February 2, 2021
PAWC MEMBER HAS DEDICATED HERSELF TO IMPROVING DIRE LIVING CONDITIONS IN FAR OFF AFRICA.
The Palm Aire Women’s Club consists of Phenomenal Active Women Who Care about their Community. Debi Frock, the Ways and Means chair, is one such caring, phenomenal woman.
Debi is not content to limiting herself to helping the community. At the last Mix and Mingle, Debi revealed that she founded Ghanaian Mothers’ Hope. This nonprofit foundation builds preschools, playgrounds and health posts in Ghana, West Africa. Through Ghanaian Mother’s Hope, Debi works to improve the lives of many Ghanaians in critical areas of education, health care and hygiene.
When she first came to Akramaman, Ghana in 2005 children wandered around aimlessly. Only a handful went to school, mostly boys. There was no electricity, no clinic, and for many, no hope. Debi put all her efforts into changing this situation. Now, electricity flows through many homes. The clinic serves 15,000 plus people in surrounding villages. The school system has over 500 children enrolled, a new computer lab and now, a high school is being built.
One of the worst problems she encountered was the lack of clean water. Villagers hiked to streams and brought back gallons of contaminated water several times a day. They boiled it for drinking but not for bathing or washing food, a major health issue.
Thanks to Redeemer Episcopal Church and Water with Blessings, another nonprofit, she spearheaded the Water Mama project. Women from 14 different communities attended. Each was given two buckets and a filter. One bucket for the dirty water to be filtered and one for the clean water. The filters provided 25 gallons of clean water every day, enabling them to share with their communities and provide clean water for the village.
With monetary help from the Community Foundation Giving Challenge funded by The Patterson Foundation, Debi also inspired a cultural exchange between second graders at Sarasota’s Alta Vista Elementary and their Ghanaian counterparts. As part of this program, the Sarasota students sent letters, books and school supplies to Ghana, and learned about life in Africa. Through the magic of skype, the Sarasota students also shared a Circus Arts Clown performance with Ghanaian students while the Ghanaians performed a special dance and drumming show in return. For more information about Ghanaian Mothers' Hope, check out their website www.gmhopes.org. Contact Debi debi.gmhope@gmail.com for speaking opportunities.
Be sure to attend the next mix and mingle. You never know who you will meet there.
With vaccines on the immediate horizon, the PAWC is hoping to resume in-person meetings and luncheons. They have been sorely missed. Vice President Mary Beth Rempp is working to reschedule events for the club. We will update you as soon as the revised calendar is finalized.
Since the usual PAWC fundraising activities did not occur, if possible, please send a donation to The Palm Aire Women’s Club, P.O Box 21051, Bradenton, FL 34204 or drop it off at the PAWC mailbox in the Palm Aire County Club Office. The help will be greatly appreciated. Remember all donations are tax deductible and 100% goes to the scholarships or charities themselves.
Do not miss the Mix and Mingles; fun is had by all. Stop by and catch up with all your friends. Meet members in a new way and learn about their fascinating lives. Check eblasts for date, time and log in information.
Be sure to check the PAWC website, www.palm-airewomensclub.org. for the latest news and updates. Contact Judi Bouchard to be included on the PAWC email list. Thanks to Kim Lege, the PAWC now also has a presence on Facebook. Club news and photos have been posted.
Remember, the PAWC membership is open year-round and is not limited to Palm Aire Country Club members. For membership, contact Susan Pulver. Dues are $40 yearly. With vaccines being developed, hopefully in person meetings can be resumed soon. In the meantime, stay safe and healthy in these crazy times!
Debi Frock with her Ghanaian students
Ghanaian students show off Sarasota clown noses during a skype with Alta Vista students.
Ghanaian women show off their new water filters.
Ghanaian woman marveling at her newly filtered water.