Monday, September 22, 2025

Fall 2025 Update

Hello friends of the Charlottesville-Winneba Foundation!  We wanted to give a quick update on recent news and events regarding the vibrant Charlottesville-Winneba Sister City partnership.

*  Upcoming Sister City Delegations to Winneba

Two groups of Charlottesville residents will be heading to Winneba in the coming months, one at the end of December 2025 (in conjunction with Winneba's Kakamotobi, or Fancy Dress, Festival) and one in early May 2026 (in conjunction with the world-renowned Aboakyer Festival).  The Charlottesville-Winneba Foundation is always happy to introduce (or re-introduce) Charlottesvillians to their Sister City!  Almost 300 local residents have made the life-changing journey since 2009.  If you'd like to participate in either of these delegations, please contact cvillewinneba@gmail.com.  The travel fee is $3,000 and includes airfare, lodging, meals, travel visa, travel health insurance, ground transportation, and admission to cultural and historic sites.  

Tracey Howard-Gough is already starting to lay the groundwork for our December 2026 trip, on which we hope to include a number of Charlottesville youth along with mentors from the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.  Stay tuned for more info!

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*  Albemarle Rotary Club Grant

We're pleased to report that the Albemarle County Rotary Club has just approved a $1,500 grant for repairs of the storm-damaged Osubonpanyin/Ateitu M/A School in Winneba -- a project that Paramount Chief Neenyi Ghartey VII personally brought to our attention.  These funds will allow work to begin soon on replacement of the school's damaged windows and doors and repair of the school's roof.  Currently, the school has to close down whenever it rains.      
   
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This is the second grant that the Albemarle County Rotary Club has made for school upgrades in Winneba.  In 2022, the Club awarded a $1,400 grant toward the construction of a library and IT center at Coast Bridge Academy in Winneba.  Many thanks to the Albemarle Rotarians for their continued support!


*  Coast Bridge Expansion

Speaking of Coast Bridge Academy, several Charlottesville residents have made generous donations over the last several months toward the construction of a dining hall, a renovated classroom building and expanded library/IT space at the school, which serves the impoverished Akosua Village.  The 100+ children who attend Coast Bridge are excited at all of the new school infrastructure!  Many thanks to Rupa Valdez and to Rajan and Kashmira Sheth for making these vital school improvements possible.

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*  Maternal and Infant Health

The Charlottesville-Winneba Foundation is excited to be working in partnership with PROSAMI to improve maternal and infant health in Winneba.  The Staunton-based PROSAMI, which began operations in 2009 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, recently expanded to serve the Municipal Hospital of Winneba.  PROSAMI has already donated a significant volume of medical supplies to Winneba and is looking to offer midwife training and other supports.  Meanwhile, Gwen Goodkin, who participated in our May 2022 delegation to Winneba, continues to gather together medical equipment and supplies for the Municipal Hospital of Winneba and is hoping to make another shipment of donated materials in late 2025 or early 2026. 
 
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*  Support for Women Entrepreneurs

The Charlottesville-based Helen Project International, under the leadership of Founder and Executive Director Dr. Dale Johnson (who participated in our very first delegation to Winneba in 2009) and Project Manager Tina Yawson, continues to provide small loans to women in Winneba to start or grow their own businesses.  The program focuses on uplifting grandmothers who are raising orphaned children.  57 women have received loans to date and so far the program has a 100% repayment rate!  

Gaynell Spinner, a participant in the May 2024 Sister City delegation to Winneba, befriended a hair braider in Winneba named Hawa on her trip and subsequently provided financial support for Hawa to open her own hair salon.   "Understanding that she needed sustainable empowerment rather than temporary financial support," said Gaynell, "I took deliberate action. I am thankful for my obedience to God's vision, which has transformed her life. I hope Hawa's business will serve as a beacon in her community, illustrating the manifestation of answered prayers through Faith, hope and love."  We are thrilled for Hawa and wish her all the best.  Thanks Gaynell!

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*  Welcoming Winneba’s New Mayor

In August 2025, Charlottesville-Winneba Foundation President Nana Ghartey and Executive Director Dave Norris paid a courtesy call on Winneba's new Municipal Chief Executive (aka Mayor), Hon. Rev. Atta Mensah.  Nana and Dave congratulated Hon. Mensah on his appointment to the post and invited him to visit Charlottesville during his tenure.  The MCE said he is excited to build on the Charlottesville-Winneba connection over the coming years.

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*  Winneba Public Library Update

The Charlottesville-Winneba Foundation played a key role in establishing Winneba's first public library.  Over the last several years, the Member of Parliament from Winneba, Hon. Alex Afenyo-Markin, secured funds to build 18 satellite branches of the Winneba library all throughout the Effutu region.  Winneba's library system is now the pride and envy of Ghana!  Many Charlottesville residents have supported the Winneba libraries by sponsoring library cards for students, reading to kids, donating books, etc.  We're happy to encourage the love of reading in our Sister City.  

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*  Manuel's is Growing!

With loan financing from friends in Charlottesville, Emanuel Mishiwo, proprietor of Manuel's Guesthouse (where our Sister City delegations usually stay in Winneba), is expanding his guesthouse to include four new guest rooms, a new streetside shop, and a new reception area.  We look forward to enjoying the new & improved Manuel's on our next visit!

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*  Charlottesville Photographer on Exhibit in Winneba

Paul Stams, Charlottesville photo artist, visited Winneba as a member of our May 2023 delegation and used photographs from Winneba's fishing harbor to create a series of photo montages which have subsequently been featured in several Charlottesville art exhibits.  One of Paul's pieces is now on display at Manuel's Guesthouse in Winneba.  For more info on Paul's work, see https://paul-stams.pixels.com/.   

