This is a documentary on a family of women who sell porridge. There were a few setbacks in making it – many of them came from my poor film-making abilities. The family was also very camera shy. They were most comfortable speaking Twi during the Q&A portion, so we did our best with the subtitles. Please take a few minutes to watch and consider my proposition below the video. Also, sorry about the terrible film quality – it’s the best I can do with the connection in Ghana. This will be the last time I try to upload a 5min+ video here…

Why Am I Asking You To Give Money To This Family?

Over the past five weeks, I have been spending a lot of time with Jennifer, Afia, Akosua, and the many children that seem to be enrolled in an unofficial daycare center at their house. Since being introduced to them, I have felt like another member of the family. They don’t have much, but they regularly invite me into their home and cook for me. They have repeatedly invited me to stay with them even though I don’t know where I would fit come bedtime (I have not tried this out yet).

As I wrote in an earlier post, many Ghanaians will approach me seeking money or a pass to America. In the five weeks that I’ve known them, Jennifer, Afia, and Akosua, have not asked me for money nor have they asked about travelling to America. They are industrious and determined, and I have yet to hear them complain about anything.

They don’t know I’m doing this, but I’m asking you to make a small donation to this family of hard-working ladies. Here are the reasons:

1. The sob story.

The father has passed away. They are being evicted from their house (because it is made of clay and deteriorating). They recently took in a three year old girl (her mother had a stroke), and have another mouth to feed. Jennifer has missed semesters of school (she attends a school for catering and management) because the family has been unable to afford the school fees at the time. And Afia has not begun her seamstress aprenticeship, because she does not have enough money to buy or rent a sewing machine.

2. I can assure you the money will be put to good use.

I have studied these women over the past five weeks. I have not met people more hard-working and ambitious. Jennifer wants to finish school, Afia wants to become a seamstress, and mom wants to import gari (a type of ground cassava that sells well in the neighborhood) from Togo – it is cheaper to buy there and they could potentially make a good profit from selling this in addition to porridge. Currently they are living day-to-day, buying their ingredients on credit, and earning enough to have the bare necessities. A donation would help them secure their future.

3. I can give my money to a high-functioning ngo that will help more people, why help one family?

It’s true there are a number of ngo’s worth giving to, and they can reach more people. If you donate to this family, however, I can guarantee the money will be used wisely and it will in no way be compromised by bureaucracy or any overhead costs. I have spent five weeks screening the potential recipients of your money and I know they want nothing more than to realize their ambitions, and they are willing to work tirelessly to do so. I believe in them and I know they will seize the opportunity.

Please consider clicking this link. It will take you to a secure site where you can enter in credit card information to donate an amount of your choosing. 100% of the money you give will go to a deserving and enterprising family. If money is too tight then consider sharing this with someone. Thanks, Phil

**Update** Couple of notes. You don’t need a paypal account to give money. When you click the donate button scroll down to the lower left. You should see a “pay with credit card” option. Click continue.

Second thing, some people have asked what the money is going to be used for.
1. Jennifer and Felicity’s school fees
2. A sewing machine for Afia
3. Money to import Gari to start a second business (this would effectively secure the family’s future and provide jobs to other people)

This site does not receive that many visitors. It’s mainly friends and family. If you could throw in $5 or $10 that would be awesome. I will keep you updated on the progress of donations – I’m leaving Accra in a week and will be handing the money over to the family before then. Donation button below. Thanks again, Phil

I’m no longer taking donations, because I’m leaving Accra! Thanks to everyone that contributed!