Our story
“From Little Acorns Great Oaks Grow”
Hakulala was conceived born in December 2008 when Hawa, Krupa and Lala met on a volunteer programme through an organisation called Original Volunteers in Ghana. Their humble idea of repairing a derelict fisherman’s hut has transmuted into a UK based educational charity called TEACH - Time to Educate Africa's CHildren - which is now taking root in Ghana and also spreading its roots to other African countries.
'Raised on Gandhian principles, it became my natural tendency to care for those less privileged. However, after my first trip to Africa in 2008, aged 17, I soon realised those lively, soulful spirits I worked with shouldn't be classified as underprivileged at all, as they hold unique qualities our Western society lacks. Instead they should be seen as under educated as education is a tool that holds the power to improve and potentially remove most of the fundamental problems Africa faces. I went out to give, but came back with far more in terms of an education in the highest moral and human values. What began with merely the search for a new experience, soon changed to be the path I'll be dedicating the rest of my life towards.'
Krupa Patel
Chanchala Unantenne
'When I visited Ghana to volunteer my vision of lending a helping hand was not realistic. I had created an image based on media and was surprised to witness a different story. I took 60kg of gifts, toys, clothes and books then realised that I was adding fuel to the fire and the strongest and effective lending hand you can give them are not gifts but education'
Hawwa Shillingford
'I always dreamt of going to Africa to ‘make a difference’, ever since I was very young. I think that my view was a little romantic in that I thought I would be able to unlock the doors hiding the reasons for Africa’s dilemmas in one trip and help to change it all. Looking around the villages surrounding the Lake Volta, I realized that the only way true success could be achieved was by taking on a lifelong commitment and asking others to join me.
With poverty slowly becoming almost completely ‘Africanized’, I think it’s time to put our feet down on exploitation. The best way to do this is by giving African people a voice, through empowerment, through education.
At the moment, I’m juggling medical school and T.E.A.CH. I will be returning to Ghana in the summer of 2010. Can’t wait!'
