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Mission and Vision
Our vision is a world where everyone, thanks to good education, has the opportunity to build a better life. Because education forms the foundation for the development of people and their environment.
That's why our mission is to improve living conditions through education. Many children in Ghana have access to education, but its quality and accessibility can be improved. By supporting the existing education system, we contribute to sustainable and better education.
We work closely with local communities and build on existing structures. During our visits to Ghana, we see the value of collaboration while respecting local circumstances and knowledge. We make a small-scale but meaningful contribution to the development of children, schools, and the broader community.
Where possible, we have materials and products made locally, so that we strengthen not only education, but also the local economy.
Our story
Het idee om een NGO op te richten die onderwijs en ontwikkeling ondersteunt, met zoveel mogelijk inzet en zeggenschap bij de lokale gemeenschap, is niet van de ene op de andere dag ontstaan. De kiem werd jaren geleden gelegd en groeide verder door gebeurtenissen binnen onze eigen familie.
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Onze dochter Diede werkte een periode als vrijwilliger in Ghana. Haar verhalen, foto’s en ervaringen brachten een verre wereld ineens dichtbij. Die verbondenheid werd sterker toen onze andere dochter, Lotte, bevriend raakte met Sebastiaan, een Ghanese student aan de Universiteit Wageningen. Hun vriendschap groeide uit tot een relatie, en in 2018 trouwden zij. Inmiddels hadden we al veel gehoord en geleerd over Ghana.
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A year after the wedding, the eight of us—Dian and Ad, their three children, and their partners—traveled through Ghana for three weeks. We visited various regions, spoke with people, and witnessed daily life firsthand. A special highlight was our stay in Bolgatanga, where Sebastiaan's family lives. There we celebrated the wedding again, this time in Ghanaian style. We learned how to weave baskets, visited a school under construction, and witnessed firsthand the challenges facing education.
These experiences inspired us to want to do something for children in Bolgatanga. Access to education is often not a given: basic facilities are often lacking, which means children can't attend school or only attend it to a limited extent. We decided to launch a campaign to improve a local school and provide scholarships so children can buy clothes, shoes, and school supplies.
When Dian and Ad celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary, they chose to ask for a donation for the initiative instead of gifts. This is how the Share Ghana Foundation was born. The celebration generated a wonderful initial investment, and with flyers, a website, and business cards, we were able to further promote our mission.
Now, several years later, the foundation is booming. Thanks to support from individuals and businesses, we've been able to provide scholarships to several hundred children, providing them with access to education. The school in Bolgatanga has also been completed, and we've expanded to new locations.
We are now focusing on ensuring continuity. With the involvement of the local community and our partners, we are confident in a sustainable future for Share Ghana.
Diede in Ghana