mark also repeatedly visited remote villages in Madagascar, starting several sustainable micro-business concepts for the Malagasy people.
After living and working in South Africa for seven years, Mark and his family returned to the United States to become a voice for those in need. Mark has overseen various development projects in over thirty countries, worked as an Executive Director of World Impact and began what is now Across Borders. Mark believes many suffer in silence, yet we all hold the power to help others re-establish a better quality of life, a sense of hope, and their right to experience joy in living.
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