WORLD'S LEADING INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

A Brave Heart is a Powerful Weapon

Fifteen Dreamers traveled to Ghana in September hoping to bring tangible donations and develop a resource center for the people of Ghana. They left taking more intangible gifts than they could have imagined.

“We went there as an effort to do some good, but we got so much more out of it than we even put in because of the experience we had and the people there,” said Brian Buntz, the organizer of the first volunteer mission trip through University of Dreams.

The group went with several intentions, but primarily to support social activist and politician Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah’s foundation and his community.

Aside from supporting the community and the efforts that Emmanuel’s foundation has undertaken, the Dreamers provided services and resources for the disabled of Ghana by handing out wheelchairs to disabled citizens of five communities, helped Emmanuel to launch a political campaign to run for parliament in 2008, and donated items that had been gathered in the States.

UofDreams coordinated a 200-square-foot shipping container to be delivered to Ghana full of donations including sporting goods, clothing, and office supplies. A portion of the donated items consisted of laptop computers for use in the new career center.

“The container came and so many people could see all the men and women who were helping them to build the center,” Emmanuel said.

The center now has 15 laptops and holds classes three days a week to train Ghanaians to use the computer, enabling them to communicate better using the computer and to acquire skills necessary for getting a job.

“[The Dreamers] brought so many things for the people and the community to help make their life better in so many ways. It was a wonderful experience we had from this trip,” Emmanuel said.

Volunteers say they were grateful to share in the wonderful experience. Kristin Hockman was the only volunteer who had no prior contact with the University of Dreams programs. She decided to participate on the trip after seeing Emmanuel’s Gift, a film about Emmanuel’s life and work in Ghana, and heard about the planned trip from her friend Kim Nguyen-Dinh, who also went on the trip. Kristin was pleased with what the team accomplished to support Emmanuel’s work.

“In the end, we were able to have the center in working order with work station tables up, computer stations set up and operating, storage cabinets in place, and painting complete,” Kristin said. “We also made some more minor changes to Emmanuel's office in attempt to make it a more efficient workspace.”

Kristin said the group painted a phrase on the wall of Emmanuel’s foundation to serve as a reminder to those who enter, which said, “A brave heart is a powerful weapon.”

While the group successfully achieved the mission it went to accomplish, Brian says another thing was accomplished that the group hadn’t expected.

“Not only did we develop a greater appreciation for a new culture and an understanding of a different part of the world, but we also learned about true hospitality and true service. While that was a secondary goal of going, it became the best thing that happened there.”

Kristin said even though she knew the people of Ghana would be nice, she was impressed by their genuineness.

“I had heard that the Ghanaians were extremely friendly but they really outdid themselves,” said Kristin. “Emmanuel invited us into his home and introduced us to his extended family. Everyone just really accepted us right away and opened their hearts to us. I shouldn't say I didn't expect them to be so friendly but it happened on such a large scale, and for that I am forever grateful.”

Volunteers were also able to enjoy the natural environment that Ghana offers by taking some day trips and overnight trips to visit the jungle, waterfalls, the coast, and an old slave-trading site.

Kristin said she enjoyed her experience so much that she has since decided to sponsor the education of two of the Ghanaian orphans she met on the trip.

“I came back feeling fulfilled and accomplished, with a renewed energy to help those abroad,” she said. “It makes me feel like I have renewed my global community membership.”

UofDreams plans to make another trip back to Ghana next September to bring more computers and help Emmanuel’s campaign in the heart of the election season. Emmanuel’s foundation also has a plot of land on which it hopes to build a school, which may be a project UofDreams could look forward to supporting in the years to come.

The administrator for Emmanuel’s foundation said that he too hopes to continue a partnership with University of Dreams.

“You actually displayed a remarkable spirit of volunteerism and love for humanity during your visit,” Martin Agyekum Boakye said in a letter. “Your names have become household names in our town and all the people are impatiently anticipating your return. We particularly want to thank you for the donations in terms of cash and clothes and other items in the container that you generously made to us. We cannot forget about the computer center, which you established through you own resources and manpower for us. It is really memorable and we shall never forget about these nice gestures extended to us. It is our hope that this collaboration between us will persist and be deepened in the years ahead. Thank you so very much. We are grateful.”

The next University of Dreams volunteer trip will be to Guatemala this December in order to accommodate more students’ schedules.  Alumni and UofDreams employees will be participating.  Updates regarding out volunteer trips are made available through the newsletter and via email.