Hugs for Ghana

Mission Statement: The mission of Hugs for Ghana is to share love, hope, and confidence with Ghana’s youngest citizens so that they can have the ability to make positive contributions in their own communities. Led by a committed group of students, the organization strives to impact communities in Ghana by using and reaching youth, as young people are catalysts of social change. By empowering both volunteers and Ghanaian youth, positive contributions can be made to communities. By receiving a donation or benefiting from an original Hugs for Ghana project, children will be positively impacted and encouraged. 

 

History: Hugs for Ghana was started by my sister, Rachel Bervell in 2007. With the opportunity and resources close at hand, she formulated an organization focused on children, the most vulnerable, yet able individuals, of Ghana, Africa. As a first generation American-Ghanaian herself, my sister was familiar with lifestyles of the many disadvantaged children, and saw her visit to Ghana in the summer of 2007 as a catalyst to serve. During a 14-day period beginning on 29th of May through the 15th of June, my sister organized a drive at Kamiak High School, in Mukilteo Washington State, requesting that students should support the motivation of their peer students, and bring, as a first project, stuffed animals and teddy bears. Because of the charitable goals of Hugs for Ghana, the prospective organization at the time collected over one thousand stuffed animals, which would all encourage the spirit of a Ghanaian child.

 

As my sister went off to college, I decided that I would not let the organization die and instead took up the torch. Throughout my freshman, sophomore and junior years, I enacted school and medical supply drives at my local high school, Kamiak High School. Utilizing myposition as sophomore class president, Joel rallied his high school and encouraged them to donate school supplies, telling them that the supplies would be hand-delivered to Ghanaian children in orphanages, and remote villages. Eventually I was able to raise over 6,000 school supplies and enough money to buy 100 thermometers!

 

Accomplishments:
A Ghanaian Night of Culture: A Hugs for Ghana Fundraising Event (Raised $2,000 the first year and $5,000 the second year!)

The Health Intiative: The Health Initiative was a project dedicated to the collecting and distribution of medical supplies to Ghanaian health facilities. One major focus was to raise funds in order to buy and further distribute basic medical supplies, such as thermometers and blood pressure cuffs. In Ghana, for example, 300 thermometers cost about $25.00 each. Therefore, the support of Hugs for Ghana through the Health Initiative helps in having healthy children and healthy Ghanaian communities.

Project Educate: School Supply Drive: Over 6,000 school supplies collected through a drive held at Kamiak High School.

100 Cents Saves A Life: 100 Cents Saves a Life is a free will donation drive that focused on allowing high school students to donate to Hugs for Ghana throughout their lunches. Donations did not have to be dollar bills, but could be anything as simple as a penny. In fact, students were encouraged to donate coins rather than dollar bills since the goal of this drive was not only to raise money for Hugs for Ghana to buy school supplies and medical supplies for the upcoming Ghana trip, but also to help students realize that there is a world in need beyond their limited view. Students realized that when we work together, it only takes a little to eventually make a difference.

Teddy Bears for Ghana: Raised thousands of teddy bears which were eventually hand delivered to children in Ghana, West Africa.

 

Check out our website! : www.hugsforghana.org