INTERVIEWER: Kukua Atta-Peters
“Unemployment continues to reach new heights everyday year in Ghana. There are so many graduates and not enough vacancies for them to fill. The problem is everyone wants to sit in an air conditioned office. Society will never progress if we all carry this mindset…“
Obedia Ana Nortey
Grub for Smiles is a Charitable Foundation that started in 12/12/2014 in Ghana. The name connotes one of the primary objectives of the charity group which is organizing food buffets and parties at orphanages or children’s homes. We aim to bring the same Christmas cheer and happiness we feel at home when celebrating with our families to the less privileged.
1- HR Revolution: Is this foundation targeted for a particular group of citizens?
Obedia Ana Nortey: Yes. The foundation is targeted specifically towards the homeless and the orphaned seeing as they are the most vulnerable in society. I believe we each owe a duty of care to the less privileged in society. As a nation with strong beliefs in a Supreme Being, be it God or Allah, whose main message is love and charity towards others, we should be able to carry this message across through our actions not mere words.
2- HR Revolution: Is there any economic strategy put in place to support the foundation? How is this strategy implemented to benefit the foundation?
Obedia Ana Nortey: Yes. The strategies we employ include marketing strategies and strategic management. Both involve a thorough consideration of our available and potential resources open to us as charity organization. We set financial goals for each project and prepare the means to reach our goals through donations, sponsorship and support. As such we rely heavily on convincing people mainly through social media to provide us the support we need.
3- HR Revolution: How do you support your foundation?
Obedia Ana Nortey: Through Donations – Sponsorship – Family and friends.
4- HR Revolution: What sparked the concern to create a platform for the less privileged in the society?
Obedia Ana Nortey: The decision to start a non-profit organization for the less privileged was a Spirit-led one. My mother and I were making plans for Christmas in 2014 and i asked myself what do the homeless and orphaned do for Christmas and how do they feel? So I spoke to a couple of close friends and we decided to pool funds together and organize a buffet and party at City of Refuge Orphanage in Shai Hills. We even threw in a couple of games and bouncy castles for the kids. The joy they expressed was priceless and since that year, we have been organizing these parties at orphanages. We see most street kids still hawking and struggling to make ends meet even during a festive season, doing what they have to do to survive. It’s the least we can do to help curb the anguish and hopelessness they might be feeling.
5- HR Revolution: As a student, how does your current major (course) in the university influence/affect the ‘THE GIRL PROJECT?
Obedia Ana Nortey: The Girl Project is a Grub for Smiles initiative which we are undertaking this 2017. Under the project, we hope to distribute sanitary and hygiene products and clothes to the head-porters in the markets of Accra. We are currently working on gathering the funds and sponsorship for this project and the project takes off in November. I’m currently studying for an LLB Degree at Central University in Ghana. I trust holding a law degree as an indication of my capability to do a generalist’s work. As a law student I have gained exceptional reading, writing, speaking and analytical skills which help me in my approach to companies or the public for donations and sponsorship for my organization. I also hold in depth knowledge of company law which guides decision making as a charity group. I also hope to specialize in international human rights law.
6- HR Revolution: How did you choose your team and what are the different departments in your team?
Obedia Ana Nortey: My pioneer team is made up of friends and family and the departments include PR and Marketing, Programme Management and the Field Staff. For every project, we extend invitations to the public for anyone who is willing to join and support us and the response is always amazing.
7- HR Revolution: What are your views on unemployment in Ghana?
Obedia Ana Nortey: Unemployment continues to reach new heights everyday year in Ghana. There are so many graduates and not enough vacancies for them to fill. The problem is everyone wants to sit in an air conditioned office. Society will never progress if we all carry this mindset. The entrepreneurial spirit must be awakened amongst the youth to reduce this burden. There must be special incentives put in place by the government to encourage the youth to enter into fields such as agriculture.
8- HR Revolution: What are your views on other charitable foundations in Ghana?
Obedia Ana Nortey: There are not enough charitable foundations in Ghana. The few that operate usually lose hope after at least 5 years in operation due to lack of resources and support. It’s quite sad. As a nation, we rely so much on international aid but we don’t support the local organizations doing their best to help the less privileged in our society.
9- HR Revolution: Where do you see ‘THE GIRL PROJECT’ in the next five years? (how will the project influence the society).
Obedia Ana Nortey: In the next five years, Grub for Smiles hopes to set up mini centers in Accra where the homeless can turn to for hygiene product supply and education. We hope to get more members in the medical field to support us in providing sanitary education in public schools for the Girl child.
THANK YOU
Social Media
Instagram: @grubforsmiles
www.grubforsmiles.web.com