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This is just a taste of the many collaborations, activities and exchanges being undertaken by the all-volunteer Charlottesville-Winneba Foundation.  As always, we welcome any financial support that you'd be willing to provide to our efforts.  Donations can be made via check to "Charlottesville-Winneba Foundation," 1137 Locust Ave., Charlottesville, VA 22901 or online via www.paypal.me/cvillewinneba.  All contributions are tax-deductible.  Many thanks for your support!
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Tuesday, December 31, 2024

We're Heading Back to Ghana in 2025!

The Charlottesville-Winneba Foundation is bringing another group of Charlottesville-area residents to visit our Sister City of Winneba, Ghana in late April/early May of 2025!   Come do a deep dive into Ghanaian culture, history, etc. as we help our Winnebarian friends celebrate their biggest annual festival, Aboakyer.  

Travel dates will be April 28-May 9, 2025.  The travel fee, which includes airfare, lodging, all meals, travel health insurance, admission fees, ground transportation, etc., is $3,000.  To participate, or if you have any questions, please contact Dave Norris at cvilledave@gmail.com or (434) 242-5165.   

We plan to take 20 people on this trip, and slots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.  Payment is due by Feb 1, 2025.  For more info., click here.  Hope you can join us!



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Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Join Us for Another Exciting Trip to Ghana!

This coming Sunday, April 28, 19 travelers will depart Charlottesville for Winneba, Ghana on the 14th Sister City group delegation since our Charlottesville-Winneba Sister City partnership was founded in 2009.  We are excited to introduce a whole new group of visitors to our friends and hosts in our wonderful Sister City.

Even though our 14th delegation hasn't even left for Ghana yet, planning is already underway for the 15th delegation!  The next journey to Winneba is timed to coincide with the Kakamotobi (Fancy Dress Festival) in Winneba on & around New Year's Day, with approx. travel dates of Dec. 29, 2024-Jan. 8, 2025. 

If you or anyone you know may wish to participate, please view the Trip Info Sheet.  We are limiting the trip to approx. 15 travelers and spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis.  Tracey Howard-Gough, Michelle Feggans and Sabrina Feggans will be the organizing team for this trip.  

Please help spread the word!




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Monday, November 13, 2023

May 2024 Trip to Ghana

We are excited to announce that the Charlottesville-Winneba Foundation will be leading another group trip to Winneba, Ghana in May 2024, in conjunction with Winneba's largest annual festival.  Approximate travel dates are April 29-May 9, 2024.  

Group is limited to 25 travelers and spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.  For more info, including payment details, click here for the Trip Info. Sheet.

If you'd like to learn more about the trip before deciding to participate, we're holding a Trip Info Session (by Zoom) on Monday, November 13 at 7pm.  The link to participate is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88471672823 and the password is djNBK0VaRllWWEhSbGNJU1VIWWlRdz09 .  The Info Session will be recorded if you can't attend but would still like to view it. 

Hope some of you will be able to join us in May.  Please help spread the word!



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Wednesday, February 1, 2023

May 2023 Trip to Ghana

The Charlottesville-Winneba Foundation is pleased to announce that we're going back to Ghana!  Approx. travel dates are May 1-11, 2023.  This will be the 11th Charlottesville delegation to visit our Sister City of Winneba since 2009 and we look forward to the journey.  

For an Info Sheet about the trip, see https://docs.google.com/file/d/14a9zpbOFdzbXzWj4LHCuPjO1EvlJ6OXu/edit?usp=docslist_api&filetype=msword.  Please feel free to share this Info Sheet with anyone you know who might be interested in traveling with us.  Next Wednesday, Feb. 8, from 7-8pm, we'll have an Info Session (via Zoom) to share more information about the trip and answer questions that any prospective travelers might have.  The Zoom link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88522037647.  This Info Session is optional and will be recorded in case you aren't able to join us live.

We are capping the number of participants in this delegation to 25 people.  Spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.  Deadline for paying the travel fee ($2,500) is March 6.  See the linked Info Sheet for more details on payment.  As always, you do not have to be a resident of the City of Charlottesville to participate.

Any questions?  Please feel free to contact Dave Norris at cvilledave@gmail.com or (434) 242-5165.

Thanks!

Dave Norris and Richard Morris, Trip Co-Organizers






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Friday, February 4, 2022

Charlottesville Heads Back to Ghana!

The Charlottesville-Winneba Foundation is pleased to announce that we are organizing another group trip to Charlottesville's Sister City of Winneba, Ghana!  Travel dates are May 4-13, 2022 and the cost is $2,200 per person, which covers airfare, lodging, meals, ground transportation, travel visa, travel health insurance, admission fees, and more.  Payment is due March 1.  If you, or anyone you know, might be interested in joining us for this trip, see this Trip Info Sheet for more information:   https://docs.google.com/document/d/12DpYKlGg-uOsxAEoEHmDTHL0QD0lEW82/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=115609929013058682052&rtpof=true&sd=true 

You are also welcome to join us for a Trip Info. Session (via Zoom) on Tuesday, Feb. 8 at 7pm, which will feature a lot more information about the trip, including COVID-related travel requirements and precautions. The link to participate in the Info Session is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87331451586. 

If you have any questions about the trip in the meantime, please don't hesitate to contact Dave Norris at (434) 242-5165 or cvilledave@gmail.com.




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Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Welcome to the Work of the Charlottesville-Winneba Foundation!


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