If you want to see what hope looks like, go to the most remote village in a developing country where there is no electricity, no running water, no paved roads, with homes made of mud huts. “Dr, we have suffered for so long from many problems, lack of good roads, water, unavailability of electricity. And the school you’re building for us I hope and believe that through your intervention, all these problems would become things in the past. We the people from Gakpokorpe are very happy about this marvelous project you brought to us. Even words can’t define it but the voices from Gakpokorpe are shouting and saying thank you. May the good Lord richly bless you.” This was a Facebook message I received from Simon, a senior high school student who worked tirelessly with his father every day at Hope for Ghana’s worksite.

I was inspired by the beautiful people in this tiny village, and moved at the immense gratitude that was so palpable each day during my recent visit in Ghana. I was touched by the faithfulness and commitment of my team who built a school’s foundation with love, blood, sweat and tears. My foreman, Gustav, expressed to me early on that “this is a sacrifice.” In that beautiful moment we taught each other about the need to sacrifice for others. Gustav understands the mission. The community of skilled and unskilled workers that came to work every day understood the mission. An entire community embraced the chance to be part of something that would change generations of children forever in this remote part of the world.

These are the beautiful people of Gakpokorpe.

I returned to Pittsburgh over 3 weeks ago after experiencing my most emotional journey in Ghana. Today, 7 weeks after a spiritual groundbreaking ceremony upon my arrival in Ghana, my team has finally gone home after completing the first phase of Mason’s School of Hope. What is left behind is much more than the cement and mortar that you see here. Watch the video “Water is Life” below to see the borehole drilled into the ground and the pump that now supplies the village with clean, drinkable water. A part of the project that was simply intended to supply “plumbing” for toilets in a village with no running water has now changed the lives of an entire community. Here is what Hope for Ghana has left behind until I return in February.

WATER IS LIFE.  Enjoy the sight of clean water coming into Gakpokorpe for the first time.

To everyone who shares this journey with me you will certainly be proud of what has been started in this very grateful village. The people of Gakpokorpe and the surrounding villages are feeling hope in a way they have never imagined possible. They have water. Soon they will have a school of their own. Most of all they are grateful that the world around them cares enough to want to bring them a brighter tomorrow.

This beautiful village has changed me forever. Thank you for sharing a vision of hope and opportunity with the children of Ghana. Click here to continue donating to this enormous project. Together the possibilities are boundless. Together we will change the next generation of children in Ghana.