Ghana Trip: March 13.

Rachel and some of the boys at the Village of Hope Orphanage.

As previously mentioned, eight phenomenal women journeyed to Ghana to evaluate the progress being made in the Touch A Life programs located there. For the next couple of days, I'll post recaps of our adventures on the blog.

We'll start with Friday, March 13. After nearly two days of traveling, the members of the Touch A Life team (consisting of Pam Cope, Emily George, Rachael Wise, Tara Seidman, Leah Cypert, Dana Rector, Sherri Gaskie and myself) were thrilled to get settled in at the Village of Hope Orphanage in Gomoa-Fetteh, Ghana. Friday was Pam's birthday, and what better way to celebrate this incredible woman's life than by spending time with some amazing kids? 

The morning began with a Freedom Stones meeting. Leah Cypert started a foundation that provides at-risk women and children with vocational training in hopes of teaching them a trade while also stimulating their local economies. Specifically, Leah purchases beads made in local markets and teaches her students how to create beautiful jewelry. In Ghana, there is a huge market for this; local Ghanaian factories make unique beads out of recycled glass bottles. Leah seeks to implement her ideas within the Ghanaian community, and specifically within Touch A Life's sphere of influence. The meeting informed the house moms (the women who live with the children at the Village of Hope) of the opportunities they have to get plugged in with this ministry.

In the afternoon, the Touch A Life team members met with two colleagues from Beacon House, an orphanage in Accra (the capital of Ghana). Touch A Life is continually seeking to solidify collaborative efforts with other non-profit groups, and we appreciate being aligned with a great cause like Beacon House. 

The rest of the day was spent enjoying time with the children at the Village of Hope. All of the kids, including the 21 the Touch A Life Foundation has rescued, are incredible. Their circumstance does not determine their joy. It was particularly joyfu

l for me to reconnect with the children there since I had met most of them in August while serving at the Children's Art Village camp. Pam and Rachael were also in attendance during that week in August, and it was so much fun for the three of us to cherish memories we'd made together six months ago. The children welcomed us back with open arms, and were so excited to meet new friends as well. 

Pam with Macho, one of the 21 rescued by the Touch A Life Foundation.

Boys being boys at the Village of Hope Orphanage.

Rachel