[challenge:future] mmofra trom bead project

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By Laura Garlo and the MTBP Members On-going project since 2007; 15+ hours/week committed; 25 members; 16 vulnerable children impacted

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Page 1: [Challenge:Future] Mmofra Trom Bead Project

By Laura Garlo and the MTBP MembersOn-going project since 2007; 15+ hours/week committed; 25 members; 16 vulnerable children impacted

Page 2: [Challenge:Future] Mmofra Trom Bead Project

The Mmofra Trom Center

• Prestigious elementary school near Somaya, Ghana.• Began as an orphanage for children whose parents died of

AIDs• Today is a financially sustainable school that attracts tuition

paying children from throughout the country• Still keeps to its mission of supporting children that do not

have parents to take care of them through tuition subsidies for 16 vulnerable children

Page 3: [Challenge:Future] Mmofra Trom Bead Project

The Children

• These children are the happiest, most grateful, hardworking children in the world.

• They were born into unfortunate situations but have been given the opportunity to live, be emotionally supported and educated through the Mmofra Trom Center.

• They take their studies seriously and have aspirations of being doctors, entrepreneurs and firefighters.

• They have ambitions to elevate living standards in Ghana and make a difference in their community and the world.

Page 4: [Challenge:Future] Mmofra Trom Bead Project

The Dilemma

• The children are able to attend the Mmofra Trom Center until 9th grade.

• After 9th grade, since these children do not have the money to attend high school, they would be forced to begin to work at this young age.

• These children have the fundamental knowledge to pursue a career that will enhance their lives and bring change to the country but do not have the financial means to continue their education.

• If these children were forced to work after graduating 9th grade, they might not ever reach their full potential

Page 5: [Challenge:Future] Mmofra Trom Bead Project

The Solution

• Students at Bentley University developed a plan to provide these children with funding to obtain a higher education

• After spending time in Ghana and assisting the children with their arts and crafts and activities, they realized that these children made beautiful bracelets in their spare time that could be sold in the United States

• 100% of the profits from this enterprise supports the children’s future education costs

Page 6: [Challenge:Future] Mmofra Trom Bead Project

Project Today

• The 16 vulnerable children at the Mmofra Trom Center string bracelets every other Saturday for a couple of hours

• The beads are bought from a women-owned-and-run company that makes vibrant recycled glass beads

• After the bracelets are made, they are shipped to the United States where the Bentley University students sell them on our website, through vendors, and through event sales

• Today the project has retained $24,000 in profits that will be used to pay for high school tuition for the children upon graduation

Page 7: [Challenge:Future] Mmofra Trom Bead Project

Plan for Expansion

• The project is still working to reach its goal to send the children to high school (Data table Below)

• After we reach this goal, we will work to raise enough money to send them to college

• Upon having enough funding for these children to have a complete education, we will expand the project to send more children to school

Page 8: [Challenge:Future] Mmofra Trom Bead Project

Current Endeavors of MTBP

• Attend the Ashoka U conference in February to teach other students how to create and run a social enterprise

• Spread project to other universities to use to help other vulnerable children

• Created a fundraiser system where organizations could purchase MTBP bracelets for $5.00 and sell them for the full price of $10.00 – They will use the profit they create to support the non-profit of their

choice

Page 9: [Challenge:Future] Mmofra Trom Bead Project

Background on Bentley Students

• The students volunteer their time to help run this business.• We have no paid employees.• Operations are continued through months that school is

not in session through non-paid internships.• Students meet once a week to discuss progress and assign

tasks to be completed before next week• Students have a goal of visiting the Mmofra Trom Center

before graduation

Page 10: [Challenge:Future] Mmofra Trom Bead Project

Quote from Director of the Mmofra Trom Center

• “I don't put much stock in promises. People make promises very lightly. I put stock in action. What people do, not what people say they will do. Bentley has given us action, not words. Your students have expressed interest in helping the children build a bead business. They have taken certain actions over the last two years. They have carefully built up a way to market the products our children can produce. We can be in charge of our future. And the children, this is the work they must do to build the bead business. There is so, so much dignity in work. So much dignity in hard work. The children are working very very hard as students in school, but they also know very very well that they can work on Saturdays, too, for their future. They cheer each time I tell them the amount of cedis in their school account. It is a fantastic figure. We thank God each day for Bentley students. Sarah and I don't have to worry worry worry about how we will send all these children to high school. We know very well you are working for the children, too. We sleep well. To all of Bentley, we say thank you thank you thank you.”

Page 11: [Challenge:Future] Mmofra Trom Bead Project

C:F Contributors• Laura Garlo -- Alissa Palatiello– Jenna Cavicchia Bentley University, U.S.A