‘Invest In OpporTOONIEty’ Investors Have Their Say!

Investment Choice #1

Anticipated Investment: 500 GHS ($365 CAD)

Frustrated by the lack of resources and support from the district in assisting rural poor with necessary water and sanitation facilities, Faustina, a good friend of mine here in Bongo, decided to start up her own NGO called the Bongo Development Organisation (BONDO).

BONDO’s aims are to encourage, co-ordinate, facilitate and cater for the general development of rural dwellers and urban poor through Non-Governmental programs including:

• Provision of safe, clean drinking water through the provision of hand-dug wells and sanitation facilities (household latrines)
• Education on health issues related to the use and maintenance of those of facilities
• Education of rural dwellers and urban poor on forestation and related environmental issues
• Exchange programs between basic schools in Bongo and the UK
• The support of needy students
• Undertaking of any project or programs that are incidental to the general development of the district’s rural dwellers and urban poor.

With my firm belief in ‘Think Opportunity, Not Charity’, I challenged Faustina on the idea of giving communities latrines. However, she provided a strong case stating that struggling communities are not going to invest their funds into something they don’t really believe they need. They will continue to defecate in the fields, thus causing the persistence of diseases such as typhoid and cholera.

During a recent video interview with Faustina (soon to be posted!), I learnt that another big problem in the district is fluoride in the water. This fluoride cause’s individual’s teeth to turn brown and weaken, causing major psychological issues, especially for young girls. Faustina hopes to use her organisation to attract experts in this field to share ideas or technologies that can help this detrimental situation.

I am very proud of Faustina for who she is and all that she is doing. Running this NGO while working for the Water & Sanitation division at the same time is no easy feat. Her willingness to go beyond herself in helping others is what impresses me the most; but what drives her is bringing to life a dream of seeing a better future for Bongo. Check out the First Project Report! *Interview with Faustina coming soon!*

You can learn more about BONDO by checking out the ‘soon 2 be pages’ of www.bondotrust.net

Investment Choice #2

Anticipated Investment: 300 GHS ($220 CAD)

You might recall that one of the initiatives I was working on, known as the ‘Proving Potential Investment Fund’, aimed to support individuals who had the potential to be leaders in their community. It hoped to create motivation for these individuals by providing coaching support; opportunities to brainstorm ideas; and, when necessary, ‘pay it forward’ loans. However, since this initiative was very personal and was based on the relationships I built with the people here, I recognized it is not a very sustainable idea.

Therefore, I would like to introduce you to the ‘Ghana – People’s Opportunity Fund’ (GPOF). Developed by a former EWB long term volunteer, Nick Jimenez, the vision of the fund is to mobilize local entrepreneurs to trade in their communities and create wealth for their families that will be invested into their country. GPOF will encourage entrepreneurs to shift from informal business to the formal sector, in order to start supporting their government so Ghana can grow wholesomely.

GPOF is a fund created to provide credit to those who are not credit worthy. Enabling local entrepreneurs to overcome their first and most challenging hurdle – capital -GPOF is aimed at releasing people’s creative power to realize their potential. By facilitating the start up of small businesses and income generation for Ghanaian people, Ghana can develop a stronger economy for its overall development. For the individual, accessing micro-credit will enable them to utilize their mind and physical labour to fullest potential, to provide for themselves and their families.

This initiative is strictly a pool of money available to EWB OVS, to invest in entrepreneurs they know personally. It is a resources for the OVS, and the people of Ghana. There is no pressure to deplete it, or to achieve a given amount of loans in a particular time period. It is solely to provide some financial resources to invest into the portion of the population that would otherwise not receive such credit.

Nick and Shamir who are currently sustaining this initiative have put a lot of thought and hard work into this idea. I am proud of them for continuing to push forward such an idea, despite the challenges associated with creating and maintaining a loan program.

For more information on the idea check out… GPOF Plan!

Investment Choice #3

Anticipated Investment: 400 GHS ($300 CAD)

It has always been a dream of mine to start a global business that has the potential to connect the world. What was merely an ambitious fantasy during my youth, has now developed into a driven passion that I am determined to make work. Throughout my experiences here in Ghana I have discovered many people with tons of potential, yet few opportunities to prove this potential; hard workers ready to pull themselves out of poverty, but simply in need of a chance to do so. Based on the belief of ‘Breaking Borders & Building Opportunities,” the business idea aims to give creative and talented artisans and entrepreneurs the chance to find a larger market for their work and reach their full potential. It will also provide Canadian youth the opportunity to get involved in changing the business world’s focus from profits… to people.

My plans when I return will be to investigate potential market opportunities; work towards an MBA in marketing and international business; gain experience in the marketing industry; and explore ways to influence shipping and trade agreements. I have laid the foundation of the business here in Ghana by teaming up with my business partner, Daniel – a young man driven to create change, and some local tailors and artisans, including Jacob – my official smock tailor and embroider,  in trying to create unique products to market in Canada. They are all very excited to have the opportunity to share their talents with the world and be treated fairly and with dignity while doing so.

The plans for the anticipated investment are to place the money in a 2 year GIC, so that it will accumulate interest while the business is being established. I understand that this idea involves a lot of trust on the investor’s part in my actions, but I assure that should anything change 2 years from now, the money will be donated to EWB. As you have trusted me with the opportunity to come back to Ghana to finish my work, I hope this trust will continue in my efforts to revolutionize the business world and enter a new era of ‘Creating the New Cool!’ *Videos and Idea Concept/Business Plan Coming Soon!*

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