I first want to thank all of you who have contributed generously to Global Volunteers as a result of the email I sent out at the end of last year. It is my understanding that many of you reached into your pockets and shared what you could afford to give at the time, so please know that it made a difference. One donation was for $3.00, which was enough to purchase lunch for a young child in Senchi Ferry, Ghana for over a month.

For this, I am most grateful! I therefore want to tell you about my first service program to Senchi Ferry, Ghana because it has so completely changed my life.

I've just returned from a three-week service program to this remarkable, charming village, so I know a child who has received the gift of lunch for a month. You may recall that I have had the good fortune of serving with Global Volunteers for close to 20 years, and have experienced the beauty and kindness of villages from all over the world. But unlike any other place on the earth, Senchi Ferry has truly captured my heart.

While the village is poor, according to our standards of material wealth, they are richer in joy, community, love of life and spirituality than any other community I have had the pleasure to visit. These are dancing, laughing and sharing people! I had the distinct honor of teaching in the kindergarten/first grade class for over three delightful weeks. These beautiful children had no books, no paper, no crayons…..all they had was a blackboard and a willing teacher. Yet, they were eager and bright and hungry for any scrap of knowledge I could pass along to their open and thirsty minds.

Each morning they would come running at top speed across the grassy field in front of the school with their enthusiastic greetings and warm shining smiles. Thanks to the material I had received from Global Volunteers before my departure, I had brought paper and crayons along with several books; so they gulped down each project that I presented and demonstrated more talent, brightness and enthusiasm for learning than I have ever witnessed.

Everyone on my team agreed that Senchi Ferry is a very special place. You can read more about our team on the Ghana blog here. It's true, we gained so much more than we gave, as summed up by my team mate:

"I have found, as we all have, that the Ghanaian children are filled with enthusiasm and zest for learning. The children love to touch and be touched. How better to express our hope and dreams for the next generation."
- Lucy Mohler

Check 2009 Service Program Dates

We Gave Our Hearts to the Children
I also learned during my service that most of these children would only attend school through eighth grade, as high school costs $300 to $500 per year. As the average family income is $50 per month, you can see the financial barrier to higher learning that these youngsters face. With the setback of limited education comes the setback to a future of opportunity and choice and this breaks my heart.

I've since collaborated with Global Volunteers to indulge my heart by starting a scholarship fund for the children of this special village, within the established Child and Classroom Sponsorship Program guidelines offering financial support to other host communities around the world. Because Senchi Ferry's leadership has requested assistance for higher education, this program aligns with Global Volunteers' philosophy of service. We'll provide scholarship money to ALL children who are interested and qualified to attend high school. To administer a program that does less than that could potentially divide friends and the community.... not Global Volunteers' legacy.


I'm completely aligned with this philosophy and have created a fund to accommodate all interested and qualified children. And, I have committed to raising enough money each year to accommodate the scholarship requirements of all interested and qualified children (qualified refers to the state’s requirement of passing an entrance exam).

Please visit my website at: www.ghanascholarship.com to learn more about the Ghana Scholarship Fund and view a video of the children who so desperately need your generosity or email me at hubbard.ismail@gmail.com. Remember, every dollar that you can spare contributes to a gifted child who has demonstrated the right to a brighter future. Of course, your personal contribution of time and talent is greatly needed. If you're able to join a team this year, please review the many ways you can contribute on a Ghana service program.

While we all have to tighten our belts to survive these difficult economic times, and have witnessed friends and/or loved ones facing unprecedented challenges, I believe that the American spirit is strong and resilient and that we will arrive at a new day of prosperity. It is also my belief that by helping developing countries educate their next generation, the monies spent by the US on financial aid will dwindle, since these developing nations will be educated enough to take care of themselves.

Call your Volunteer Coordinator for program information at 800-487-1074
or visit Global Volunteers' website at www.globalvolunteers.org/ghana