In 2016, I met Raphael at an orphanage in Ghana. His parents could not afford to feed all of his brothers and sisters, and left him at the orphanage when he was born. Studying in the United States has been Raphael’s lifelong dream, and he has come a long way since I met him. He just passed his first year at Calvin University in Michigan with strong grades and is currently working hard at a nearby hotel. The road to this major achievement was not easy. Raphael had to be accepted to a top high school in Ghana and complete it with high grades. A unique accomplishment for an orphan in Ghana. This allowed him to apply to foreign universities and led him to Calvin University. Raphael loves his classes, has been making friends, has actively been participating in several church communities, and is developing new skills every day. Without the help he received from all of you to finance his first university year (we raised $26.000 and secured several scholarships), this would not have been possible. After university, Raphael plans on improving healthcare around the world as a biomedical engineer.

Unfortunately, university remains very expensive. Raphael has already been awarded the maximum scholarship of $35.000 for his second year at Calvin University, but still has to pay an additional $29.000. At the University, Raphael has been able to get two jobs to contribute to his tuition for the 2026-2027 academic year. As the funding gap is still so significant, we are asking for your help again. We need to raise $17.000 so Raphael can continue his education in his second year and continue his efforts to become a biomedical engineer. Raphael intends to use the money for his tuition, room, food, books, and health insurance. Thank you so much for anything you can do to help. We are both so grateful!

Please donate something to help Rafael. Thank you so much. You are changing his life, and we are very grateful!

Please share this page with friends, family, and anybody else that you think might be willing to help Raphael.

“I have had a tough life, but I am grateful for all the opportunities that have come my way.”

— Raphael Andoh

The Journey So Far

✔️ Acceptance to Calvin University confirmed

✔️ The maximum scholarship secured ($35,000)

✔️ U.S. student visa approved

✔️ $26,000 raised for freshman year

✔️ Passed the first semester with strong grades

__ Still to be raised $17,000 for his sophomore year

Raphael in Michigan

Raphael and Max, during Max's visit to Ghana, November 2024

U can also use Venmo or Dutch bank transfer if you prefer. (It also skips the 3% GoFundMe fees)

The accounts are under Max's name, but all donations go 100% to Raphael

The long story

In 2016, I met Raphael at an orphanage in Ghana. Raphael was 12 years old. He loved to play soccer, was super energetic, and already spoke Ghanese, English, and French. What made Raphael stand out for me at that time was that even though the orphanage was always short of food, clothes, toys, and just about everything, Raphael was kind and was always considerate of other people. For example, the first time I met Raphael was when we were handing out toys, clothes, and other things that the orphanage needed. All of the other children came running with their arms out to get the toys. Then, they would run back to their beds and turn around to come back for more. Raphael was the only one who stood there with us, giving toys to the other orphans to make sure that everybody got something.

Raphael at 12 years old, when he met Max

Raphael works really hard. In junior high, he earned the award as best student of the school. Five years ago, Raphael did the impossible by getting accepted into one of the top high schools in Ghana, Mfantsipim Senior High. This is a unique accomplishment for anyone in Ghana, and especially for an orphan. In his senior year, he was even selected as class representative. Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the United Nations, and Kofi Busia, former prime minister of Ghana, both graduated from Mfantsipim. Both of these leaders went on to university in the United States and England. And then on to greater accomplishments. Raphael is inspired by these leaders. That is why he would like to get the best possible education and dreams of becoming a biomedical engineer who can help the world.

After high school graduation, Raphael applied to and was accepted at six different universities. He chose Calvin University in Michigan because of its high-quality engineering department, the experience they have with students from Ghana and the alignment with Raphael’s religion. Among others, he’s taking engineering, chemistry, publicspeaking and writing classes. At Calvin University, Raphael has had so many new experiences. Education at the highest level, a completely new culture and food and establishing new friendships. He saw leaves change color, snow fall for the first time and experienced -30C (-22F) temperatures. At the same time, he has been working incredibly hard for his classes and getting good grades. He has been actively participating in several church communities, and he has two part-time jobs to cover some of his expenses.

Raphael at Calvin University, August 2025

I’ve known Raphael for the last 9 years, and I still see the same amazing young man I met in 2016. In Ghana, he continued to give back and was one of the primary caretakers for all the kids at the orphanage. While he was in school, in his free time, he made the 4-hour trip each way to return to the orphanage to help whenever he could. When he graduated from high school, he spent all his time studying for the SATs, applying to universities, and giving back to the orphanage. Now at Calvin, Raphael studies incredibly hard, works to contribute, and makes time for his friends in Michigan and in Ghana. Raphael tries to be a role model for the kids and pushes them to study and work hard.

Over the past 9 years, I have been able to support Raphael financially to get him through high school. With the help of many friends, family, scholarships and generous donors, Raphael was able to finance his first year of university in the USA. The second year of his bachelor’s degree in the USA will start in September, but we can’t afford it alone. So we are asking for your help again. Please donate something to help Rafael. And please share this with friends, family, and anybody else that you think might be willing to help. Thank you so much. You are changing his life and we are both so grateful!

What Your Donation Covers

- $20 – A day of food on the meal plan

- $50 – A (used) book for one class

- $150 – A week of food

- $600 – One month of housing

- $1500 – Health insurance for a semester

- $6700 – Remaining tuition

Any amount helps - more than you know.

Raphael in his high school uniform

Raphaels story

My name is Raphael Andoh. I’m 22 years old and grew up in an orphanage in Ghana. My parents could not afford to feed all of my brothers and sisters and left me at the orphanage when I was born. When I was 12, I met Max when he was on a high school trip to bring clothes and help at the orphanage. At the orphanage, I helped with teaching, cooking, coaching, dancing, singing, and praying with the younger kids. In many ways, I have been lucky. I have had a roof over my head and food to eat. Not every child in Ghana has that. And I am lucky that I met Max, who has helped support me for the last 8 years to get into high school, pay for my tuition, books, and, when I couldn’t afford it, food. Max has given me the opportunity to get a good education and help others.

I have seen many of my friends die from curable diseases and injuries. That is why I want to be one of the best biomedical engineers and help to improve healthcare in Ghana. To do this, I need to attend a good university and get the best possible education. I hope I can help people around the world.

Over the last years, and with Max’s help, I have been fortunate to be sponsored and get enough money to pay for high school. With scholarships and donations, I have had the opportunity to attend Calvin University. But even with the maximum scholarships, a very tight budget and two part-time jobs, the cost is beyond my reach. I hope you will support me. I hope someday I can help people in the same way.

Instagram: raph andoh

Please share this with friends, family, and anybody else that you think might be willing to help Raphael.

Some photos and videos

Raphael teaching at the orphanage

Raphael (left) coaching football at the orphanage

Raphael (in the back) with some of the kids in the orphanage

Raphael in class at Calvin University

The accounts are under Max's name, but all donations go 100% to Raphael