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GENERAL GHANA WISDOM FOUNDATION
GENERAL GHANA WISDOM FOUNDATION Q: What is the mission of The Ghana Wisdom Foundation? A: GWF is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization that aims to meet specific educational objectives for students and educators in both West Africa and America through a unique service-learning approach to aid. For a more in depth look into the mission, goals, and objectives of our foundation, please refer to our Mission page. Q: What kind of foundation are you? A: The Ghana Wisdom Foundation is an education-based, 501 (c)(3), non-profit organization, meaning, all donations, monetary and otherwise, are 100% tax-deductible. Q: Since GWF is a tax-deductible foundation, do I need written records of donations or other contributions that I make? A: With contributions of over $250 or more, or equally significant non-monetary gifts, you will receive a letter from the Ghana Wisdom Foundation, which may be used as written substantiation of your donations for tax purposes. While donations of lesser value do not require written substantiation, you may contact us if you would like to obtain one for your records. Q: What makes The Ghana Wisdom Foundation different from other education-based non-profit organizations? A: For one, GWF is 100% non-profit. All of our hard work is completely voluntary. Over 90% of all donations made to GWF will make it back to the schools and organizations in Ghana and West Africa that we represent. You'll be hard pressed to find another organization that values their donations as much as GWF. To learn about some other unique characteristics of GWF visit GWF At A Glance. Second, our approach to aid is uniquely effective. To learn more about this visit How It Works. Q: Why the name Ghana Wisdom? A: The name "Ghana Wisdom" simply refers to where our vision began, or rather where we became part of one man's vision. For an in depth look into the history of our foundation, check out this link: History. Q: How can I help The Ghana Wisdom Foundation? A: In short, however you choose. One way to learn how you can help right now is to visit the How You Can Help page and see what you might be interested in. GWF also encourages those interested to get involved in other ways besides donations. Visit our GWF Volunteer Program page to see how you can may be able to help support GWF and our partner schools. While these are just a few ways you can help, your drive and desire are the only limits. Non-monetary donations, such as books or computers for our partner schools, or equipment to help support the daily operations of GWF are also greatly needed and appreciated. Be sure to check in with our website frequently as we update the progress of our current projects and funds. If you would like to help in some other way than what you have seen through our website, please do not hesitate to contact us. Q: If I want to donate, how will I know where my money is going? A: Since we allow you full control over your contributions, and being a 100% volunteer-run operation, you can be assured that your donations are going exactly where they are intended. The only reason in which money is taken from donations is due to unavoidable PayPal, postage and money transfer fees. Our How We Have Helped pictures page shows some ways in which donations have assisted in the past. For more details about your personal contributions, you can always contact us.
Q: What is the GWF School Partnership Program? A: At the core of the Ghana Wisdom Foundation is our Partnership Program: a team-oriented approach to improving educational opportunities for students and schools in Ghana (and other areas of West Africa). The GWF Partnership Program allows the GWF team to work with dedicated schools, agencies, and/or individuals to a) achieve lasting solutions to specific educational problems, b) develop and sustain educational opportunities for students and educators, and c) improve the overall quality of education at learning establishments. Q: How does the GWF Partnership Program work? A: The partnerships always begin with a single school in Ghana. From there, a partnership is formed between the school and GWF. Together, school and organization set out to define and conquer the school's needs. To help alleviate these needs, GWF seeks other partners worldwide, including schools, organizations, businesses, religious institutions, and individuals to create a network of support to help solve that one school's needs. Q: What are the benefits to being a GWF Partner School? A: For one, the Partnership Program requires that the Ghanaian school involved specify and define their specific needs and goals. We feel that the only people who truly know what is best for schools are the schools themselves. The GWF partnership network acts as the support system to help the schools help themselves. Also, the small number of Partner Schools (3 maximum) we maintain at any one time, reflects our dedication toward our responsibilities as a member of the partnership, our concentration on each school and their respective educational goals, and the importance we place on teamwork and a close working relationship. For another, it is our goal, not to provide temporary solutions or "quick-fixes" through handouts or one-time opportunities, but to provide the means for dedicated schools to establish functional and enduring solutions in order to provide improved educational opportunities to all students. We believe that the only acceptable solutions are lasting solutions, and those are what we seek to help schools find and carry out. Q: What schools may become a Partner School? A: GWF Partner Schools are schools in Ghana that show a strong commitment to education but lack the resources and/or funds to provide their students with the opportunities that they deserve. Each partner school is required to go through an intensive application process, ensuring that they are committed to the students they serve and to GWF. Q: Are all schools that work with GWF considered Partner Schools? A: No, GWF schools are placed into three distinct categories: 1) Partner School, 2) Volunteer School, and 3) Trial School. Partner Schools are schools that show a strong commitment to education but lack the resources and/or funds to provide their students with the opportunities that they deserve. GWF works closely with our partner schools to define and accomplish their specific goals. Each partner school is required to go through an intensive application process, ensuring that they are committed to the students they serve and to GWF. Because of GWF's profitless approach, we keep our list