Finally Taking Donations!

For the last two months I have been working with a community based organization in Helekpe, Ghana called Adaklu Youth Education Committee (AYEC.)  When I arrived I learned that AYEC's two goals were to provide orphans with school uniforms and give scholarships to kids so that they can attend high school, which is not public in Ghana.  For the school uniform project the group has been working with seven local elementary schools and five local middle schools.  It should be noted that school uniforms are mandatory in all schools in Ghana.  In addition to these goals I have also decided that if we can obtain the funding we should work to improve one of the local middle schools which is in dire need of repair.  Finally, AYEC itself wants to become sustainable and not rely solely on volunteers efforts to provide funding..  To that end we are aiming to start a five acre plantain and pepper farm.  Those two crops have been carefully selected because they are very profitable, potentially making up to $15,000 a year, and can grow well on the land we can purchase.

After two months of being here I can personally attest to what a difference these projects, if successfully carried out, would make.  While the projects may be noble they are certainly not free.  In the last two months I have been carefully working alongside the committee to gather estimates for the different projects.  Having done the research I have decided to set a goal of raising $25,000.  This is certainly a lofty goal, but one I believe is achievable.  The goal is even more attainable because of the fact that I have already received a generous donation to match any dollar given within the first $10,000 I can obtain.  This means that if you can give as little $10 that donation will be matched making it worth $20, or in practical terms, more than enough to provide a new school uniform to an orphan.

I am therefore asking for you to help me in this project.  If you can, please make a donation to AYEC.  Donations should be made payable to Cynthia Mendelson with a note on the memo lined that says, "Donation to AYEC."  Please mail checks to:

Danny Mendelson
Wise Metals
857 Elkridge Landing Road, Suite 600
Linthicum, MD 21090

I realize that charitable donations are not made out to individuals.  However, because AYEC is only a small group in Ghana there is no other way to get money here efficiently or without losing significant value from the contribution.  Therefore, my mom and dad will gather the all of the checks and then wire them to AYEC's bank account here.  Since this is not how donations are normally made I will be logging every donation and will be happy to tell you exactly where your donation actually goes.  I will also provide receipts wherever possible.  If you have questions please feel free to write me an email at brad.mendelson@gmail.com.

I realize that not all people are in a position where they can give money.  Anything you can do to help would be greatly appreciated.  Support can range from spreading the word about the project, to holding a fundraiser, or even simply learning more about the project.  To that end I would be happy to talk to anyone with any questions.  Again feel free to write me an email.  Thanks so much for your support!