Support African Arts by coming out for an evening of fun to benefit this internship program.

http://www.africanart.org/programs/265/emerging_leaders_for_african_art_host_a_benefit_celebrating_the_youth_ambassadors_internship_program

Tuesday, May 15, 2012Reception: 6 - 9 pm
Open bar: 6 - 7 pm
Taj Lounge, 48 West 21st Street
Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door

Stars, A Hilarious Look at "Gha-nglish"

Happy April, Stars! A little laughter to start the week/month/2nd Quarter.

A friend forwarded a link to this hilarious post on the blog GhanaCentric about the phrases that have become part of the Ghanaian English lexicon. Read the full post here: http://inghana.wordpress.com/2010/09/10/top-20-most-irritating-ghanaian-english-phrases-of-all-time/ 

 Have you said any of the phrases in the post?

Sky Tee Making Music with Jay-Z!

Hip life artist Sky Tee formally of 8pm Boys fame whose debut album 'hyia me na gye' hit the airwaves and TV screens a couple of years ago is currently in studio with hip hop legend Jay-Z working on his first solo album after splitting from 8pm Boyz group.

Read the full story on GhanaWeb.com.

Star Performance: Efya & Lynxxx, Thurs March 22nd

STARS!

PLEASE COME OUT AND SHOW SOME LOVE TO THIS GHANAIAN RISING STAR!!! 

FOR MORE INFORMATION CHECK OUT: http://www.dromnyc.com/events/1591/efya-and-lynxxx. 

Happy Independence, Stars!

How are you celebrating Ghana's 55th year of Independence? Join us for an after work drink as we raise a glass in toast of our homeland. We'll meet you at Verlaine's (110 Rivington Street) at 6pm on March 6th.

Are You Ready: Face2FaceAfrica Magazine!

Happy Almost Independence Day, Stars!!  Just days before we celebrate the 55th Anniversary of Ghanaian Independence, we're psyched to announce an exciting new endeavor to rebrand the continent -- Face2Face Africa Magazine! The print publication will cover relevant news from home and abroad from politics to business to style courtesy of our friends at Africa Style Daily. We can't wait! Don't miss the unveiling of the inaugural cover at the 2012 F.A.C.E. List Awards -- you can get your tix here.

Rising Star: Europe's Hottest African Art Dealer Patric Didier Claes

Patric Didier Claes is quickly making a name for himself bringing rare African art pieces to mainstream art collectors. In '98, he curated a show featuring 100 African objects. Last year, he presented an Nkonde nail fetish from the Lower Congo region call "Ngwadi". And this year, Claes unearthed a Nigerian Ekoi statue that measures 6'6" at the Brussels Antiques and Fine Art Fair (BRAFA) which ended today.

Claes recently did a Q&A with ArtInfo -- read the full interview at Artinfo.com.

Did You See Star 100 Pres Nana Dabanka on Africa Style Daily?

Nana was interviewed by the team at Africa Style Daily and the piece was picked up by Africa.com! She said of Star 100 New York's charitable initiatives and network: "Every single endeavor we have undertaken has given me a sense of accomplishment. Each time, I am proud and grateful that Star 100 and the community have taken the matter seriously, supported our causes and subsequently helped us better the lives of those who are less fortunate."

Read the full interview on AfricaStyleDaily.com.

Come See Jay Ghartey at Joe's Pub Today, 11:30p

Stars, we hope to see you at Jay Ghartey's performance tonight. Get all the deets on Joe's Pub's website, and get a taste in the video below. Can't wait!!

Kwame Nkrumah's Invitation to Martin Luther King, Jr

Happy New Year, Stars! And to those of you who were "cheeling" in Ghana over the Christmas-New Year break, Welcome Back! We hope your 2012 is off to a magnificent start.

As today is the official observance of legendary Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday, we wanted to share this blast from the past--a letter of invitation from Dr. Kwame Nkrumah to Dr. King and his wife to attend Ghana's inaugural independence in March 1957. It's a fitting reminder of the African and African-American connection, and a nice lead-up to the 55th anniversary of Ghana's Independence. Stay tuned for deets on Independence Day celebrations to come.

The letter reads as follows:

22 Jan ‘957

From Kwame Nkrumah

Prime Minister Nkrurnah invites King to attend the independence celebrations marking the transition of theBritishcolonytheGoldCoasttothenewAfricannationof Ghana.’ King accepted the invitation on I 2 February, and traveled with CorettaKing to the
festivities in early March.