of partner schools low, ensuring that every school receives the attention and services they need and deserve. Volunteer Schools are schools that receive volunteers from GWF, but not necessarily funding. All volunteer schools must meet specific standards before they can receive volunteers. Trial Schools are schools that are in the middle of the application process to become a partner school. The application process can last up to six months. Q: How can a school I know become a GWF Partner School? A: If you are interested in your school or a school you know becoming a GWF Partner School, please visit our GWF Partnership Program Overview and Application page for more details about the application process and to view the initial application. Q: Who are GWF Partners? A: GWF Partners are institutions, agencies and individuals who have shown a sincere interest in our mission and have helped us achieve that mission through collaborative projects, annual scholarships, and continuous funding. Partnerships are informal (unless agreed otherwise), and partners simply agree to help whenever they can. It is together with our network of partners that GWF can help its Partner Schools reach their goals and achieve its own mission. Q: What are the benefits to becoming a GWF partner? A: The greatest benifit is knowing that you are an important part of a network of people that are working together to make a lasting impact in the lives of young people through education. All GWF Partners remain updated and informed about the organization and their areas of interest throughout their entire partnership and after. GWF works hard to create a sense of teamwork with all of our partners that makes our partnership program special. For more information about this program, please refer to the GWF Partnership Program page.
Q: What is Project Wisdom? A: Project Wisdom is an embodiment of all our values: education, service learning, volunteering, multicultural studies, and social awareness and action. For about three weeks each summer, Project Wisdom will join an intimate group of young American and Ghanaian students , ages 15-17, together for an unmatched educational journey set amidst the diverse landscape of Ghana. Q: What is the mission of Project Wisdom? A: The mission of Project Wisdom is to instill in participants the knowledge, values and traits necessary to overcome the developmental challenges facing today's global community. In order to achieve this mission, the GWF team seeks to educate and inspire the youth in the same way that we, the GWF Board, were once inspired during our first trip to Ghana, a trip that resulted in the creation of GWF. Q: What will participants be educated on while in Ghana? A: There will be four educational focuses which will manifest both directly and indirectly throughout the journey and include: 1) the cultural and natural assets that Ghana has to offer, 2) the concept and reality of living in a global community, 3) the developmental issues facing a country like Ghana and 4) the institutions, organizations and individuals in Ghana and worldwide that are working to overcome these challenges. Q: Who may participate in Project Wisdom? A: Any American or Ghanaian student between the ages of 15-17 may apply to be a participant of Project Wisdom. Besides age, the most important requirements are an enthusiasm for learning and an open mind. Q: Where in Ghana will the students go and what will the accommodations be? A: The Project Wisdom group will travel through nine of the ten regions of Ghana during the extent of the program. While traveling, accommodations will vary from hotels and guesthouses to village homes, and all will be under the close supervision of Project Wisdom staff. While comfort may at times be lower than accustomed, safety and security will be foremost at all times. For more details about where the Project Wisdom program will go, please visit the Project Wisdom homepage. Q: What sets Project Wisdom apart from the other youth travel programs out there? A: One aspect of the program which we feel is truly unique is our innovative emphasis on service learning and educating tomorrow's leader's in the developmental challenges facing their global community. By taking students out of the classroom to learn and experience, Project Wisdom will create an unforgettable education experience that will inspire participants to continue to contribute to their world. By joining both Ghanaian and American students together, participants will be exposed to ideas and knowledge that would otherwise be missing from similar experiences. Another aspect of the program which we feel sets us apart is the price. Since GWF is a 100% volunteer run operation, and not a business, we have extended this principle to our Project Wisdom program as well. All of our staff have been intensively educated on the issues that will be presented during the program completely voluntarily. No staff member receives salary for the program allowing us to keep our program fees as low as possible. For more information about this program, please refer to the Project Wisdom homepage. ***We are currently in the process of program development for Project Wisdom. If you would like more information about this program, please contact us at projectwisdom@ghanawisdom.org.***
Q: What is the GWF Volunteer Program? A: The GWF Volunteer Program recruits motivated individuals to take an active role in our operations. The GWF Volunteer Program is essential in keeping GWF a 100% volunteer operation, and ensuring that the maximum percent of each donation goes toward helping the people who need them most, the schools. Q: What can volunteers do? A: Individuals interested in volunteering can travel to Ghana to help the schools first hand, volunteer from home to raise awareness and/or funds, participate in service learning projects and internships, or even become a part of the GWF team. For more specific information about the kinds of activities volunteers can get involved with, please visit our Volunteer Abroad, Volunteer from Home, Service Learning, and Join the GWF Team pages. Q: Who can volunteer? A: GWF encourages anyone and everyone to get involved with our mission. From the kindergarten class to the college grad, GWF has a volunteer position for you, however, each volunteer opportunity may call for different requirements. For example, our schools in Ghana may have different conditions for potential volunteers. For volunteering abroad, you can find the requirements listed on each schools' volunteer site which may be accessed through our Volunteer Abroad page. For other questions regarding a volunteer opportunity you may want to