Grass Roots Initiative
About Us...
Grass Roots Initiative is a not-for-profit organisation that has no political or religious affiliations. We are dedicated to providing sustainable community development in the area of Yahoma, Ghana. With a large focus on empowerment and education, we believe in working together towards social and environmental outcomes.
Grassroots Initiative was founded by Australian born Gabrielle Lopa and her husband Ghanaian born Manadi Angel Lopa who have a passion to improve the lives of Ghanaians living in difficult conditions. Together they aim to develop projects for Ghanaians in the remote area of Yahoma that are sustainable and community driven.
Grassroots Initiative was founded by Australian born Gabrielle Lopa and her husband Ghanaian born Manadi Angel Lopa who have a passion to improve the lives of Ghanaians living in difficult conditions. Together they aim to develop projects for Ghanaians in the remote area of Yahoma that are sustainable and community driven.
"Ghana is my second home and it is the home of my husband and my two youngest children. We also have a dearly loved extended family in Ghana. I love the country, the culture, the food, the people, the music. It is the most wonderful place I have ever visited and travelling there changed my life for the better. Ghana is a very rich country in many ways, but it also suffers from poverty, poor sanitation and sadly, corruption. There are many affluent areas in Ghana and much beauty to see but the sad reality is that the majority of its people live below a standard of living that we would expect for ourselves and our families."
What we do...
Since 2016, we have worked alongside family members living in Yahoma to develop projects they and the community has identified as important and to assist them to make these projects come to fruition.
Our approach is based on close collaboration with the family and the community. We apply a simple, and appropriate communication and teaching style to develop projects that the community identifies, so that they can maintain and continue their projects. We aim to support, guide and cooperate with people living in difficult conditions with a hand up - not a hand out.
Where needed, we provide training, infrastructure and finances to progress their development ideas and put them into action.
Our approach is based on close collaboration with the family and the community. We apply a simple, and appropriate communication and teaching style to develop projects that the community identifies, so that they can maintain and continue their projects. We aim to support, guide and cooperate with people living in difficult conditions with a hand up - not a hand out.
Where needed, we provide training, infrastructure and finances to progress their development ideas and put them into action.
Get to know us a little...
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GABRIELLE LOPA
Gabi first travelled to Ghana in 2005 as part of a drum and dance tour Rhythm Power. There, she instantly fell in love with the country, the culture, the food, the music and its people. Gabi has since travelled back to Ghana twice, to soak in the beauty of the country, visit family and friends and learn more about it’s music and the culture. Gabi has always been passionate to find ways to assist those in need, without degradation or judgement but by empowerment. |
MANADi ANGEL LOPA
Born in Ghana, raised in Nigeria and lived in Ghana. Manadi's background is music. As a child Manadi experienced "many tribulations and suffering". Having run away from home at the age of 15 to follow his dream of being a musician, Angel faced many barriers and hardships. He carried with him many traumatic experiences of being homeless, hungry and without money. He is a strong believer in the goodness of charity and strives to improve the lives of his family and the surrounding community, to make a difference in their lives. |