REV MARTIN LUTTER KING ROOM 825, 5 BEEKMAN STREET, NEWY0K2

Dear {Dr.King,]

I am enclosing, herewith, a formal invitation to the ceremonies which will be held in Accra between the 2nd and loth March to mark the attainment ofinde- pendence by the Gold Coast under the name of Ghana. It would give me great personal pleasure if you should be able to attend.
It is regretted that the limitationsof the budget allowed for the celebrationswill not permit the Government to bear the cost of your passage, but you would, of course, be a guest of the Government while you are in the country during and im- mediately before the period of the celebrations.

I attach a provisional outline programme and some notes on the country in particular relation to the celebration^.^ Apart from the central events covered by the programme, there will be a number of subsidiary functions which should be 28Jan of interest.

Yours sincerely, [signed] Kwame Nkrumah

PRIME MINISTER.



I. Kwame Nkrumah (igog-ig72),born in Nkroful, Gold Coast, graduated from Achimota Col- lege in 193I. He later earned a B.A. (1939)and Th.B. (1942)from Lincoln University, and both an M.S. (1942)and M.A. (1943)from the University of Pennsylvania. While studying at the London School of Economics in 1945and 1946,Nkrumah was active in several Pan-African organizations. In 1947he returned home to serve as general secretary of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), which sought independence for the British colony. Dissatisfied with the slow progress ofthe UGCC, Nkrumah created the Convention People’s Party (CPP) in 1949to pursue self-government through a campaign of nonviolence and non-cooperation. Imprisoned for sedition in 1950,Nkrumah was re- leased in 1951when British-sanctioned elections overwhelminglyplaced him and the CPP in power. Under a British program known as “creative abdication,” Nkrumah became the first African-born prime minister in the historyofthe British Commonwealth. On 6 March 1957the Gold Coast became the independent nation of Ghana, with Nkrumah as prime minister: in 1960he became the repub- lic’s first president, remaining in office until being overthrown in 1966.
2. This letter was initially sent to Bayard Rustin,who had arranged the invitation for King with the help of his friend Bill Sutherland, an African-American pacifist then working for Nkrumah’s finance minister, K A. Gbedemah. In a 24January letter to Rustin, Sutherland gave King advice on appropri- ateattireandotherdetailsaboutthetrip (seeRustintoSutherland,8February1957;seealsoKing’she- lated thank-you letters to Nkrumah and Gbedemah, 17April 1959and 4May 1959,respectively).
3. Program, “GhanaIndependence Celebrations,”and “GhanaIndependence Celebrations,”both dated 22January 1957;see also Invitationsfor the celebrations for Ghana’sIndependence, 5March- II March 1957.

22January 1957 Accra, Gold Coast
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Papers Project

TALS. MLKP-MBU: Box 26A.

It was a Happy Holiday Fundraiser!!

Stars, thank you to everyone who came out last Saturday to the Star 100 Holiday Fundraiser, and to all our sponsors. It was an amazing and generous turnout in support of Rural Communities Empowerment Center, a charity that has opened two community centers in Apirede and Jumapo, Ghana. Major gratitude to everyone who participated in the silent auctions and purchased a raffle ticket on top of springing for a ticket, and we can't thank our sponsors enough -- Kristin Hanson, Belvedere, Tropical Ghana chef Charles Cann, DJ Zuko, Arik Air, photographer and video director Oluwaseye Olusa, videographer Eric Csoka, Miebaka Yohannes, and photographer Nancy Borowick -- for donating their resources and time to help make the event a success.

Real pictures to come, but wanted to share a few we snapped before the main event. Merry Christmas!!

Meet the DJ: From Ipanema to Accra to TriBeCa DJ ZUKO Will Bring the Beats at the Star 100 New York Holiday Fundraiser

DJ Zuko will be spinning his blend of Afrobeat and broken beat at the Star 100 New York Holiday Fundraiser. Purchase your $50 ticket by clicking the "Donate" button now.

STAR 100 NEW YORK: We want a preview of the DJ Zuko sound! Any links you can share of songs on your regular set list?
DJ ZUKO: Sure; here is a podcast from my website with full tracklist. It has a bit of Afrobeat, broken beat, etc. Just click on the title: "Your Soul Sound Choice"!

