Charity's Children

Hi everyone, I am writing this GoFundMe on behalf of the most generous person I know, my mother, Charity. Fitting, but yes, that’s actually her name.

After a long career as an educator in Canada, my mom retired, moved back to Ghana, and immediately wanted to give back. So, she started a school to help educate children in her local community. She was blown away by the need for quality, safe, affordable education.

Despite my siblings and I advising my mother to relax and enjoy her retirement, she was, in her words, ``called to give back” to her community. Since the school’s inception, she entirely self-financed it, often at a financial loss, to give the children a chance at a first-rate education.

Then it happened just like it happened to all of us…Covid-19. While covid-19 was bad in North America, it was disastrous for Ghanaian families and educators. My mom’s school, Crestwood Ghana, had to employ strict safety measures at significant costs to ensure the children and families were always safe.

Keeping the school open had so many challenges at that time that it’s hard to mention them. Making sure that there were enough thermometers to check temperatures, gallons of sanitizer for hands, ppe for staff, washing stations for visitors, specialty items for assisting disabled or multi-need children in keeping safe, and much more.

During this same time, my mother’s husband (my father), Charles, started having some pains in his mid section. While still managing the school, she was able to take him to and from medical appointments to find out what was going on.

Finally, after a few months, they noticed a tumour, and he had a minor procedure to remove it. We thought we were out of the woods.

Unfortunately, a couple of months later, he started having some pains again, and when they investigated further, the cancer had spread. To the shock of us all, he passed away less than two months later.

This was a devastating blow to my mother. This was her husband of almost 50 years. He was the fuel that enabled my mother to charge on in every aspect of her life. With the shocking loss of her partner, plus the staggering funeral costs, most thought my mom would have to close the school.

And if that's what you thought, then you don’t know Charity Agyei – Amoama. Not only is she not closing the school she wants to meet the demand of families to expand the school and dedicate the new building structure to her Husband (and my dad) Charles. Who was known for his community involvement and tremendous generosity.

As exciting as this declaration sounds, there is a major issue that nobody could have anticipated at this time. Ghana is currently in a financial crisis. Ghana’s currency (the Cedi) is currently the worst-performing currency in the world.

Rampant inflation is making it almost utterly unbearable for many to survive. Costs of things have doubled and tripled in the last few months alone.

My mother is facing significant challenges, but her faith in God, faith in her community, and her faith in the resilient school children have provided her with the energy and conviction to press on.

The good book says, “For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.” My Mom has been called by the highest source to serve these children.

With your donations, we can build an actual school building.

Currently, the classrooms are being held in my mother's guest rooms. If we don’t build more classrooms, kids from the graduating class will need to find a new school (with some getting separated from their siblings).

The money will also be spent on a school bus needed to pick up kids who can’t walk the 1km distance from the main road or further away. In addition, a playground set is necessary so children can lose themselves in fun during recess and playtime.

With your help, we can change the course of the children and their families. When you elevate young minds, you empower change amongst the family, then the larger community.

An old African proverb says it takes a village to raise a child. By donating to Crestwood school Ghana, you elevate that child to be a leader. You are empowering them to become an agent of change for more than just their family. You are co-creating an environment that will change the fabric of that community.

Trust, Integrity, and Accountability are the values the school was founded upon, and they continue to exist no matter the environment. Please help Crestwood school Ghana serve the local children of North Legon, Ghana.

By donating to the new building dedicated to the memory of my late father, Charles Agyei-Amoama (who passed a year ago this week), you will breathe new life into the school, and his presence will be felt forever.

As a loyal community activist, he believed it was only through the proper education of our children that we could see real change in our communities.

No pressure to donate, but if you could, we would certainly appreciate it. It’s the good people like yourself that make our world one of hope and possibility.

Sincerely,

Kofi Amoama