Blake McAfoos’ passport tells a narrative of journey—colourful stamps from Indonesia, Bali, Turkey, and Mexico mark his travels. However his latest journey to Ghana left an indelible mark on his coronary heart.
In January, Blake joined a gaggle of adventurous college students and oldsters on a multi-stop tour by Ghana, a West African nation wealthy in tradition and resilience.
Witnessing Resilience Amidst Challenges
In Accra, Blake visited casual settlements missing primary companies like clear water, waste administration, and electrical energy. He recollects, “An enormous river runs by this space, nevertheless it was dry season, so there was no water—solely a dry riverbed of trash.” Regardless of the hardships, he was struck by the heat and willpower of the folks. “Youngsters assist carry items on their heads, folks promote meals within the streets, and younger ladies are studying to make and promote cleaning soap,” he noticed.
His mom, Kerri McAfoos, co-chair of Alternative Worldwide’s Board of Governors, famous, “It was really subsistence residing: having what you’ll want to keep alive, however no extra.”
A College That Modified His Perspective
In northern Ghana, Blake visited a faculty that redefined his understanding of schooling. “It didn’t appear to be a faculty. It was a construction with dust flooring and a tin roof that shook with the wind,” he described. Fifty youngsters crowded into small rooms, standing to greet their guests in English. When mud crammed the air, Blake stepped outdoors, reflecting on the distinction to his personal faculty in Denver. “I considered my faculty’s carpeted lecture rooms and useful desks,” he stated, gaining a deep appreciation for his personal instructional alternatives and for the scholars’ resilience.
Throughout Ghana and different elements of the world, Alternative Worldwide companions with colleges identical to this one—working to broaden entry to high quality schooling in communities the place it’s wanted most.
A Future Impressed by Compassion
Blake’s journey to Ghana wasn’t only a journey expertise—it was a turning level. For years, he watched his mother, Kerri, dedicate herself to serving communities all over the world. Her dedication to increasing alternative and dignity by schooling and financial empowerment left a long-lasting impression. In Ghana, Blake noticed firsthand what that work appears to be like like on the bottom—and the way deeply it issues.
As he prepares to graduate from Mullen Excessive College in Denver and embark on finding out in Barcelona earlier than attending the College of Miami, Blake carries with him extra than simply recollections. He carries a deepened sense of accountability—formed by the folks he met, the tales he heard, and the values instilled in him at dwelling.
For the McAfoos household, philanthropy isn’t only a custom—it’s a manner of being. And now, a brand new technology is able to carry it ahead.