*100: How would you describe your sound?
ZUKO: That is a difficult question... This is how a critic described one of my sets:
'To Ipanema and beyond! DJ Zuko's adventurous blend of hip hop, house, broken beat, reggae and nu Jazz jettisons your feet to the dance floor all night long...!'

*100: Where/How do you find the hottest new sounds to add to your collection?
ZUKO: On the road. I try to bring a little of the flavor that I sample while traveling back home.I am constantly digging in the crates... Quite Literally! I wherever I am in... be it Tokyo, Jersey City, London, Amsterdam, or Albany... I post up in the Vinyl Shops. Yessir still Spinning Vinyl too!

*100: There are so many new artists redefining African music, who are your favorites?
ZUKO: Right now Efya is on rotation, She's Ghanaian so it's a no brainer.
Other new artists like Saba Saba and Kesse come to mind. As of late though Joshua Kissi and his Street Etiquette crew have done some amazing work bridging African Diaspora style and music together. I checked out a show and just got floored.

Meet the Winner: RURAL COMMUNITIES EMPOWERMENT CENTER

9,313 votes later, Rural Communities Empowerment Center is the winner of the vote to receive the funds raised at the Star 100 New York Holiday Fundraiser! Founded in 2002, the organization has opened two community centers in Apirede and Jumapo, Ghana offering library and computer services, mentoring programs, and empowerment skills.

Thank you to everyone who voted. Now help us raise a grip for this amazing organization by attending the Star 100 Holiday Fundraiser. A portion of the proceeds from your ticket will go directly to benefit the work RCEC is doing to empower girls and women for a better future.

Buy your ticket now by clicking the "Donate" button above and submitting your payment of $50.

Happy Holiday Spirit!

Meet the Sponsor: Arik Air

You'll have the chance to win a free roundtrip ticket to Africa on Arik Air at the Star 100 New York Fundraiser. Click the Donate button and buy your $40 ticket now. After November 30th, tickets increase to $50.

STAR 100 NEW YORK: Who founded Arik Air and why?
ARIK AIR: In 2002, with Nigeria Airways in liquidation, Arik Air’s Chairman Sir Arumemi-Ikhide, decided to buy a Hawker jet aircraft. Colleagues and contacts in the gas and oil industry started using the Hawker jet to fly themselves around Nigeria. So, another jet was acquired and before long, a corporate jet business was launched. The next step was to find the right people and the right aircraft to build an airline that would set new standards and change the face of the aviation industry in Africa. Arik Air was born - an airline with whom “Nigeria and the rest of Africa would be proud to fly”. Arik Air officially launched in 2006, Five years later, Arik Air is the leading airline in Nigeria with a new fleet of 23 aircrafts. We have flown over 8 million satisfied passengers to all parts of Nigeria, the West African region, and internationally, winning prestigious travel awards at home and abroad.


*100: Arik has been active in sponsoring African community events and personalities. (We were particularly intrigued by your sponsorship of Fela! on Broadway and Femi Kuti's US tour!) What is the strategy behind this?
AA: Corporate Social Responsibility is one of the key principles here at Arik Air. We believe in giving back to the community that has made us the fastest growing African airline. Along with Fela! On Broadway and the Femi Kuti US Tour, we have sponsored many other US-based African NGOs, media houses, and cultural organizations who we believe are working to improve the image of Africa, and promote the variety of cultures within the continent.

*100: Air travel to West Africa can be demoralizing on certain airlines thanks to substandard service, tight weight restrictions on baggage, and exorbitant levies in the event you exceed your baggage allowance. What differentiates Arik from other airlines flying to West Africa?
AA: The great thing about an African airline for Africans is that we wholeheartedly understand the needs of our passengers and reasons for which they are traveling. For most of our passengers, traveling home is a huge endeavor that takes months, and sometimes years, of saving up to achieve. When traveling with Arik Air, you can expect a baggage weight limit of 66lbs with options to bring a total of 10 pieces of luggage, which is much higher than that of the industry standard.

Our flagship Airbus A340s are fitted out in the most luxurious style. All 36 Premier Class seats are upholstered in sumptuous leather complete with their own touch-screen control unit that adjusts the seat to a flat 75 inch bed. Features also include a five-zone lumbar massage system, a retractable mirrored divider of privacy. World class movies, popular TV programs, and audio favorites are available for each passenger’s viewing and listening pleasure on their very own 17-inch screen. Nigerian and international dishes are served with a wine list that brings together bottles selected from the best vineyards around the world. Our on board Kira Bar Lounge features white leather sofas for your relaxation and a barman at your service.

