From Ghana to Graduation - A Dream for a Better Future

Meet Desmond Agyei

Desmond is an amazing young man! He grew up in Accra, Ghana sharing a modest one-room home with his mother and two brothers. Their quarters had no running water, a leaking metal roof and intermittent electricity at best. To support his family Desmond woke up daily at 4am to help his mom sell fish in the local market, all before school started. He learned about American football from TV and online and fell in love with the sport. The challenge was, American football was hard to find in Ghana. And for that reason he often rode his bike for 2 hours to practice with a makeshift team.

To the U.S.

In 2019, while online Desmond saw a story about Coach Lowe who then was a high school football coach in Kansas City. Desmond reached out to Coach Lowe sharing his dream of one day studying in the US and playing American football. The two stayed in touch, Coach offering advice and encouraging words and Desmond never missing any opportunity to get better.

In 2022, that dream became a possibility when Coach Lowe accepted the position as head football coach at Rancho Christian School (RCS) in Temecula, California. Coach Lowe saw an opportunity to help get Desmond to the US with the support of the Rancho Christian community and school. With the help of many people combined with Desmond's tenacity he arrived in the US on September 8, 2022. He went to his first high school football game two days later and started school the following Monday.

In addition to a supportive coach and school, Desmond found a host family in the Roy’s who have two boys of their own attending RCS. Tina, Sean, Ben and Blake Roy welcomed Desmond into their home. The Roy’s will never forget the first day Desmond arrived. He was overwhelmed when he realized he had his own bed, and through tears said “I have never had a pillow.”

When Desmond arrived in the US, he had a financial sponsor who helped with some of Desmond’s living and school expenses. Unfortunately, his sponsor withdrew his support after 8 months. The Roy’s and the generous Rancho community have stepped in to fill that gap to ensure that Desmond had everything he needed to graduate high school.

Desmond has made the most of this opportunity taking nothing for granted. He played football his Junior and Senior years and graduated on June 6th with a 3.89 GPA. While at RCS, Desmond was an active member of the student leadership team and is loved by teachers and students alike.

What’s next

Desmond is a focused, tenacious young man and a loving son and brother. He wants nothing more than to lift his family out of poverty. He is ready to work hard to provide his mom and brothers with safe and sanitary living conditions and ensure his younger brother is able to continue his education.

Desmond’s hard work to-date has paid off. He has been accepted into California State University Chico where he will study Engineering. Due to his determination and academic success, Desmond has received a small scholarship and will have a part-time job waiting for him on campus that will help offset some of his tuition, which is higher for international students. Additionally, Desmond is ineligible for federal student aid.

How you can help

We are hoping you will rally around Desmond - a truly amazing young man - and help him attend college! It is no exaggeration to say that your support of Desmond will transform not only his life, but also his Mom’s and brothers’ lives!

Please help us raise $26,040, which will cover the remaining costs of his first year of college!

If we aren’t able to raise $26,040, Desmond will have to return to Ghana, as he is in the US on a student visa. His visa will expire in 60 days, if he is not able to pay for the full tuition at Cal State Chico by August 1, 2024. Desmond’s college options are severely limited in Ghana, and it is not a sure thing that he will be able to continue his education if he is forced to return. More likely, Desmond will have to find a job to help his family with basic living expenses and his education will likely be delayed indefinitely.

Here’s how we get to the $26,040 figure:

First Year of College Expenses

Tuition -$18,490- international non resident

Fees -$ 3,100

Housing -$ 8,570

Meals -$ 3,250

Health insurance -$ 1,200 (required for international)

Incidentals -$ 2,000

TOTAL EXPENSES - $36,610

Aid Secured

Scholarship -$2,000

Housing -$8,570

TOTAL AID SECURED $10,570

TOTAL TO RAISE $26,040

Thank you for your consideration!! We appreciate any level of support, and hope that you will also forward this to your friends, family and colleagues who might also be inspired to contribute to Desmond’s dream of attaining a college education!

Final note:

If we aren't able to raise the total funds needed, we will refund your donation.