The Christmas Drive Kindness 2022 was a great success because of you. Yes, I meant you, parents, teachers, and students. The support we received was so encouraging. Last December, the cost of food was so high and we were aware that so many families were struggling to feed themselves once a day. We, the Class of 2024 felt that we could do something for many families in the Ashaiman slums, even though our efforts may seem little, on the distribution day we realized what it meant to the dozens of families who receive it. With the amount raised (GHC 21,250), we managed to make 125 food bags, filled with basic provisions, a solar LED light, and love. 33 Students from our class were on campus a week after we vacated ready to distribute them. What an experience for all of us this drive was. We walked through those impoverished squatters, so concerned with the lack of infrastructure around. Most of them after receiving their bag of goodies asked to pray for us, others were just praising God for the gift. They advised us to continue doing our best to support those in need and to not forget how privileged we are. It was so touching and emotional, an eye-opening experience that will drive us to do more, to do better. We hope one day, no one on earth will face hunger, poverty will be eradicated, and we would all live in a peaceful world.

Dayna Sarpong & Maa Abena Afriyie-Owusu – Christmas Drive Kindness Leaders, G11

I had a great time sharing food and lights with those in need. It was a great experience because it gave me insight into what other people are dealing with in life. One challenge I faced was communicating with those in need. It was challenging for me to communicate with the locals because I couldn’t understand my dialect. Some skills that came in handy were my communication and social skills.

The experience helped me learn that everything is possible once you make up your mind about it. I enjoyed walking with my friends and carrying goods and water to give to the needy. An unforgettable moment was when several of my friends were afraid to walk because of the passing motorcyclists. I found it funny because they seemed particularly alarmed about infallible conditions. Maadjoa Kakra Obeng-Nkansah – Christmas Drive 2022, Grade 11.

I got to understand the struggle some people in our community go through. The sharing of goods, in particular, really opened my eyes and showed me how fortunate and blessed I am. It was nice to help those in need. Raising funds for the products was the most challenging thing I did. I had to explain to others why this project was necessary and how others don’t have access to the money to purchase basic things such as food, water, or sanitary towels. But through the use of colorful and informative flyers, I managed to get others on board to donate. Next time around, I will make the reusable pads myself. It is always necessary to help those around you and support your community. I’m glad I’m learning about this at a young age so that when I get older and have to deal with real-world situations, I’ll be prepared. Be thankful for what you have because some people don’t have anything. I also discovered that helping those in need also helps. Seeing the smiles on the faces of the people we donated to and hearing their words of gratitude was an unforgettable moment. – Veronica Arthur – Code Red, Grade 11.

Through the process, I understood the value of planning and organization. Within the time allotted, we managed to donate to the cause, pack the packages, and arrange them efficiently. As a result, we completed the donation by the deadline we set for ourselves, and it was a huge success. On the day of implementation, I realized how much it means to give and actively participate in service. Many of the people who benefited from our assistance expressed gratitude, and I think what we did helped them. The language barrier between the recipients and me was the biggest obstacle I had to overcome. Since most residents of the community did not speak English, I initially thought I would be unable to distribute the packages on my own. However, with the assistance of my colleagues, I was able to overcome this obstacle. When I handed out my packages, others spoke on my behalf. Next time, I would try to form sentences in the language with the help of my friends to communicate even a bit. Collaboration is a skill required for the success of this initiative. My takeaway from this experience is that there is no downside to service. A particularly memorable experience was when we delivered a package to a family, and the young boy in the family jumped for joy when he saw it. – Dzidzor Mac-Deh – Christmas Kindness Drive. Grade 11.