On Arik Air, even our Economy Class is World Class. With fewer seats than other leading carriers on our routes, you will enjoy more leg room to stretch out in. You will also receive the same audio and video on-demand facility available for our Premier Class passengers and a menu of Nigerian and international dishes and selected wine list.

*100: When will you start flying direct to Ghana?
AA: At Arik Air, we recognize the continuingly growing demand from other West African nationals for increased travel options to their respective countries, especially Ghana. Today we offer daily flights to Accra from our Abuja and Lagos hubs with connections available to our New York travelers through Lagos. Flying non-stop to Ghana is certainly an option that we will be exploring in the future.

Meet the Sponsor: Tropical Ghana Chef Charles Cann

Chef Charles Cann is the founder of Tropical Ghana -- a contemporary approach to traditional Ghanaian cooking. You can sample his delicious bites at the Star 100 Holiday Fundraiser -- purchase your tickets today!

STAR 100 NEW YORK: What inspired you to found Tropical Ghana?

CHARLES CANN: The roots of Tropical Ghana can be traced to my days at Northwestern University. After cooking for one, two, three friends during my time at Northwestern, more and more friends kept asking me to cook. It was impossible to meet the cooking requests so I decided to put together an online Ghana cooking resource for everyone.

Later, after settling in New York City, my Northwestern friends still kept up the pressure. I got inspired to do something and dug out the forgotten online Ghana cooking resource project. After much thought, prayer, and consideration -- and also out of the desire to sustain a school supply donation drive started in 2002 to send school supplies to less privileged kids in schools in Ghana in the Ofankor/Taifa/Dome suburbs of Accra -- the Tropical Ghana Cookbooks Project was born in December 2006.

In 2010, the Tropical Ghana Cookbooks Project became Tropical Ghana – contemporary cooking, Ghana style. As part of Tropical Ghana, the Tropical Ghana Foundation aims to offer assistance to less privileged kids in Ghana to stay in school. Part of the proceeds from the sales of Tropical Ghana recipes help the foundation reach its goal of offering scholarships in small financial amounts to encourage and inspire kids to stay in school.


*100: What is "Tropical Ghanaian" cuisine?
CC: Tropical Ghana is contemporary cooking, Ghana style.

Tropical Ghana inspires, encourages, and empowers individuals who love Ghanaian cuisine, crave West African flavors, or are interested in exploring tropical ingredients, to try new recipes and share with their loved ones.

Tropical Ghana’s contemporary cooking is based on combining traditional and non-traditional techniques in cooking. Traditionally, people in Ghana cook with the goal of sharing a meal that is a balanced diet with their family and they work tirelessly to achieve this goal. Our non-traditional approach is employing creative and innovative cooking methods. Our unique contemporary approach is what makes us believe that cooking should be simple, fun and healthy.

*100: Ghanaian foods run the gamut from heavy (rich in oil) and carb-rich, to healthy (beans, fish, fresh meat, and greens including kontomre and banana leaves). What's your recommendation for a balanced Ghanaian diet?
CC: We all know a simple balanced diet should contain portions of carbohydrates (staples like yam, cassava, maize), proteins (beans, chicken, beef) and vitamins (fruits and vegetables) in right portions. In Ghana, we are blessed to have varieties of dishes that are rich in nutrients. Over the years, we have moved away from moderation and the steps to eating right. Waakye for instance is very healthy meal. The rice and beans give you proteins and carbohydrates. Should it be topped with fried plantains, tomato gravy, shito, we are on track. An orange later and we have a balanced diet.

But is that the case? Our biggest challenge is we are not moderate, we want extra plantains, macaroni, eggs, beef, wele, fish, and more gari -- by the end of the list we have killed the idea of a balanced diet. Our other challenge is that we are moving away from wholesome food and we keep adding more and more processed foods and food additives to enhance flavors which our fresh ingredients like ginger, garlic, peppers and many more offer in abundance.

Our use of oil in cooking is also excessive, and the familiar sight of a sea of oil at the top of stew, sauces, and soup is another challenge we have to fight to maintain a balanced diet and a healthier life style.


