What’s MeReJeD?
Why MeReJeD?
What language is it?
MeReJeD was the previous name for HopE Ghana. Every time I talk to anyone or read an email about MeReJeD, I’m asked a lot of questions like these. My guess is that you are wondering too.
MeReJeD is not a Swahili, Hausa, or Greek word. It’s a combination of the initials of the members of a wonderfully generous family who made our project happen: The Evers family of Mahopac, NY. Martin (Me), Riley (Re), Jodi (Je) and Devin (D). Dr. Martin, and his wife Jodi are the parents of two adorable, loving daughters: Riley, 8 and Devin, 6. The “e” after Devin was dropped as a matter of preference.
In December 2011, I arrived in America and was assigned to St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Katonah, NY. Two months later, I met Dr. Martin. Dr. Martin walked into the parish office and asked to see a priest. I was called to meet with him. I didn’t think much about our session, and I didn’t even take a mental picture of him. I now believe our meeting was meant to happen since I was not on duty that day.
Three or four months later, Dr. Martin called the parish secretary. He wanted to make a donation to a charity of my choice. I remember I had attended to many people like him, but I could not remember his face. After a series of email exchanges, we agreed to sponsor the education of four students in my former high school in Ghana—Notre Dame Girls. I was the chaplain and a teacher there for almost seven years.
When we learned that one of the dedicated teachers at Notre Dame Girls, Felix Dasmani passed away rather unexpectedly, and his family was destined to become homeless, we decided to build a home for his uneducated and unemployed widow and their five children with the remaining funds. We built a three-bedroom house with a hall and all the necessary accessories.
HopE Ghana is an official 501(c)3 nonprofit organization registered in New York State. Going forward, our primary focus is to ensure that needy, underprivileged girls and boys, get the education they need to achieve their dreams by providing tuition, educational materials, room and board, and other fees required to attend high school and/or college. This is our mission and this is our purpose for operating the HopE Ghana.
We all need support—financial, emotional, and spiritual to achieve our dreams. HopE Ghana believes that there’s nothing comparable or more beautiful than hearing the words, “I can smile because of you.” Why not join us and put smiles on the faces of many boys and girls who stand no chance of making it through high school or college without people like the Evers and you?