History of Village of Dompoase Education Project

How VODEP Got Started

Nana Adjei and Nana Joanna

In 2007, during a trip to Ghana to celebrate Ghana’s 50th Independence Jubilee, the Royal House of Dompoase invited Agyeman and me (Joanna) Danquah to meet the Chief of Dompoase, Nana Amoako Adjei, in his home. During this meeting, I discussed my interest to help the children of his village with their education and also to build a library, with books available for all ages. A few days later, the Chief of Dompoase assembled the village Head Council, the Elders, the Linguist, the Headmistress (Principal), teachers, and local VIPs to meet us at the Palace. The Chief invited me to become the Progress/Development Queen (Nkosuohemaa) of Dompoase and be a part of their royal family.

As an American-born citizen, I accepted this honor bestowed upon me with excitement and appreciation. The Ashanti royal title of Nana was given to me with the agreement, applause, and congratulations from everyone assembled at the Palace. I am now known as Nana Joanna Giboney Danquah, Nkosuohemaa of Dompoase.

Non-Profit Organization

After our return to the U.S., we established a non-profit organization (NPO) in California. Village of Dompoase Education Project (VODEP) was officially considered a corporation on September 17, 2007. February, 2008, the application for 501(c)(3) tax exempt status for charitable organizations was approved. This will enable financial donors to take a charitable tax deduction for the amount of the donation. Donations of children^s books and clothing can also be deducted.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

"It is my wish that the voice of the storyteller will never die in Africa, that all children in the world may experience the wonder of books, and that they will never lose the capacity to enlarge their earthly dwelling place with the magic of stories." - Nelson Mandela