Support initiatives that are just getting started!
Each of these projects will come to life thanks to people like you. We’re preparing activities for children, seniors, and the entire community.
CAMP FOR
CHILDREN & YOUTH
CHILDREN & YOUTH
14$
- Art workshops
- Sports activities
- Meals included: lunch and dessert
A PROJECT FOR
SENIORS
SENIORS
42$
- We provide care and support
- We offer medical assistance
- We deliver food packages & essential hygiene items
CONFERENCE SISTERHOOD & BROTHERHOOD
14$
- Education through support and action
- Hygiene kit for girls
- Hygiene kit for boys
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When a child smiles, the whole world smile.
Our activity
The nursery takes care of 60-80 children between 2 and 5 years old. The main emphasis is on preparation for school (teaching reading and counting, basic English language all this based on playful learning), teaching the habits of hygiene, respect for local traditions, singing songs and creative development, as well as fun and sporting activities.
Promoting a healthy lifestyle. Children often come to school hungry and it often happens that this is their only nourishing meal of the day; meals are prepared from local products, rich in nutrients and carbohydrates to provide the child strength for the day; every day children also get fruit for dessert.
Its unique project that symbolize a relationship between girls based on trust, respect and mutual support. Twice per month we gather 80 ladies from 11-17 yo creating an open space for discussion in safe space around the topics that are essential for young ladies like hygiene, sanitation, personal goals and self-esteem.
Trainings and workshops are part of our aim as a personal development pathway for our staff and local community. Among 8 people working with us only 2 of them have a degree in education that enable them to be fully equipped to work they're doing. We want to give them the chance for capacity and skills building through educational training and entrepreneurship workshops.
Medical Support
In cases where medical intervention is required, we help to get in touch with a doctor and finance necessary medical assistance or operations.
We invite you to explore our blog, where you can stay up-to-date with all the exciting events and impactful initiatives of the Start From Ghana Foundation. Dive into our stories and discover how we're making a difference – we hope you'll find inspiration and join us on this incredible journey!
Start From Ghana
Feel our heart
Monika & Eddie Quarcoo
Foundation initiators in the heart of Ghana
Monika – an educator, therapist, and social leader whose heart beats for purpose-driven change. As the founder of Start from Ghana, a grassroots charity transforming lives in Ghana through education, healthcare, nutrition, and community-led initiatives, she believes that real impact begins where empathy meets action. Rooted in a deep love for people and meaningful conversations, she finds joy in gathering around the table and in words that inspire growth. Her journey reflects a commitment to building communities grounded in dignity, opportunity, and hope: one story, one table, and one initiative at a time.
Her first experience on the African continent dates back to 2010, when she took part in a six-month training program for social workers and missionaries in South Africa. There, she worked with street children, led activation workshops, and provided therapeutic support in local orphanages in Pretoria. She first came to Ghana on an educational mission to teach at one of the schools. However, the trip unfolded in a way she could never have imagined. She found herself in a small village, where she began building relationships with local women working on a palm oil farm. She quickly recognized their daily challenge, the lack of a safe place where they could leave their children while at work. It was from this deeply moving need that the idea of building the Janusz Korczak Kindergarten was born.
Eddie – an operations manager at a transport company in Ghana and Togo. From the very beginning, he actively supported the creation of the Janusz Korczak Kindergarten by maintaining close contact with local authorities, negotiating cooperation terms, and ensuring the facility was supplied with essential resources.
However, his involvement went far beyond organizational matters. Eddie has always carried a deep care for children and youth in his heart. He believes they hold the potential to change the world for the better, which is why he is fully committed to supporting their development, passing on strong values, and helping build solid foundations for their future. Through education, he sees a real opportunity for change, providing young people not only with knowledge, but also with tools and opportunities that allow them to grow and thrive.
His mission has always been to instill hope and to show that happiness and fulfillment are not distant goals, accessible only “somewhere abroad,” but something each person can discover within themselves. Eddie believes that through inner growth, effort, and mutual support, it is possible to build a better life and strong, thriving communities. Through this approach, he inspires others to take action and proves that change begins within us - right where we live and shape our everyday reality.
Her first experience on the African continent dates back to 2010, when she took part in a six-month training program for social workers and missionaries in South Africa. There, she worked with street children, led activation workshops, and provided therapeutic support in local orphanages in Pretoria. She first came to Ghana on an educational mission to teach at one of the schools. However, the trip unfolded in a way she could never have imagined. She found herself in a small village, where she began building relationships with local women working on a palm oil farm. She quickly recognized their daily challenge, the lack of a safe place where they could leave their children while at work. It was from this deeply moving need that the idea of building the Janusz Korczak Kindergarten was born.
Eddie – an operations manager at a transport company in Ghana and Togo. From the very beginning, he actively supported the creation of the Janusz Korczak Kindergarten by maintaining close contact with local authorities, negotiating cooperation terms, and ensuring the facility was supplied with essential resources.
