Soul of Somanya is a small organization staffed entirely by volunteers. While much of our marketing is done
from Mobile, Alabama in the U.S., the real action takes place in
Somanya-Krobo in Ghana, West Africa, where, we are working hard to
develop sustainable employment opportunities in the field of bead work
for working-age orphans and other young people whose job prospects are
very limited by their lack of family support and/or limited levels of education.
Most of the Soul of Somanya Crew: Top right:Amueh Ebenezer. Back row left to right, Helen Sigler (assistant teacher on June 2008 trip), Rose Ablantie, Adey Eben, Krah Aaron, Melody MacDuffee. Front row left to right: Addo Linda, Ameho Eunice, Adamtey
Joyce, Padi Edith.
Much
of our success so far has been the result of a seat-of-the-pants
approach made real by an astounding level of grass roots support. On
July 31st,
2008, we incorporated as a non-profit organization in the state of Alabama. We are currently
seeking tax-exempt status so that our endlessly generous supporters
will be able to claim deductions on their gifts to us. Soul of Somanya Ghana incorporated on February 20th, 2009. Our application for status as a tax-exempt NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) is pending. In the meantime,
we are working hard on both sides of the ocean to become at least partially self-supporting through the sale of our jewelry and other beaded products.
The Rest of the Crew: Arkuh Bernard Tettey, Project Manager, and Bismark Ablantie, youngest member of the staff (and bead chaser extraordinaire).