*100: Please share an easy and quick-to-prepare Tropical Ghana recipe.
CC:
Tangerine Ginger Chicken Recipe
Serves: 5
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes


1½lbs (24oz) cleaned thin sliced chicken breast

For Marinade
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons fresh minced garlic
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

For Tangerine Ginger
4 large tangerines
1 large peeled and cleaned ginger root

Time to Cook
Combine ingredients for marinade and pour over chicken in a bowl.
Cover and refrigerate for 10 minutes.

Cut ginger in pieces and combine with two juiced tangerines in a blender. Preheat grill or grilling pan.

Pour tangerine ginger mix over chicken, and coat well. Grill chicken, turning occasionally till cooked, juicy and golden brown.

Peel and slice remaining 2 tangerines, remove seeds and place over chicken.

Cut chicken into strip, stick toothpicks through tangerine slices and chicken, and serve this finger food Tropical Ghana style.
##########

The new website www.tropicalghana.com will be up in December.

You're Invited to the Star 100 New York Holiday Party - December 10, 7-10:30p

Stars, let's have some fun and raise some FUNDS for a worthy Ghanaian charity!

On Saturday December 10th, please join us for an end of year celebration complete with delicious bites courtesy of Tropical Ghana, Afro beats provided by DJ Zuko, and drinks courtesy of Belvedere. You can also win a roundtrip ticket to Africa on Arik Air!

Buy your ticket now by clicking the "Donate" button above and submitting your secure payment of $50!

Star Shots: Check Out this Ghana Photo Exhibit!

Stars, this summer several Star 100 New York members spoke on a panel at Brotherhood-SisterSol's Harlem headquarters, sharing tales of Ghana for the group of young people and their mentors, preparing to visit Ghana for the first time. On Tuesday December 6th, Brotherhood-SisterSol is exhibiting the photos from their memorable trip. Come out, come out, wherever you are and support this organization committed to empowering young people of color in New York.

RSVP: info@brotherhood-sistersol.org or 212-283-7044.

Stars, It's Time for 'New African Fashion'!

On Wednesday November 30th, Ghanaian designer Mimi Plange, legendary model and activist Bethann Hardison, Heritage1960 founder Enyinne Owunwanne, & Mataano Designers Ayaan and Idyl Mohallim are converging in the New York Public Library to fete Helen Jennings' new book and discuss its topic: New African Fashion! As editor-in-chief of one of the hottest fashion magazines on the stands dedicated to high African fashion, Jennings' book should offer more of the same commentary and eye candy. Come prepared to listen to lively discussion about Africa's impact on fashion past and present -- and to purchase a signed copy.

See you there!

Wednesday, November 30, 2011, 6 - 8p
New York Public Library
Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, Margaret Liebman Berger Forum
42nd Street and 5th Avenue
(Arrive at 5:30p to ensure a seat -- it's first come, first serve)

[photo courtesy of AFWNY.com]

Meet the Finalist: ORPHANAID AFRICA, FOUNDED BY LISA LOVATT-SMITH

OrphanAID Africa, founded by Lisa Lovatt-Smith, is a finalist to receive funds raised from the annual Star 100 fundraiser.

STAR 100 NEW YORK: When did you start OrphanAID Africa?
ORPHANAID AFRICA: 2002. I have been living in Ghana for ten years.

*100: What inspired you to start OrphanAID Africa?
OAA: The feeling that I, an ordinary person could change things, that it really didn't take much money to transform a child's life..that with a few dollars you can give the gift of education.. Or even the gift of life itself with proper food and care...in short, that change was possible and within my reach.

*100: What is OrphanAID's mission?
OAA: I like to summarize it in just one line:

"Helping children to grow up in stable, safe and permanent families."

But the official mission is:

Orphan Aid Africa is a non-profit, non-governmental organization. Its aim is to support orphans and vulnerable children in Ghana through programs in Care Reform, family support , education and development. Our goal is to ensure that children grow up in safe and permanent family settings with appropriate care and protection. OA is an implementing partner in the National Plan of
Action for Orphans and Vulnerable Children.

Vision
The staff and management's vision for OrphanAid Africa Ghana is:
To create an environment where orphans and vulnerable children grow up in safe, permanent and loving family settings with appropriate care and protection and with equal rights and opportunities.

To support the implementation of the NPA by migrating our family support programs to other specialized stakeholders and focusing on the areas of:

-De-institutionalization
-Tracing and reunification
-Training of parents, foster parents and social workers to support the program of tracing, reunification, and de-institutionalization work in the NPA so many OVC inappropriately placed in homes (usually for reasons of poverty) can live in family care.