engage in, please send emails to info@ghanawisdom.org. Q: Who benefits from the GWF Volunteer Program? A: All parties involved serve to benefit from the volunteer program. Volunteers allow GWF to continue to grow and acheive our mission. In doing so, our schools in Ghana recieve more resources and are able to grow academically. The GWF Volunteer Program also gives individuals a chance to know that they were personally able to make an impact in the lives of many through contributing their time and effort. The program also offers people the chance to build a resume, gain valuable expereince, and even join the GWF team permenantly. Q: What sets the GWF Volunteer Program apart from other volunteer opportunities? A: One unique aspect of our volunteer abroad program is that GWF, a 100% volunteer-run operation, does not seek to capitalize from this program for our own benefit. Any program fees related to our volunteering abroad go directly to the partner schools where volunteers will be located. Our volunteer abroad program offers the lowest cost possible by assuring that the maximum percentage of all payments are given to those who need it most - the schools. Also, as with all of our donations, volunteers have complete control over all funds raised from other volunteer experiences such as volunteering from home and service learning projects. We feel that by giving volunteers the freedom to choose where they would like the fruits of their efforts placed, volunteers will feel a deeper connection to their projects and contributions compared to other volunteer efforts. Q: How is service-learning tied into your volunteer program? A: Today, service-learning, the educational approach that ties together volunteer work and academics, has become a major part of the GWF Volunteer Program. The concept is remarkably simple and effective. Many schools in Ghana need serious help. Many schools in America (and worldwide) are adding service-learning into their curriculum. By combining these two facts, GWF is able to create numerous service learning opportunities for American students that aim to help Ghanaian students. In the end, the educational opportunities for all are improved. To learn more about service-learning and how you can get involved visit our Service-Learning page. Q:What is service learning? A: Service-learning combines core curriculum material, social awareness, and character building skills. It allows students to use their brains to create better social situations for themselves, their communities, and across the globe. Many schools, districts, and states are now requiring students to participate in service-learning projects as part of their curriculum. You can learn more about service-learning by visiting the links on this page. These two links have a bunch of information for those wishing to learn more about the benefits of service-learning. * National Service-Learning Partnership Q: What about internships? A: Internships are long term commitments that people make to our organization in return for a valuable learning experience. For that reason, we have included internships under our service-learning program. All internships can be done from home or school, but traveling to Ghana can also become a part of the experience for those with the funds and desire to do so. If you are interested about becoming an intern with GWF, e-mail info@ghanawisdom.org. GWF internships offer interns freedom and flexibility. Therefore, e heavy dose of motivation and responsibility are prerequisites. Q: Why GWF Service-Learning? A: 1. A unique learning opportunity: Students will learn about a foreign country that is remarkably and yet unknowingly tied to their own. They will learn about the concepts, the pros, and the cons of foreign aid. They will learn the value of education in a country like Ghana, as well as recognize the value of their own. They will learn how their hard work is helping to improve the lives of students in Ghana, reemphasizing the concepts of social awareness and global community. Communication, in the form of pen pals, between the schools is usually an option. GWF is also able to facilitate reciprocal service-learning projects between American and Ghanaian classrooms during certain times of the year. 2. A chance to make a huge difference: Imagine trying to provide desks and chairs for your school? Students would need tens of thousands of dollars to do so, right? A school in Mass. did just this for our partner school in Liberia after raising $3,000 during their long term service project. What's more, the Liberian school had enough left over to pay their teachers a months salary! Students who participate in GWF service-learning projects are provided a rare opportunity (if they are up to the challenge) to make a lasting difference in a community in a way that is unimaginable in America. Q: Is it possible to join GWF on a long term basis? A: Yes, GWF is constantly seeking motivated indivuals to join the GWF "Team." You can sign up today by filling out this application. GWF will read it and get back to you promptly about the possibilities of you working with GWF. Q: Who can join GWF? A: GWF positions are open to anyone. Requirements include a sincere desire to help others through education, access to the internet, and a little bit of time. Q: What will my duties be if I join GWF? A: Initially, a persons position is decided upon their time commitment, interests, and GWF's needs. New members are given minor positions to start with. If they would like to see their duties expand then their will be ample opportunities. The entire staff and executive board of GWF is volunteer run, therefore we understand the time constraints and concerns of new team members. We are very flexible and understanding and work hard to provide an experience that will benefit everyone. The roles of our staff and board are constantly changing to match each individuals time constraints, commitment, and interests. Currently, GWF is aggresivly expanding our operations and are looking for new people to join our organization. Many positions and roles are open to fill. Contact us today for more information. Q: Why join GWF? A: Joining GWF allows people to make a difference in the lives of others. It allows people to gain valuable experience, insight, and knowledge in the fields of education, non-profit work, and management. It allows people to use their talents and interests to help others. It provides people with a chance to engage themselves in an interesting line of work with a low stress environment. There are many reasons to join GWF. For more information about this program, please refer to the GWF Volunteer Program page.