However, his involvement went far beyond organizational matters. Eddie has always carried a deep care for children and youth in his heart. He believes they hold the potential to change the world for the better, which is why he is fully committed to supporting their development, passing on strong values, and helping build solid foundations for their future. Through education, he sees a real opportunity for change, providing young people not only with knowledge, but also with tools and opportunities that allow them to grow and thrive.
His mission has always been to instill hope and to show that happiness and fulfillment are not distant goals, accessible only “somewhere abroad,” but something each person can discover within themselves. Eddie believes that through inner growth, effort, and mutual support, it is possible to build a better life and strong, thriving communities. Through this approach, he inspires others to take action and proves that change begins within us - right where we live and shape our everyday reality.
Since 2013, they have been jointly conducting social activities aimed at improving educational opportunities for children and youth from rural areas of Ghana. They participated in the Polish Aid development and humanitarian assistance project, co-financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In January 2016, they initiated the creation of the Start From Ghana Foundation and until this day, they continue to expand the scope of its activities in line with its original vision.
About the village
Duadze is a small village located in the central region of Ghana. It is located 113 km from the capital - Accra. A bumpy and winding cinnamon road leads to the village through equatorial forests and coconut palm plantations.
The village has approx. 1000 inhabitants. They're open, hospitable, hardworking and friendly people. Life in the village revolves around a small market, a grocery store, a kindergarten, a well where women fetch water and road where local tro tro (bus) stops to pick passengers going to the main town. The core activities in this region involve agricultural cultivation, production of palm oil and handicrafts.
The village has approx. 1000 inhabitants. They're open, hospitable, hardworking and friendly people. Life in the village revolves around a small market, a grocery store, a kindergarten, a well where women fetch water and road where local tro tro (bus) stops to pick passengers going to the main town. The core activities in this region involve agricultural cultivation, production of palm oil and handicrafts.
About the village
Duadze is a small village located in the central region of Ghana. It is located 113 km from the capital - Accra. A bumpy and winding cinnamon road leads to the village through equatorial forests and coconut palm plantations.
The village has approx. 1000 inhabitants. They're open, hospitable, hardworking and friendly people. Life in the village revolves around a small market, a grocery store, a kindergarten, a well where women fetch water and road where local tro tro (bus) stops to pick passengers going to the main town. The core activities in this region involve agricultural cultivation, production of palm oil and handicrafts.
The village has approx. 1000 inhabitants. They're open, hospitable, hardworking and friendly people. Life in the village revolves around a small market, a grocery store, a kindergarten, a well where women fetch water and road where local tro tro (bus) stops to pick passengers going to the main town. The core activities in this region involve agricultural cultivation, production of palm oil and handicrafts.
Duadze is a village in the south of Ghana with approximately 1,000 inhabitants.
5°17'09.0"N 1°02'55.1"W
5°17'09.0"N 1°02'55.1"W
Our location
Children between 5 and 16 years of age are subject to compulsory education. Despite this, one third of women between 30 and 45 cannot read or write. Education is free, but the level of it is low. There are multiple reasons the system of educational is struggling, among other things, it is very hard to find qualified staff. Additionally, public schools are usually overcrowded – often, there is only one classroom, temporarily split, holding classes for 2 groups of approx. 100 students in the same time. Buying basic school equipment is a big challenge for families from the rural areas. There is no educational aid. After graduating from the compulsory schooling program, children in the countryside usually do not have the opportunity for further education or access to vocational training.
Children between 5 and 16 years of age are subject to compulsory education. Despite this, one third of women between 30 and 45 cannot read or write. Education is free, but the level of it is low. There are multiple reasons the system of educational is struggling, among other things, it is very hard to find qualified staff. Additionally, public schools are usually overcrowded – often, there is only one classroom, temporarily split, holding classes for 2 groups of approx. 100 students in the same time. Buying basic school equipment is a big challenge for families from the rural areas. There is no educational aid. After graduating from the compulsory schooling program, children in the countryside usually do not have the opportunity for further education or access to vocational training.
The day to day life of entire families revolves mainly around work. Women, men often along with their young children spend most of their day in the factory. However, it looks significantly different comparing to the European version of a factory plant. Women work in the production of palm oil at dawn before the hot, tropical heat gets unbearable. They operate the machines manually and the results of their work can be sold once a week on the local market in Mankessim.
Like every other village, Duadze is led by a local authority. It is a typical caste system. The village has a King and a Queen who keep order in the village. At the same time, they represent the interests of the local community outside and advise on important matters. They are held in the highest esteem and their opinions are respected by the villagers.
Duadze is one of the thousands of villages in Ghana with over 13 million people, which is 42% of the country's population. However it was this place that stole our hearts. Thanks to involvement and openness of the community that was eager to see the change and make it happened.
“
If you want to go fast, go alone.
If you want to go far, go together.
If you want to go far, go together.
We believe that what we do in Ghana has a real impact on children
and people from the local community. Seeing joy on faces of kids
reminds us that every act of kindness is an investment in their future.
Thank you for being a part of this journey.
and people from the local community. Seeing joy on faces of kids
reminds us that every act of kindness is an investment in their future.
Thank you for being a part of this journey.
Contact
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