*100: What have been the greatest challenges to accomplishing OrphanAID's mission?
OAA: The huge amount of money involved in child trafficking. The child trafficking
industry is powerful and completely underground so there is a mafia-like structure around it which is very frightening and has led to threats and great violence toward us and me in particular. The biggest positive has been the introduction of the national health insurance, the availability of anti-retroviral nationwide, a structured response to AIDS at the level of the
Ministry of Health, and the general ease of collaboration with government ...plus the fact
that Ghanaian society is so tolerant, moral, and caring.

*100: What has been the single most gratifying experience/victory you've had since you've been at the helm of OrphanAID?
OAA: The best experience is seeing beautiful self-confident young women and men walking around with their heads held high -- when I know that they were hours away from death when they came to us as small children.

Meet the Finalist: RURAL COMMUNITIES EMPOWERMENT CENTER, FOUNDED BY PHILOMENA AMOAKO

Philomena Amoako is the Founder/President of Rural Communities Empowerment Center, a finalist to receive funds raised at the annual Star 100 New York Fundraiser.

STAR 100 NEW YORK: When did you start Rural Communities Empowerment Center (RCEC)?
RURAL COMMUNITIES EMPOWERMENT CENTER: In 2002, RCEC obtained NGO status in Ghana and US with registered charity 501(c) (3) status in 2003. In 2004 the first RCEC one-stop-shop Community Resource Center (CRC) was established in Apirede providing four core services: library, ICT facilities, mentoring programs, and women and adolescent girls’ empowerment skills programs; followed by the second CRC in Jumapo in 2008. The CRCs are in the eastern region of Ghana. As the Chief of Apirede said at the inauguration, “We are proud to say that our citizens now have all the tools needed for self-help, development, and to catch the 21st century train.”

*100: What inspired you to start RCEC?
RCEC: The inspiration to start RCEC came over a period of time. Each time I visited my home town (Apirede) in Ghana, I saw the deterioration of education standards, lack of teaching resources and learning facilities. On those visits, teachers, schoolchildren, and parents stated the urgency of having books, teachers’ resource materials, and what they considered the modern way of getting information – (ICT).

The visible need of the people in the community was further reinforced by conversations with my parents. They would talk about the needs of the children and our conversations always ended with, “never lose sight of where you come from.”

Several conversations with family and friends reinforced educating the next generation, empowering a community with skills for economic independence for girls and women.

*100: What is RCEC’s mission?
RCEC: Empower underprivileged rural communities with literacy tools and skills for economic development so citizens can take charge of their lives and break the cycle of poverty.

*100: What have been the greatest challenges to accomplishing RCEC’s mission?
RCEC: As with any venture, success was not immediate. It was a slow and uneven process of growth over the years, changing management (rural communities are not equipped to take on such projects), hand-holding, evolving rules and policies, dedication, communication, and the hard work it takes to keep the CRCs running well.

We also continuously face the growing demand on the CRCs as more families become aware of the potential for their children. For example, since we started the mentoring programs for the 13-17 year olds there have been complaints from the staff of the CRCs that there is simply too much demand for the activities! I suppose this is a wonderful “high quality” problem to have.

*100: What has been the single most gratifying experience/victory you’ve had since you’ve been at the helm of RCEC?
RCEC: There are several gratifying experiences:
o Over 2,000 school children, teachers and adults have been given introductory classes in ICT. More than 3,000 have learned and used the Internet.
o Interest in reading has increased sharply with over 20,000 people, mostly schoolchildren and teachers using the library facilities.
o Gender equality is on the rise. Women are now better articulating their needs and those of their children.
o Adolescent school drop-outs are receiving training in tailoring which has led to the inception of the burgeoning Naana B. handbag and clothing line.

But the most gratifying and humble experience is seeing broad smiles on faces of adolescent girls who through RCEC mentoring programs of Math, Science, and English have passed the Basic School Certificate Examination and have obtained admissions into some of the better public high schools. Competing with their urban counterparts -- something they never dreamt would happen to them.

The lesson for me is that empowering communities with the strength to foster and manage their own development is the greatest gift you can give, and that “empowerment starts one community at a time.” Also, providing children and youth a chance to dream is equally powerful.
For more information on RCEC go to www.rcempowerment.org.