aBan’s Story – by founder Callie Brauel
There was no instance in particular at least that I can recall that “initiated” this project. It was more like a buildup of frustrations of working with these kids everyday and not being able to do anything about their situation. I mean, I went into the nonprofit with the grand idea that I would be able to give them a basic education in the Math and English and that this would somehow change them. These efforts proved fruitless, as most kids were concerned with basic survival. And, I began to realize that even if they learned some of the basics, this wouldn’t ever feed them into the school system. Most of the kids had never entered a classroom and had no intention of ever doing so.
The whole volunteer experience was defeating. As I built relationships with these children, my eyes were opened to the horrors they faced on the streets. Boys would tell be about waking up being beaten by other street kids (or police- but don’t mention that). Girls would tell be about being raped. It was awful. I was sickened every night leaving the nonprofits knowing what the kids were going to encounter.
One day, I followed one of the social workers into the city to talk with street kids. As we were talking with the gangs of boys on the streets, one of the younger ones particularly latched on to me. He decided to follow us back to the nonprofit and once there he lost his tough boy demeanor and turned back into a kid again as he partook in some of the games. At the end of the day, he followed me by sneaking onto the public transportation. He ended up taking me into the inner city where I bought him some dinner. Over dinner, I asked him if he would come back to the nonprofit tomorrow since he had such a good time. He said no, because if he did he wouldn’t be able to beg which meant he wouldn’t be able to eat. Here we were conversing over a huge plate of local food that cost 30 cents, and he was telling me that he usually had to work all day to be certain there would be food in his stomach. I think it was at this point that I really realized that it wouldn’t take much for these kids to be able to stop worrying about meeting their basic needs and start being kids again.
Concurrently, I was developing a mock nonprofit in my NGO management class with a group of local students- Emmanuel was one of them. We were all disturbed by the amount of plastic wastes littering the streets and even the campus and decided it would be cool to fashion an NGO out of making recycled products and raising environmental awareness across campus. I took this idea and presented it to the nonprofits. They were very hesitant at first, thinking that I was crazy trying to sell their trash. I didn’t give up and probably presented the idea everyday for 20 days before they gave in and let me try it.
aBan’s products made from waste on Ghana’s streets
Becca and I started by selling the bags on the University of Ghana’s campus (30,000 students). We would present in front of classrooms and started setting up recycling bins all over the campus. Environmental awareness was a new idea on campus and while many thought the idea of products from their waste was bizarre, they understood and latched onto the idea of beautifying their campus and city. Justice Bawole, the NGO management professor, really supported us and the idea. We all spoke twice on a national radio show about our project and environmental and poverty awareness in general. He explained that this was many Ghanaian’s first exposure to thinking about the importance of respecting their environment. Justice also explained to us that our project has inspired many of his other students to take action. He said that most students at the University come from privileged backgrounds, but too often don’t use that privilege to help the less fortunate in their country.
one of aBan’s new products, an umbrella made from discarded plastic water bags
On a more direct basis, we have been working with 8 street children over the past year so that they have been able to have a sustainable income- enough for food and shelter every day. In the process they have been able to learn a marketable trade and become expert seamstresses. Two of the girls have started their own seamstress businesses and are helping other street girls learn how to sew. Additionally, we have been supporting two nonprofits with their programs, which open their doors to kids who want to learn basic elementary education.
Going back, we will set up our own program and shelter and implement a business curriculum program so that we can graduate more children out of our program and initiate careers for them that are self-sustaining.
We are trying to develop a model that can be replicated in any country with street children and excess wastes, so that we can expand and help start new lives for street children across the world…
Also, we are having an impact on children in the US. The school fundraiser program includes a documentary about street children in Ghana and how US children would be helping them, classroom specific curriculum, and a presentation by the aBAN team if desired. Essentially, we have created a “kids helping kids” model. In the process of the fundraiser, the US students are broadening their world perspective and helping a nonprofit to keep children off the streets. Students are really moved to take action when they see the plights of others their same age or younger. Additionally there is also the ability to help a US cause in the process by steering a portion of proceeds to wherever it is needed (school fundraiser).
aBan founder Callie Brauel speaking with Jill a generous donor
