Back to Humjibre, the "Resting Place"

The following is a guest blog written by Emily Wei, one of GHEI’s founders who recently returned to Humjibre for a short visit.

A few months ago, I arrived back in the village I once called home, eager to see old friends, colleagues, and students. In 2003, Ghana Health and Education Initiative was just a name, an idea, and a few people who wanted Humjibre to become a place where brainy students could go to school despite financial limitations, families could outdo the scourge of malaria, and community members contributed to make it all happen. Now, in 2013, in its tenth year of existence, GHEI and Humjibre are flourishing. On the land we were gifted by the community now stands not only the community center that I was privy to seeing built (not without struggles, and sadly a death of our engineer who the center is named after), but offices, a computer room, a library and ample volunteer housing space. The center is truly that, located at the center of the village, and a place for people to congregate, learn and hopefully, be inspired. I know in my short stay back in Humjibre and hanging out with some of the GHEI family, I certainly was.

Emily & Ernest

With ten years past, what struck me is not only how GHEI is flourishing as an organization, with a multitude of programs that we did not have when we started, and local and international staff that are incredibly dedicated and professional, but moreso, how past GHEI friends and participants have now become leaders in the community. I saw Ernest, now a full time teacher with GHEI, who when we first arrived, would come to our house all the time (which doubled as the first office) to read, talk and hang out. He has become an incredibly disciplined, well rounded, and might I say, fashionable young man who is now contributing greatly to the community, his family, and our work. Then there are those who have been the steadfast leaders who have been with us since the beginning- Clement, who continues to lead the work of GHEI and Sister Comfort, who hasn't missed a step in caring for GHEI international staff as though they are true Humjibrians- born and bred.

Emily & Sister Comfort

And maybe most inspiring was to see and hear about past GHEI students who are now teaching with GHEI and giving back to their community. Some of them are even aspiring to go abroad to study, to further their educations and broaden their experiences. Their path forward is only a reminder of how important the work GHEI is doing to encourage, strengthen and uplift those who just need a little boost to reach their goals and meet their incredible potential.

Clement, Emily, Mensah & Aggie

I look forward to coming back again (hopefully without letting 8 years pass by again) witness what other great things Humjibreans will do. But perhaps much sooner, Humjibreans will come visit us, the GHEI family, spread out around the US, Europe, Australia, Asia and Africa!

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