Group photo with kids, staff and volunteers on their last day in Ghana.
UC Berkeley Social Sciences Budget Director Zahra Rezapour embarked on a humanitarian mission to Ghana in January as part of a group with Volunteers for International Medical Aid (VIMA), an organization dedicated to supporting orphaned children and underserved communities. This life-changing journey to help orphaned children offered her a firsthand view of the harsh realities of extreme poverty, the resilience of children enduring challenging circumstances, and the profound impact of education and healthcare initiatives.
From residing and working in an orphanage near the city of Ho and distributing school supplies, to observing the opening of a new water well and operating a health clinic for local villagers, each experience highlighted for Rezapour the urgent need for global outreach and support. Her story goes well beyond the act of giving aid. It shows the importance of building connections, understanding diverse ways of life, and, in Rezapour's case, even the potential for opening the door to adoption.
Berkeley Social Sciences spoke with Rezapour about her trip to Ghana and the profound impact it had on her. This interview has been edited for clarity.
Why did you decide to go to Ghana?
Zahra Rezapour: My good friend Brian Asher, another volunteer, invited me to join him and his friends on a humanitarian effort in Ghana for VIMA for 10 days in January. Previously, I had met a gentleman named Francis Agbemafle, who is VIMA's director. He came to the U.S. from an orphanage in the Volta region in Ghana and now lives in Bakersfield with his family, working as a nurse for the State of California.
What orphanage did you visit, and where was it located?
Zahra Rezapour: The orphanage is operated by VIMA and is located in a remote village about 20 miles from the city of Ho. The city of Ho is approximately a 4-hour drive from Accra, Ghana's capital.
What were your first impressions of Ghana and the orphanage?
Zahra Rezapour: I immediately observed intense, devastating poverty as soon as our vehicle left the airport in Accra. The two-lane (mostly) dirt road was in terrible condition, and both sides of the road were lined for miles and miles with makeshift shacks, containing people trying to sell bananas, mangoes and used items. The temperature was over 95 degrees and humid. The heat was stifling. Women walked on the side of the road carrying large, heavy tubs of bottled water or other goods for sale.
After the long drive to Ho, the vehicle turned onto a private dirt road, passing through a village until we entered the VIMA compound. Upon arrival, we were treated like dignitaries by the orphans, who performed a traditional welcome dance, singing and playing drums as we arrived. They were extremely happy to meet us, smiling and surrounding us with group embraces. There were about 40 children ranging between two and 18 years old.
What were the children's lives like?
Zahra Rezapour: After a couple of hours of settling into our quarters, a staff member named Chis gave us a tour of the orphanage, showing us how the children live. There were two separate big rooms, one for the boys and one for the girls. There were not enough beds for the children, so many of them slept on thin plastic mats on the floor. There is no operating shower. The children get water and heat it on an open fire, and shower with buckets in a designated area near their room. Their toilets go straight into the ground, and they use a big bucket of water to flush their waste down into the ground. From a young age, the kids wash their clothes in a bucket, hanging them outside to dry. Each child's entire belongings are contained in one small shopping bag. Their diet consists primarily of rice and yams with a very, very small amount of protein daily.
During weekdays, the children wake up, dress themselves, walk to a small kitchen, eat whatever the chef prepares for breakfast, and walk to a school located next to their home. Elementary, middle school and high school are not free. The government charges every student a fee that is paid by VIMA. Some of the children in the village do not attend school because they don't have enough money to pay the tuition.
The school consists of a few small classrooms with no doors or glass on the windows. There is no air conditioning. There is no electricity or lighting in the classrooms. Usually, two or three kids are crammed together in a single, ramshackle wooden desk. Brian and I delivered over 200 pounds with school supplies, athletic equipment, shoes and clothes. The other two volunteers also brought over 200 pounds of school supplies, shoes, reading glasses, clothes, hearing aids, etc.
On a trip to the city, we witnessed a large number of children walking many miles in extreme temperatures carrying a backpack and two buckets of water to sustain them throughout the day. Despite the adversity they endure, the children are genuinely happy, always wearing big smiles on their faces, and greeting us with big hugs.
But these children, in my opinion, are robbed of their childhoods, devoid of a parent's love and affection. They have to learn how to become self-sustaining at a very young age, getting help and guidance primarily from the older children in the group. Many of the children will never escape their impoverished conditions. A few lucky ones, with the help of financial sponsors like me, can attend universities in Accra to build a better life for themselves.
What did you do while in Ghana?
Zahra Rezapour: In two different remote villages, we were introduced to chieftains and elders. Both villages are financially supported by VIMA. At one of them, we observed a ceremonial opening of a new water well that VIMA drilled last year. During that visit, we learned that the villagers have no toilet facilities, and everybody relieves themselves outside on the ground, with no privacy. My friend and I agreed to provide the financial resources to build eight toilets for a village of more than 60 people.
We visited two schools where we handed out school supplies to the students. The children learn and study in English. We were able to give motivational talks to encourage them to never give up on their education and future. We also had the opportunity to meet seven children from the orphanage who are attending local universities. They are an inspiring group.
One day was dedicated to public health. We helped one of our volunteers, an American doctor, provide the villagers with screenings for high blood pressure, diabetes and HIV. We also distributed reading glasses to the elder villages that we brought with us to Ghana.
Can you talk about the child you decided to adopt and what led to that decision?
Zahra Rezapour: The day I arrived at the orphanage, I was overwhelmed with sadness, observing how innocent children live. During the welcoming presentation, I noticed a 17-year-old named Divine standing in the middle of the group of children who were performing. He wasn't smiling, it seemed like he was mentally somewhere else. I watched him the entire time. I felt a connection to him and wanted to give him the opportunity for a better life in the U.S.
After consulting with the VIMA director, I decided to sit down with Divine and ask him if he would like to come to America, to live with me as my second son. I was nervous, not knowing what his response would be. When he said yes immediately, I cried and thanked him for allowing me to be part of his life. I am a single mother, and I asked my son how he would feel about having a brother. Thankfully he was open to the idea.
I am currently consulting with an immigration and international adoption attorney to determine the best path to bring Divine to the U.S. I hope and pray he will be able to come this summer, and one day become a Cal Bear, or follow in his big brother Yahya's footsteps and become part of the Trojan family at USC.
How did this experience in Ghana change your life?
Zahra Rezapour: It was a humbling, eye-opening experience. I cried a lot, watching how people live in an unimaginable environment. I'm grateful to have met lots of kind, sweet and lovely kids. I've come to understand that I have no real problems in life. I've also gained a greater appreciation for what appears to be simple pleasures we take for granted such as running water and a hot shower. Because in Ghana, I also showered with buckets of cold water.
It changed my life forever.
If you are interested in donating to VIMA, visit their website here.
