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 bunch of adventurous college students and oldsters on a multi-stop tour via 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 via this space, but it surely 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. “Children assist carry items on their heads, folks promote meals within the streets, and younger girls 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 could keep alive, however no extra.”
A Faculty That Modified His Perspective
In northern Ghana, Blake visited a college that redefined his understanding of training. “It didn’t appear to be a college. It was a construction with filth flooring and a tin roof that shook with the wind,” he described. Fifty kids crowded into small rooms, standing to greet their guests in English. When mud crammed the air, Blake stepped exterior, reflecting on the distinction to his personal college in Denver. “I considered my college’s carpeted school rooms and practical 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 similar to this one—working to develop entry to high quality training 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 world wide. Her dedication to increasing alternative and dignity via training and financial empowerment left an enduring impression. In Ghana, Blake noticed firsthand what that work appears like on the bottom—and the way deeply it issues.
As he prepares to graduate from Mullen Excessive Faculty in Denver and embark on learning 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 house.
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.
