Introduction To My Work

MOTTO: “We Make the Difference Because We Care”

HISTORY

The Foundation of Hope for Children and The Elderly was born some four years ago when I started escorting
some volunteer Canadian Interns around Ghana.

On my travels, I saw so many hardships faced by my fellow Ghanaians that I knew I had to do
something, anything to help. I live in the city, and it might be a bit
easier for me to help the suffering of those in more remote areas who
have little access to knowledge, aid or even the basics of clean water.
Initially I didn't want to be recognized by, or to receive interference
from, any government body. I know that much of the assistance they
should be providing never gets to the right people or supports the right
developmental projects for the truly unfortunate. Sadly, there is great
room for corruption in large organized agencies, not to mention the red
tape and bureaucratic delays that can slow down urgently required
progress.

l had been running the foundation all alone, donating some of the monies I made from my small buying and selling
trade and donating some of my shoes and clothes to the needy. I vividly
recall one of the many trips with Canadian Interns to Western Region of
Ghana to a stilt village, where l gave my shoes to the man who paddled
our canoe because he had none. Slowly some people began to assist me,
devoting their time and work to our cause.

In March, 2008 l talked with this wonderful Canadian woman by the name of Lynda Parker. She is a 60 year old woman who had worked with the Canadian
Government for over 30 years, and is now on a disability pension with
some health problems. l told her all about this peasant foundation that l
have, my ideas, visions and objectives. She didn't hesitate at all but
opened her blessed heart to work with me and offer the necessary
assistance in whatever way she can manage. Since then, Lynda has been
solely donating tremendously to the foundation, everything from clothes
to money for food and transport, hand and face sanitizers, dry soup
mixes and noodles, pencils, mosquito nets, medicines, aluminum rescue
blankets - name them, she gives her all. Bless her heart.
During the course of our chats, Lynda asked if the foundation is registered. When I
said no and gave my reasons, she provided advice and offered all the
financial assistance for the foundation to be registered legally and
recognized both locally and internationally. She felt that our
legitimacy would assist us in gaining supporters.

It hasn't come easily. There was much documentation and expense required, but today, I
can proudly say that with the help of Lynda Parker, the Foundation is
legally registered as a non-government charitable organization as
approved on October 8th, 2008 with Registration No. G-25, 845.

The Objectives for which the Foundation is formed are:

• To feed and cater for the many street children and elderly people in Ghana
• To provide shelter.
• To educate, support and give the necessary skills needed for their daily survival.
• To act as family, guardian and home for the deprived ones.
• To re-integrate them into society by organizing workshops to help them learn to generate income.
• To sensitize them to abstain or refrain from the many social pitfalls
brought about by lives lived in poverty
• To give them a foundation so they can stand on their own two feet in society.
• To educate the elderly about how to tackle abuse and domestic disturbances
• To make a difference in their lives by providing their basic needs, be it
food,water, electricity, health or parental care.
• To organize various activities for the children and elderly people, including sports
workshops.

Vision

One of the main visions of the Foundation is to have its own orphanage in the near future, catering for many children right from infancy. To educate these children and bring them up
to be responsible, letting them know they have somebody who cares, so
that in the future when they become great leaders they look back and
proudly say l am past student of this Foundation.

Another vision is to build and operate Medical Clinics/Centers and Schools well equipped with
modern facilities scattered around the country and having volunteers
from any part of the World coming to Volunteer, teaming up with
Universities for scholarships for children and creating lots of
employment as well. I hope to make this dream a reality someday.

If you can help, why don't you join me?
If you have any information, advice or material you think will help the Foundation, don't keep it to
yourself. Please don't hesitate to contact me, as l am always ever ready
to listen and learn. Some of our fellow human beings are suffering to
an extent that is unimaginable.

The Foundation will always help the children help themselves to get rid of the burden of homelessness and
poverty and to have a better education and a decent standard of living.

One thing that’s really important to us right now is to have a website as
the heart of the Foundation. We are asking for help - seeking to be
sponsored or assisted to have our own Internet website.

The Foundation Believes Education is the Key

INTRODUCTION

My name is Stephan Cofie, a Ghanaian by birth, 31years old, founder and Executive Director of the Foundation of Hope for Children and the
Elderly. I will describe myself as a visionary - foresighted, honest,
sincere, one who has positive mental attitude about everything. I mind
my manners; keep my promises; am a good listener, operate with
integrity; and put my morals, principles and ethics ahead of pleasure
and personal gain.

Sitting By the Door One Morning
Looking At the Children Going To School, Then I
Thought About the Ones in the Streets
Moving Up And Down and Nowhere to Go
No Education No Future
Why Do They Suffer So Much, If They Have Parents Why? If You Really Don't Want Children Why Do You Have Them?
If You Really Don't Want Children Why Do You Have Them? Why?
If You Can't Care For Them, Why?
We Can Fight And Overcome, We Can Stop Children From The Streets.

Welcome To Foundation of Hope For Children and The Elderly

"The poverty many children go through in some African countries, especially Ghana, is unimaginable -- sad images of sick,
dying, starving and abused children. In other parts of the world, many
live with more than the essentials to survive, and these children are
dying daily from unnecessary causes that can be prevented. The UN,
Humanitarian and International Charities estimate as many as 7,000
children living on the streets of some developing countries.

If you sincerely want to help, you are most welcome; your help in any way
will be very much appreciated, being it volunteering for the children,
contributing ideas which will benefit the Foundation; or donations of
old items.

Souls Are Crying & Dying. Why Do You Want To Throw So Much Away?

All these children know is:

No Waste
The World Doesn’t Care
The Government Doesn't Care
Too Many Don’t Care.

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