GonetoGhanaNews

It's the moment you've all been waiting for... the proposal to build a large bakery with my women's group is finished and has finally been approved by the Peace Corps Partnership Program. In years past, I've participated in raising money for different organizations and charities... and hated it. It felt so wrong to send out mass emails asking for money for large generic causes, but this is different. I have no problem writing all of you today because this is something I really believe in on a personal level. I know how every dollar you donate will be spent (and even the smallest donations will be helpful) and I really think that the end product can make a difference. By helping to buy equipment and build the Garasie (Dagaare, my local language, for grace) Women's Cooperative Bakery, we will be creating jobs which are difficult to find in the remote Upper West Region of Ghana, especially if you are a woman.

As a Health Volunteer I am constantly trying to find sustainable ways to fight reoccurring health issues, such as Malaria, Malnutrition, Infant Mortality, HIV, etc. The most sustainable way to permanently reduce the frequency of these problems and future health problems is to reduce the poverty level in the home. To ensure that the economic benefits of the bakery reach the entire family, we are working specifically with women.

My hope is that the initial group of 15 women and more women in the future will be empowered with their new skills and ability to contribute to the family income giving them more control over maintaining and improving the health and well being of the family. We get to start building as soon as all the funds have been raised, and with only 9 months left of my service. So, my hope is that this money can be raised quickly so I can bake bread along side them before I return to the states.

How to donate money to the Garasie Women's Cooperative Bakery: go to http://www.peacecoprs.gov Then go to Donate Now linkgo to Volunteer Projects. Scroll down to Ghana. Scroll to Women's Co-op Bakery, J Stewart (project number 641225) enter amount of donation and scroll to bottom of page and click continue. Enter credit card information. Forward this message to 7 people in the next 24 hours and all your dreams will come true. Just kidding, but seriously if you know of anyone who might be interested in helping my women's group spread the word.

Thank you for all your support. Jenell Stewart

p.s. from Lisa: here is a direct link to the webpage describing the project. http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.donors.projdetail&projdesc=641-225
Then follow the rest of Jenell’s directions (Enter the amount, Go to the bottom of the page, click continue and enter your credit card info)