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Our founding story
Diede in Ghana
The idea to establish an NGO that supports education and development, with as much involvement and ownership as possible for the local community, didn't happen overnight. The seed was sown years ago and further developed through events within our own family.
Our daughter Diede spent some time volunteering in Ghana. Her stories, photos, and experiences brought a distant world suddenly closer. That connection grew stronger when our other daughter, Lotte, became friends with Sebastiaan, a Ghanaian student at Wageningen University. Their friendship blossomed into a relationship, and they married in 2018. By then, we had heard and learned a great deal about 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.
