At Fafali Organization, we believe that every child, regardless of their background, deserves the opportunity to dream big and experience the world beyond their immediate environment. This belief was the driving force behind our efforts to send a delegation of young people from Ghana to France for the Festival 24, an inter-cultural sports event organized by Sports Dans La Ville, alongside the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The opportunity to participate in such a prestigious event was monumental for our children, but the road to making it happen was anything but easy. The reality is that we were the organization that received a late invite to this event. With a rigorous fundraising goal ahead of us, we knew the journey would require dedication, perseverance, and the undying support of our community.

The Struggle to Raise Funds

Securing funds for this trip was a challenging endeavor. We had to raise $12,000, a significant amount to cover airfares and other expenses for the seven delegates, as accommodation and feeding had already been catered for by the organizers. Despite the odds, we were determined to give these children a chance to be part of something truly historic—the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the first time the event would be held in Paris in 100 years.

We reached out to individuals, businesses, and organizations for support. We launched online fundraising campaigns, organized community outreaches, and appealed to social media influencers to help spread the word. Each donation, no matter the amount, brought us one step closer to our goal. The journey was filled with anxiety and moments of doubt, but the unwavering belief in our cause kept us moving forward.

The Delegation

Our delegation initially comprised eight members, including six young participants and two adult leaders. However, as we approached the final stages of preparation, we faced an unexpected challenge: one of our young delegates was denied a visa. This was a heartbreaking moment for the delegate and the entire team. The disappointment was palpable, but we rallied together to support the young participant and ensure that the remaining seven delegates could still embark on this life-changing journey. Their perseverance and resilience in the face of such setbacks exemplified the spirit of our organization.

Pascal Haag: A Key Supporter and Advocate

The success of this trip would not have been possible without the invaluable support of Pascal Haag. Randy Amezado, one of the delegates and the leader of the delegation, was the visionary behind this opportunity. He saw the immense potential of this trip to impact the thousands of children in the Anumle and Kpoviadzi Electoral Areas of Ghana. Recognizing the need for substantial support, Randy reached out to Pascal Haag with a compelling PowerPoint presentation, illustrating what this trip could mean for the children we serve.

Pascal was deeply moved by the vision and the potential impact. He immediately bought into the idea and took it upon himself to help make this dream a reality. Pascal created a GoFundMe page, which became instrumental in raising the necessary funds for visa application fees and continued to support the entire journey. His dedication and belief in the cause inspired others to contribute, and his efforts were crucial in ensuring that the delegation could embark on this transformative experience.

The Community’s Role

The response from our community was overwhelming. Donations came in from local businesses, international supporters, and even from young individuals who were moved by our cause. One such inspiring donation came from a young girl in our community who contributed $100—an extraordinary gesture that highlighted the impact of collective effort.

As the departure date approached, we were still short of our fundraising target, but the determination of our team and the generosity of our supporters helped us close the gap. On the day of departure, we knew that our community had made this dream a reality for these young delegates.

The struggle to raise funds was a testament to the power of community and the belief in creating opportunities for the underserved. The journey was tough, but the reward was immeasurable. Our young delegates now have memories and experiences that will shape their futures and the futures of those around them.

This experience has reaffirmed our commitment to empowering children and providing them with platforms to explore, grow, and thrive. We are deeply grateful to everyone who supported this cause, and we look forward to sharing more stories of the impact your contributions have made.

Thank you for reading!