SANKOFA MENTOR

("San" - to return; "Ko" - to go; "Fa" - to look, to seek and take)

PEACE TO ALL READING THIS!

*Sankofa Part 2: The Comeback*

I'm going back to Ghana again! Part two will be on another level. I am focusing on health and sports program for youth. Grateful for the support and please follow the journey!

Last time, I worked with the International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) by spending 8 weeks as a volunteer. As a independent volunteer, I am given the opportunity to SANKOFA or in order words go back and apply the wisdom forgotten and use it to build a generation of social change agents. My passion is to be a youth mentor.  My personal goal in the SANKOFA MENTOR journey is to EMPOWER  youth to strive and be the L.I.G.H.T, which entails: LOVE, INVEST, GIVE, HOPE, THERAPY. Here are examples of the Sankofa curriculum workshops:

1. Mediation: inhale positivity, exhale negativity 

2. Hand shake reflection: what did you learn today?

3. What is your Ghanian West African name  

4. Financial Literacy:  mankala,  personal budgeting, dress for success

5. Community services: street clean up, Public Service Announcement (PSA)

6. Art/dance:  drawing, spoke word/drum circles 

7. Health Service: Hygiene and health foods

Your support will help me fund the resources to support myself and empower youth. We can take this journey together and hopefully come to a better understanding of what it means to live the philosophy of "Sankofa," to "go back and fetch what we've forgotten".

If you can support me in anyway, either financially ($) or spiritually (ASHE), I am forever appreciative. THANK YOU!

_____________________________________

“You must reach back to reclaim that which is lost in order to move forward” The “Sankofa” is a metaphorical symbol used by the Akan people of Ghana, generally depicted as a bird with its head turned backward taking an egg from its back. It expresses the importance of reaching back to knowledge gained in the past and bringing it into the present in order to make positive progress.

COUNTRY/ ISSUE FACTS: Ghana (Sub-Saharan West Africa)

• Time zone: UTC+00:00

• GDP (US$): $47.93 billion (Income level Lower middle income) 2013

• Population: 25.37 million

• Official languages: English

• Currency: Ghanaian Cedi (GHS)

• Capital: Accra

In its 2013-14 report, the World Economic Forum ranked Ghana 46th out of 148 countries for education system quality. The female and male ages 15–24 years literacy rate in Ghana was 81% in 2010, with males at 82%, and females at 80%. An estimated 630,000 primary school age (6–11 years) children are still missing from classrooms.The education system uses 90 per cent of its budget on salaries, leaving little for other critical needs. In addition, high rates of youth unemployment and social disparities heighten the dangers of social tension.

_______________________________________

SPORTS TEACHING

As a volunteer on this project, I shall work with youth in a local soccer club called Bright Star Academy in Frankadua, Ghana. I hope by working with coach and staff to help develop their interest in a range of sports and help in developing the mental discipline, alertness and coordination. The Sports Teaching project will generally involve physical training, teaching the youth how to work as a team, bringing the best out in the players, and encouraging youth to have self-confidence.

Football/soccer is a popular sport in Ghana, I hope to raise funds to renew the playground for youth in Frankadua, Ghana.

If you would like any further information or have any questions about SANKOFA MENTOR please e-mail:

[email redacted] and I will be happy to give more information.

_______________________________________
Expenses:

Plane tickets (dates December to January), transportation, VISA, Vaccination, and health insurance costs.

_______________________________________
RISK & CHALLENGES:

Equipping existing project with the necessary learning resources such as reading and writing materials, lanterns, shoes, sports tools, and snacks.

Build alliances with networks in education, health, human rights, governance and policy.

Humbling myself and learning to let go of disappointmentsa in this journey of SANKOFA!

Time & Cultural Difference:

It has been over 10 years since I have traveled back home to Ghana, I look forward to reconnecting with my African roots. I have family members in case on emergence. STAY POSITIVE! ALWAYS!