We do not believe in ourselves until someone reveals that deep inside us something is valuable, worth listening to, worthy of our trust, sacred to our touch. Once we believe in ourselves we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight or any experience that reveals the human existence. - e.e. cummings In October of 2013, our Ghana director, Isaac, assessed two siblings in Ankaase for entrance into the Rising Village Student Sponsorship program. These were our first two st

If you happened to be in Ghana last week and were on the dirt road between Nantan and Ankaase, you might have seen a motorized three-wheeler bouncing across the bumpy terrain, carrying a load of live chickens. The "tricycle" was transporting a part of our sponsored students' Christmas gift. Each holiday season, Rising Village sponsors generously provide a small donation for Christmas gifts for their sponsored student. For children who live in villages like Ankaase, Mpobi, and

We are in Tamale after a seven-hour bus ride from Kumasi. What a wonderful time to once again reunite and meet the people we serve! I was picked up by a new friend, Emmanuel, who is from Bunkurugu. This is the region where donors helped start a one-week training for women in the craft of Batik, after which the women will be given a loan to start up a trade. The north is already getting dry, but smiles are on the faces of the people we serve. When I travel here, I always sto

We're endlessly fascinated by Adinkra symbols. These are interesting visuals that represent concepts or original thoughts. The symbols are believed to originate in Cote d'Ivorie. According to an Ashanti legend, Adinkra was the name of a king of the Gyaman kingdom, Nana Kofi Adinkra. In Ghana, you see these symbols everywhere - on batik fabric, woodcarvings, pottery, even on the plastic chairs that we are seated in when we visit the homes of our Ghanaian friends. The Rising Vi

It was our last full day in Ghana - one final time to be with the students. Our team had spent the past four days getting to know the 12 kids in our Education program in Ankaase, and although the adults had been chatty and full of questions, the students had been quiet and careful with their words during our time together. Their first language is not English, it is the regional language of Twi. Not only is the language complicated, but the some of the required sounds are tong

We are so proud of these two young ladies! In April, Philomena and Dorcas took their high school entrance exams and are now waiting to find out where they will attend high school. Both students have had a year full of changes and challenges. There have been several times when we were praying they didn't give up and quit - it would have been so easy. But they have continued attending school, working hard, and moving toward their dream of finishing their education. It's difficu

Caleb now has a sponsor, which means all twelve of the students in our Education program have been matched with people who are giving generously to ensure these kids can attend school and receive good nutrition. Sponsorship does make a difference. The students know that there is someone who wants them to stay in school, and has commited to help make that happen. It's important for a child to know that there are those beyond his or her village who are cheering them on, believi

Dignity. This word echoes in our purpose and mission: to transform villages through family preservation. We believe that God has created each person, loves each person, and desires a relationship with each person. Because of this, He is saddened when his beloved creation lives in brokenness. He desires that each person live the life that He has created for them, and when people are trapped in poverty, imprisoned in injustice, and blocked from resources, God's heart is to rele

Caleb Benjamin Sampson Ezekiel We assess new entrants into our programs every few months, and we now have four young men who have entered our student sponsorship program and are eager to begin school. Here are their stories: Benjamin is nine years old and lives in the village of Mpobi, Ghana. His parents died when he was a young boy, and so he has been unable to attend school full-time. He lives with his grandmother and his brother, Caleb. His grandmother has no source of inc