Episode 17

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Published on:

30th Aug 2026

100,000 Children Rescued from Slavery with Sarah Kelley

***This Episode***

In this episode of Civically Grown, Sarah Kelley, CEO of Set Free (setfreealliance.org), shares how the organization is transforming lives by rescuing over 100,000 children from slavery and expanding access to clean water and medical care around the world.

Sarah reflects on how church leadership, Clemson rugby, and a challenging week at Asbury Hills summer camp shaped her into a flexible servant leader. She also discusses moving beyond perfectionism and micromanagement to trust her team and lead through others.

The conversation explores the connection between unsafe water, medical debt, and child slavery, as well as how Set Free’s local partners rescue children from rock quarries and help them rebuild trust, autonomy, and hope.

Sarah also explains why leaders need trusted communities where they can be vulnerable and supported. She describes her leadership as an oak tree, rooted in strong values, investment in people, and steadiness.

In this episode, you will hear about:

  • How Sarah’s youth experiences shaped her servant leadership
  • Why empowering others makes organizations stronger
  • The connection between medical debt and child slavery
  • How rescued children begin rebuilding trust and hope
  • Why leaders need community, vulnerability, and accountability
  • Why Sarah describes her leadership as an oak tree

***Guest Bio***

Sarah Kelley is a Greenville, South Carolina native with a passion for people, the outdoors, and sharing the love of Jesus. After graduating from Clemson University with a degree in Philosophy, she began her ministry journey at Asbury Hills, a Christian summer camp in Upstate South Carolina, where she developed a foundation for leadership, service, and faith that continues to shape her work today.

As CEO of Set Free, a Greenville-based nonprofit organization, Sarah leads efforts to rescue children from slavery, provide access to clean water and medical care, and plant churches across Southeast Asia, West Africa, and beyond.

Under her leadership, the organization has recently reached major milestones, including 100,000 children rescued from slavery and 1,000 wells drilled in Southeast Asia by 2025. In spring 2025, Set Free funded one of the organization's largest rescues, freeing 4,898 children enslaved in rock quarries.

When she’s not traveling overseas, or meeting with donors, Sarah enjoys spending time with her firefighter husband, Robbie, and their two children, Sawyer and Emerson. Sarah is an avid reader, completing more than 100 books each year, continually seeking growth, wisdom, and fresh perspective in both life and leadership.

***Show Host***

Dr. Shaniece Criss

***About The Podcast***

From youth leadership to enduring community impact, Civically Grown highlights changemakers who have turned early civic action into meaningful legacies. A new episode is released monthly on YouTube and all major podcast platforms: https://civicallygrown.captivate.fm/.

#CivicallyGrown #Leadership #ChildSlavery #ServantLeadership #NonprofitLeadership

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About the Podcast

Civically Grown
Where changemakers share the roots of their leadership and the impact they’re cultivating today.

Civically Grown shares the stories of leaders whose early steps in civic engagement began in youth leadership and have grown into legacies of lasting community impact. Dr. Shaniece Criss, a former youth governor turned health scholar and public servant, hosts this podcast. It is your source for inspiration, insight, and actionable strategies that fuel your momentum and amplify your influence.

Each episode blends uplifting conversations with tools to help you overcome obstacles, strengthen your leadership, and spark meaningful change. Whether you’re looking to deepen your impact or build a lasting legacy, Civically Grown equips you to grow as a leader and empower the next generation. Join a community of passionate changemakers committed to making a difference that endures.

About your host

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Dr. Shaniece Criss

Dr. Shaniece Criss is a civic leader and podcast host who believes in the power of community to drive meaningful change. At Furman University, she serves as Associate Professor of Health Sciences and Director of the Advocacy and Social Policy master's program. Her career spans local and global impact, from producing a national health television program in Guyana during her Peace Corps service to roles at the CDC, ICF International, and CNN. She earned degrees from Harvard University (ScD, MPA), Emory University (MPH), and Oglethorpe University (BA). Dr. Criss brings experience, optimism, and authenticity to every conversation.