Q: What is the GWF School Store? A: The GWF School Store helps support our foundation, our partner schools, and Ghanaian artisans. Here is how it works: GWF has created partnerships with a handful of artists in Ghana specializing in specific trades (e.g. woodcarving, bead making, batiks). We buy from these artists, ensuring that they receive a steady customer base, and sell their pieces at the American market value, ensuring a profit is made. All profits are then used to further promote our mission of improving the educational opportunities for students in Ghana and America. Q: What items may be purchased at the School Store? A: At any given time, the School Store offers an array of Ghanaian crafts from necklaces and beads to masks, genuine drums and other musical instruments. Because all goods are hand-crafted and not manufactured, the store's inventory is constantly changing. Visit the School Store today to see what items we currently have available. Q: Why shop at the GWF School Store? A: When you buy goods from the GWF School Store you can be assured that 100% of all profits go toward improving educational opportunities in both Ghana and America. You also ensure a steady customer base for our partner artisans in Ghana. Not to mention, you will receive authentic hand made West African crafts that we are sure you will be happy with. Q: Where do the proceeds of the School Store go? A: All proceeds, minus Paypal, postage and other transfer fees go directly to GWF. From there, donations are sent to partner schools, put into various funds to support partner schools, or towards developing other GWF programs and operations. Along with supporting the foundation and our partner schools, every purchase of an item from the School Store supports the Ghanaian artisans and their families. To see more about how proceeds of the School Store have helped, visit our How We Have Helped section of our pictures page. Q: Who operates the School Store? A: Currently, all operations of the GWF School Store are maintained by GWF board members. However, we offer Ghanaian schools the chance to become partners in our operations and receive extra funding from the GWF School Store. We also offer American schools a unique service-learning opportunity, in which students use their knowledge about business practices and West African art to raise money for GWF and our schools in Ghana. Q: If an item has been sold that I am interested in, can I place an order? A: It is possible to place an order with the store. However, because every item is handcrafted, there are no guarantees that the item you receive will be identical to the one that has been sold on the website. Also, because prices of items are determined after receiving shipments, the item that you personally order may be more expensive than the listed price in the School Store, and will certainly take longer to receive than what is mentioned on the site. If you are interested in a particular item you saw on the School Store or to place an order, contact the GWF School Store Manager at store@ghanawisdom.org.
Q: What are the GWF Learning Resources? A: An integral part of our mission, GWF's Learning Resources pages provide students and teachers with thousands of on-line resources that aim to promote a sense of global community through multicultural learning and provide unique educational opportunities with service learning. Q: What is the purpose of the Teachers Resources? A: Following The Ghana Wisdom Foundation mission to provide educational resources, opportunities and support for schools, students, and educators in America and Ghana, while also creating a sense of global community and cultural appreciation, the Teachers Guide was created. Specifically, the main purposes are to: provide lesson plans that are culturally unbiased and that require minimal resources, create a global learning community by providing lessons and opportunities where different cultures can learn from and ultimately with each other, and provide service learning opportunities for classrooms. Q: What is the purpose of the Students Resources? A: Also adhering to the mission of GWF, the Students Guide was created as a place where students of all ages and cultural backgrounds can go to find valuable school related resources. Since the roots of our foundation began in Ghana and blossomed in America, there is a focus on Ghanaian culture and its connection to America. However, the guide presents resources about all subjects and many countries so that it may help foster cultural appreciation and global community in those students who take advantage of it. Q: Can I contribute to the Learning Resources? A: YES!! We are eager and open to any suggestions, additions, or other resources that you may have to offer the guides. We are constantly searching to expand the guides, and as long as contributions meet the criteria listed on each guides' homepage, it would be our pleasure to add them.
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