Category Archives: Ghana

Flashback: A Virtual Trip to Ghana

We are fortunate enough to be able to give back. And we encourage our kids to think and act both locally as well as globally. It’s amazing when those two things intersect.

Mara and a group of her friends often do service projects in the local area. This has included volunteering at the local animal shelter, walking dogs at a senior living facility, making cards and cookies for those same residents, and doing yard work for Hillcrest Ministries.

In the fall of 2010, another opportunity presented itself. One that we all still talk about months later. Brad Gautney, President – Global Health Innovations, gave a presentation to Mara’s group on work that they do around the world. On this particular October afternoon, the kids learned about malaria and the Under the Net campaign (which is much like the Nothing but Nets campaign highlighted in Bill Gates’ 2011 annual letter).

Under a Net (untreated)

They also heard stories of orphans in Ghana that needed surgeries – surgeries that Brad and his team would perform. These are kids that have a much better life in an orphanage than in the slavery and child trafficking they lived in before. These are kids that have never seen a birthday or get well card – let alone received one addressed to them.

Brad has their undivided attention

Until now. Personalized get well cards plus donations of small toys and magazines for Brad to take on his November trip to Ghana. Small, yes. Meaningful, absolutely.

Jen

P.S. – Brad has an undeniable passion and devotion to improving the health around the globe one village at a time.  He has provided ongoing updates on Ghana and the impact that the kids’ work has had.  You can get involved here.