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My name is Raphael, and I grew up in an orphanage in Ghana. My parents could not afford to feed all my brothers and sisters, so they left me at the orphanage when I was a few weeks old. Studying in the United States has been my lifelong dream, and I have come a long way. I just passed my first semester at Calvin University in Michigan with strong grades and am currently working hard for my second semester. The road here was not easy. I 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 me to apply to foreign universities and led me to Calvin University.
I love my classes, have been making friends, have actively been participating in several church communities, and am developing new skills every day. Without the help I received from all of you to finance my first university year (we raised $26.000 and secured several scholarships), this would not have been possible. After university, I plan on improving healthcare around the world as a biomedical engineer.
Unfortunately, university remains very expensive. I have already been awarded the maximum scholarship of $35.000 for my second year at Calvin University, but I still have to raise an additional $29.000. At the University, I have been able to get a job to contribute to my 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 $29.000 so I can continue my education in my second year and continue my efforts to become a biomedical engineer. I will use the money for my tuition, room, food, books, and health insurance. Thank you so much for anything you can do to help. I am so grateful!
Please donate something to help. Thank you so much. You are changing my life, and I am very grateful!
Please share this page with friends, family, and anybody else that you think might be willing to help.
“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 $29,000 for his sophomore year
Raphael in Michigan in autumn
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
The first 12 years of my life, I spent at the orphanage. For two years during junior high school, I lived with a foster family. I woke up at 4 AM to clean the house and cook. I tried to leave for school before my foster father woke up. While my foster mother was sweet, my foster father did not like me. When he was mad, he would deny me food or the right to go to school. He said I was studying too much and not helping enough in the house. School was my safe space. I loved learning and stayed as late as possible. The teachers and students helped and gave me food when my foster father refused to let me eat. I love all science classes and would continue studying in my bed under my blankets so my foster father would not see. I work hard in school and believe a good education will allow me to improve the world. In junior high, I earned the award as best student of the school, and afterwards, I could move back to the orphanage.
Raphael at 12 years old. (Photo taken by Max)
Then, five years ago, I got 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. It was a boarding school a few hours away, but I could not afford it without help. I was lucky that Max, a young man from Amsterdam who is not much older than I, sponsored my school and food. I’ve also spent most of my life helping others. Teaching, cooking, mentoring the younger children at the orphanage, and at the same time, working hard in school to build a future. While I was in high school, when possible, I made the 4-hour trip each way to return to the orphanage to teach and care for the other orphans. In my senior year, I was 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. I am inspired by these leaders. That is why I would like to get the best possible education and dream of becoming a biomedical engineer who can help the world.
Raphael in his high school uniform
At the orphanage, when other kids were sick, I would walk to the doctor to get help. In Ghana, access to doctors, good healthcare, and medicine is not a given. Sadly, it isn’t always possible to get medicine for everyone. This is one of the biggest reasons I want to study biomedical engineering. I want to be part of the solution so that more people can get the care that they need. I am now 22 years old, and I dream of becoming a biomedical engineer. I want to improve healthcare in Ghana and beyond.
After high school graduation, I applied to and was accepted at six different universities. I chose Calvin University in Michigan because of its high-quality engineering department, the experience they have with students from Ghana and the alignment with my religion. Among others, I am taking engineering, chemistry, publicspeaking and writing classes. At Calvin University, I have had so many new experiences. Education at the highest level, a completely new culture and food and establishing new friendships. In Michigan, I was introduced to Midwest hospitality and have already met so many special people. I saw leaves change color, snow fall for the first time and experienced -30C (-22F) temperatures. At the same time, I have been working incredibly hard for my classes and getting good grades. I have been actively participating in several church communities, and have a part-time job to contribute to paying my expenses.
Over the past year and a half, with the support of many generous people and now friends, I have been able to finance my first year of university in the USA. The second year of my bachelor’s degree in the USA will start in September, but I can’t afford it alone. So I am asking for your help again. Please donate something to help. 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 my life and I am 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 at Calvin University
A Message from Max (his sponsor)
In 2016, I met Raphael at his orphanage in Ghana. A teacher from my high school was sponsoring the orphanage and organized a trip for 12 students to help at the orphanage for 10 days. Raphael was just 12 years old. He loved to play soccer, was super energetic, and already spoke Twi, English, and French. But the special thing about Raphael was that even though the orphanage was always short of food, clothes, toys, and just about everything, Raphael was always kind and considerate of other people. For example, the first time I saw Raphael was when we were at the orphanage handing out toys, clothes, and 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 to put the gift away and immediately turn around to get more. Raphael was the only one who stood beside us, giving toys and clothes to the other orphans to make sure that everybody got something, even before he received anything.
In November 2024, I returned to Ghana to visit Raphael, the orphanage, and his high school. Again, I saw his generous and thoughtful personality. Now, as a young man, he continues to set an example for the other orphans and take care of the younger children. For example, using what little money he has, he would buy medicine and food for the other orphans. Raphael is one of those special people who make the world a better place for everyone around him.
"Over the last 9 years, I’ve watched Raphael work harder than anyone I have met. Traveling 4 hours each way to return to the orphanage on weekends and holidays, while he was just a teenager himself, helping younger kids learn, eat, pray, and dream bigger. He helped organize church events, trained and coached soccer teams, and tutored his fellow students, all while working on his own future as well. He’s become a role model not only to them, but to me.”
— Max Carter
Raphael and Max, while visiting in November 2024
Some photos and videos
Raphael (in the back) at the orphanage
Raphael (on the right) at church in Ghana
Raphael teaching at the orphanage
Raphael (on the left) coaching soccer at the orphanage
Raphael in class at Calvin University
The accounts are under Max's name, but all donations go 100% to Raphael
Organizer
Max Carter
Organizer