Jaymie

My name is Jenn Solomon and I am leaving for Ghana tomorrow night to volunteer for ELF. I have been volunteering with ELF for the past six months, and I cannot begin to describe how much my life has changed since I met Jaymie and started volunteering with her organization. Ever since I can remember I've wanted to travel. I wanted to see other parts of the world and learn about different cultures and ways of life. I always knew that there was a lack of education throughout the world, and I always wished there was a way I could do something about it. I have always told myself that one day I would try to make a difference and be a positive influence in someone else's life, and I believe ELF has given me the ... read more

With the information and research I've gathered during my experience in Ghana, I've decided to finally begin the NPO I've been dreaming of and talking about for so long. The name of the organization is Elisa Lanera Foundation (ELF), and our slogan is, "Proving that little can go a long way!" We are a community development organization focusing on education and HIV/AIDS awareness in the poor areas around Capetown and Johannesburg. We are based out of New York and planning to establish ourselves in South Africa in roughly 2 years. Right now we're still working on really getting things going. So far we've: --Submitted our Certificate of Incorporation with the state of New York and waiting for 1 to 2 weeks to be officially declared as a business! And working on the other requirements and paperwork ... read more

God of Wonder is an NGO dedicated to rescuing dying babies in Ghana. I met Larry and Beki McConnell (founders) here in Ghana and visit them frequently. I have also met two of the AIDS babies they have rescued and are currently fostering. Anyone who is interested in helping them can send me money (give it to my father and he will deposit it into my account) and I will hand deliver it to them- I see them about once a week! " With the money I will buy supplies(crib, walker, formula, diapers, etc) and take pictures!" -Beki McConnell You can visit their website at www.godofwonder.org Also, I will be volunteering at an orphanage called the Osu Childrens Home in Accra on the weekends. These kids are desperatly in need of clothes, toys, shoes, books-basically everything! ... read more

The slip n slide was a huge succes! The kids had a blast! We set up a diamond, did base running and sliding into home and then incorporated some real life situations. i am orchestrating some other activities 3 of which are taking place over the next couple weeks This Friday I organized a community service trip for the kids to go out into the village and help Ghana become cleaner by picking up trash. Next week we are going to begin painting and then we will paint a big murel on the side of the school with a quote about education and each of the student's hand prints going in order from smallest to largest. I have also organized a field trip where I am taking all the students to the Osu Children's Home, an ... read more

Today one of my 5th graders gave me a piece of folded index card with a picture of us playing vollyball that opens up to a note that he wrote to me on Monday when I was not at school. It says: 22nd february 2009 Dear Aunty Jaymie, I write you this letter because you teach us french and I love you because you are a nice woman. I will keep on writing you this letters. I hope by the grace of God you are fine. May God be wit you and Aunty Bethany . Thank you very much. And if you go, greet your family for me and greet your brothers and sisters for me. THANK YOU. From Emmanuel Tettey It put such a huge smile on my lil heart!... read more