September 17th Book Signing and Discussion

Some of the goodies that will be available at the
Stories From The Streets Book Signing

Come and hear stories, experience exclusive behind the scenes action, engage in discussion and watch videos of the book launch in  Ghana, West Africa. Enjoy an evening of books, refreshments, door prizes and goodies. 

For Event Information Click Here

Stories From The Streets is Available on Amazon

Stories From The Streets

Stories From The Streets is a compilation of stories about the street children served by Street Girls Aid in Accra, Ghana. The powerful and inspirational success stories showcase what it is like to live in the heart of West Africa and how the individual’s resilience to survive combined with the support of Street Girls Aid helped transform their confidence, dreams and their future.  To purchase on Amazon follow this link
 
This book is a passionate celebration of Street Girls Aid, Ghana, whose mission is “serving street children – impacting generations.” It is also a unique tribute to the success of the many children, girls and young women whose stories are presented.  
 
The twenty inspiring stories shared, represent the many thousands of children who have gone through the Street Girls Aid’s programs, and represent the twenty years that Street Girls Aid has consistently served children on the street.  
 
Stories From The Streets brings together a careful selection of relevant information,

lessons learned and for organizations already working in the field of vulnerable children, or those yet to do so, a guide for their project implementation.

This book has intentionally moved away from dwelling on the many challenges facing the street children and rather, concentrates on the successes. After reading this book, readers will have gained a broader perspective of issues and the realities of street children. 

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will create an on-going source of income to support the next 20 years of Street Girls Aid mission, "Serving Street Children - Impacting Generations."

Follow this link to purchase the book on Amazon/

Their Trust Is In Our Hands

The re-launch of the Kickstarter to fund the book distribution and launch is well underway and I need your help. I need you to ensure that these stories are shared globally. I can’t sleep knowing that we have the responsibility to be the voice for these incredible, strong and impacting children and staff.

I am in the midst of writing and need to get back to that very important work. It will help me to focus all of my energy on doing these stories justice if the Kickstarter gets funded sooner than later. If the Kickstarter gets overfunded, the impact will just be that much greater – in equal if not exponential proportion and I can’t tell you what an energy boost that will be from here. Click on this link to pledge: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1689069355/stories-from-the-streets-0

I am immersed in the interviews, comments and quotes, heartfelt gratitude and heart-wrenching sadness turned upside down by one person who cared…Stories From The Streets is one of the hardest things I have faced and yet I am a speck on the face of the courage that these storytellers have demonstrated.

I am going to introduce you to several important people – Comfort and the social worker who learned a lot from Comfort. Here is a glimpse into my office today. These children have so much to teach us. We must do everything possible to lift these stories from the streets and let them walk into our lives. I am shutting off my social media, and any communication while I meet with these children and listen hard to what they have to tell me. Their stories, their trust and their inspiration are in our hands now. 

Please fund this Kickstarter. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1689069355/stories-from-the-streets-0

Thank you. And now let me introduce you to Comfort…

Comfort

Comfort went to live with her grandmother after her parents divorced and her mother was unable to care for her five young children. She dropped out of school at third grade when her grandmother could no longer afford to pay the school fees. Determined to get an education, Comfort put herself back in school paying the school fee by selling fire wood. Unfortunately, she dropped out in junior high and became house help in the town of Kumasi.

On her mother’s advice, she eventually moved to Accra to seek greener pastures. She got pregnant in her effort to survive on the street and the man responsible absconded leaving her alone, unable to feed herself and her child and concerned about not providing financial support for her mother back home in Kumasi.

A friend introduced Comfort to Street Girls Aid and she applied for the vocational training program without hesitation. And although she was eager to learn a skill, she often missed classes in order to work on the streets to earn money to send to her mother. It took some time for Comfort to adjust to her new environment at the refuge and status as a trainee but she completed her training program and

Serving Street Children; Impacting Generations

now braids hair.

Her thoughts about the impact of the program, “Life was very difficult. Even to get two meals a day was a problem but I can now buy food and eat. I can now send my child to the hospital when he is sick, I am able to send some money to my mother and am saving some money.”

The impact of Comfort’s experience on Street Girls Aid staff, “just a little assistance can result in improved lives for some of the children on the streets.” And the key lesson learned, “These children have dreams and potential that can be harnessed for their good.” 

Please continue to help these children dream and succeed  https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1689069355/stories-from-the-streets-0

Humility Through Service

I love this photo taken the last time I was in Ghana. We were piloting a tying class, learning how to tie head scarfs, how to tie the fabric to carry babies on our backs and how to wrap the fabric that we put on top of our heads to carry water. This class was a lot of fun - but it was also serious business!

I want to tell you a little bit about what this photo represents to me. I love this photo - it signifies humility and makes me humble just to think about how many girls it took to  get that bucket of water on my head. And then they had to walk next to me to ensure that I did not spill that precious resource being carried on my head!

It was a great honor to attempt to walk in their sandals even for a moment and it was such a privilege to be invited in. And, the honor of being asked to write the amazing stories of the street children impacted by Street Girls AID​ is equally humbling. Each day as I complete one more story, put voice to their hopes and dreams - all I want to do is share these stories with others. I can't wait to get this book to publication!!

The re-launched Kickstarter is focused on getting the book to the girls who shared their stories. We have simplified the request and eliminated a few components to get the budget to the current goal of $3,450. Please help me honor the girls who shared their stories by supporting this Kickstarter and showing them how much their voices matter. Stories From The Streets

Storytelling Through Fabric

Service, Security and God Woven Together Protecting Street Children

Street Girls Aid Fabric - Find The 5 Symbols

Service, security and God are all present in the Street Girls Aid 20^th Anniversary celebration cloth which is being used to make clothing, table runners, head scarfs, place mats, bags and so much more. The girls in the vocational training program are reminded constantly of the deep commitment to service and security that Street Girls Aid demonstrates daily in their work with street children as designs are created and sewn with the deep blue and white fabric shown here.

Adinkra symbols have been used in West Africa since the early 1800’s when King Adinkra was a king from the Ivory Coast. The symbols used

Stories From The Street...And Beyond...

I have the distinct honor of being asked to produce the book "Stories From The Street" an intimate Stories From The Streets Kickstarter
look at life as a street child in Accra, Ghana. And like most of my projects, we will be looking at the strengths, resources and perseverance of those who have survived and have even had successes through their challenges and obstacles. We are going to learn from the experts and we have so much to learn. You can get more information here:

To get the book to print in time for Street Girls Aid 20th Anniversary celebration this is going to take a considerable effort and I will need your full participation to make it happen. It is doable and I am ready to complete the project, the stories are sitting on my desk waiting to be edited, the photos waiting to be selected and the context content ready to be written and your participation in this Stories From The Streets Kickstarter will mean that this will be done in time to be delivered to the storytellers.

Stories From The Streets Kickstarter was originally dreamed by the Street Girls Aid staff during our strategic planning sessions and they have spent the last year seeking out former street children served by Street Girls Aid and interviewing them - I have those stories resting in the palm of my hands and they are screaming to be told. The storytellers deserve to have their voices heard, and just as importantly, the impact of these stories must be shared globally. When you join the Kickstarter - you will be part of lifting and sharing those stories.

It is really easy to join in to the Stories From The Streets Kickstarter and your pledge will only be redeemed when the goal is reached and after the target end date of May 10th. Together we can make this happen. Thank you for your support today!

Stories from street children served by Street Girls AID Ghana…will inspire, inform, and teach.  Share globally; impact generations. Stories From The Streets Kickstarter