Operation GroundSwell
Operation GroundSwell is Project Equity's first Development Initiative,
targeting rural communities in Ghana, Africa. All the projects we intend
to implement were launched at the request and alongside the efforts of
the community. The project is split into two parts:
1) A Development Initiative consisting of 4 sub-projects:
- Building a School - Horizons Children's Centre
(HCC) currently runs a program in Sandema, Ghana, that takes orphans
off the street, feeds, clothes, and shelters them, and provides them
with a highschool education. Upon graduation at age 18, they also
recieve help in finding employment. This program truly represents
a 180 degree turnaround for the life prospects of these children.HCC
has been running this program very successfully for a number of years
and is currently looking to expand its quality & quantity, foremost
with the construction of a new building. Our fundraised help goes
directly and solely to that construction.
- Secondary/Post-Secondary Scholarships for Females
- HCC is launching this new program in partnership with Project Equity,
to sponsor annual tuition for deserving females in Ghana. Without
our help, these doors would never become open to them. The skills
they will acquire will allow them access to high-quality employment
opportunities, & are key tools in rising permanently from poverty.
- Clean Water Well - Larabanga, a 6000 person community
in northern Ghana currently uses a nearby, unfiltered pond for the
large majority of their water needs. These include cooking water,
showering, and agricultural irrigation. For a little over $1 per person,
we can provide them with a new, clean water well, and the training
to use & maintain it for years to come.
- Eco-Tourism MicroLoan - Larabanga lives communally
and currently has no community revenue. Situation just a few kilometres
from Tamale National Park (one of Ghana's busiest tourist centres),
every tourist passes through the community but has to find ways to
get from Larabanga to the park, as well as within the park. Larabanga
requests a loan large enough to purchase 20-25 bicycles, so they can
set up a bike rental service. Revenues would go toward community infrastructure
development, and would benefit the whole town. Our fundraised loan
would be given incrementally and conditionally (based upon step-by-step
achievement) and would be interest free.
2) The Ghana Experience Trip
- This summer (mid-May to end-June), 12-15 university students will
partake in a lifetime experience. As a group they will travel to Ghana,
where for 4 weeks they will see these development initiatives through,
including helping with the construction of the Sandema school. A major
focus of the trip will be on exploring development opportunities &
methods, and the group will democratically decide how to utilize a
Development Fund in their hands.
The last 2 weeks will give participants the opportunity for individual travel. During this time, they are not under the auspices of Project Equity/The Lotus Kids, and are free to do as they wish. We will provide participants with lists of location/facility suggestions, as well as useful contacts & emergency facilities.
For an outline of the trip, click
here. To download an Operation GroundSwell Application Form, click
here. If you would like to help or any more information feel free
to contact the coordinator of the project, David Berkal at dberkal@projectequity.org.
