The Video is of Godwins village Atorkor Ghana

Who I am

My name is Kim Hitchcock and I will forever be changed by the village of Atorkor in Ghana AND even more by my friendship with Godwin Kofi Bani.I spent 3 months in this rural fishing village with a population of 1,970. Needless to say, in a village this small, everyone knows everyone, and, likewise, when in passing, everyone greets everyone.  One of my new friends Godwin explained, “Here in Ghana we like to greet each other…even if you don’t know the person, you say hello.”  I realized this pretty early in my stay when short walks that should’ve taken me less than 5 minutes were taking me 25 simply because everyone asks each other “Good morning” or “Good evening, how are you?” I learned so much during these interactions about village life and especially about my friend Godwin and his dream of going on to school.

The Impact

During my 3 month internship I had many long walks and talks with Godwin I learned that in Atorkor and Ghana most children are only afforded Basic school education which is the equivalent of grades 1-6 in America, Godwin has made it through JHS about 9^th grade. Godwin’s greatest dream is to go on to higher education. This is a young man that reads the dictionary in his spare time to improve his vocabulary. There was a time in the US when our school systems were very similar. Let’s all give back what we are given so freely.

My hope is to bring Godwin here for a year of study abroad to give him an amazing cultural experience and a chance to grow and learn at Ellensburg High School.

What we need to give Godwin his dream

To do this I need to your help. This is a pay it forward campaign for me. I was given the right to go to school through 12^th grade because I am a U.S citizen. My grandfather was born in 1914 in a time when secondary schools were just begining in the U.S.In 1910 less than 20% of 15 to 18 year olds were enrolled in high school and less than 10% of all American 18 year olds graduated. By 1940 only 73% of American youth were enrolled in high school.My grandfather lived in a time here in the U.S very much like Godwins experience in Ghana, My Grandfather was only able to go on to higher education because of sponsorship.

All Godwin wants is to attend higher education……

This is where you come in it costs $420.00 per quarter for Godwin’s High school fees. For this year the year total is $1260.00.

To bring Godwin to Ellensburg next year for a high school year abroad in the USA will cost between $ 13,000 and $ 15,000 for the mandatory fees through the state department study abroad programs.

Please help me to PAY IT FORWARD and bring Godwin to school here in the U.S at Ellensburg High School and give back what we are all given here in America so freely.

Below is a letter from Godwin

 Dear Ma Ma Kim,                                              

These are my determinations and present hope, to be some one great! After five years of completing my J.H.S level. Always it is my prayer to get someone who could help me in my education in terms of facilities and financial ability.

Hence, my desire after completing J.H.S is to go to high school to pursue accounting in terms of banking. When I complete S.H.S I hope to go on to a university so that one day I am able to get a job and I can help my sister Grace to go to school. Because my mother is the only one we have she has worked and what so ever she made out from selling porridge every morning is what we get for food from to eat daily and how she pays for us to go to school.

I am so glad she was able to help us complete our basic level of education. As  of now she is making more effort to help me go to S.H.S .It is my desire to school in U.S.A because I know if I was able to complete my high school there,  I will receive an education that is above what I will receive in Ghana. My greatest hope in life is that one day I will receive a degree in business so that I can get a job that will sustain my family, myself, and also to help my sister further her education.

Moreover, going to high school here in Ghana costs a lot of money and school fees are paid every term which is very hard for my family. If I am awarded the chance to go to Ellensburg High School and live with Mama Kim, I will be the first ever boy from Atorkor Ghana to have the opportunity to attend high school in the USA. I see this as a chance to gain a wealth of knowledge and valuable life lessons from this cultural experience. By expanding my education in participating in other countries and cultures I believe I will only become a more well rounded and effective professional one day. If I should be awarded the opportunity to study in the US, you can rest assured that your investment is being awarded to a qualified boy that understands this is an unprecedented chance to make a difference in my culture by learning about yours.

 I am excited to gain a greater understanding of your culture and know this is an unprecedented opportunity that will only help me gain much culturally and to improve my intelligence. I believe because facilities are more valuable in America. Looking at myself now, l know more things that l can do after completing my high school education. But studying in Ghana is hard; here we don’t have many facilities to attend for schooling.

And you also know much about me Ma Ma Kim and what l am capable off.

About my future, l want to be an auditor at a great or one the leading banks in the U.S ,and so for that matter I won’t spend the rest of my life in U.S for school and work.

Only God know what I will be and I prayed to be call among great people one day….

THANKS………

GODWIN.

What you get for helping Godwins dream come true

For $1 dollar donation

You will receive a personal letter from Godwin from Ghana

For the $20 dollar donation

You will receive a bracelet made by Godwin

For a $50  dollar donation

You will receive updates on Godwin’s progress in school

For any Donations above $100

You will receive the chance to talk to Godwin after he arrives in the US  and ask him about his amazing experience