This document summarizes an ongoing project between Bentley University students and the Mmofra Trom Center in Ghana to support vulnerable children's education. The project began in 2007 and involves 25 members committing over 15 hours per week. It impacts 16 children through making and selling bracelets, with profits funding their high school and college tuition. The children work hard and aspire to help their community. The project has retained $24,000 so far and plans to expand support to more children through university partnerships and fundraising.

1. On-going project since 2007; 15+ hours/week committed; 25 members; 16 vulnerable children impacted

2. The Mmofra Trom Center
• Prestigious elementary school near Somaya, Ghana.
• Began as an orphanage for children whose parents died
of AIDs
• Today is a financially sustainable school that attracts
tuition paying children from throughout the country
• Still keeps to its mission of supporting children that do
not have parents to take care of them through tuition
subsidies for 16 vulnerable children

3. The Children
• These children are the happiest, most grateful, hardworking
children in the world.
• They were born into unfortunate situations but have been
given the opportunity to live, be emotionally supported and
educated through the Mmofra Trom Center.
• They take their studies seriously and have aspirations of being
doctors, entrepreneurs and firefighters.
• They have ambitions to elevate living standards in Ghana and
make a difference in their community and the world.

4. The Dilemma
• The children are able to attend the Mmofra Trom Center until 9th
grade.
• After 9th grade, since these children do not have the money to attend
high school, they would be forced to begin to work at this young age.
• These children have the fundamental knowledge to pursue a career
that will enhance their lives and bring change to the country but do
not have the financial means to continue their education.
• If these children were forced to work after graduating 9th grade, they
might not ever reach their full potential

5. The Solution
• Students at Bentley University developed a plan to
provide these children with funding to obtain a higher
education
• After spending time in Ghana and assisting the children
with their arts and crafts and activities, they realized
that these children made beautiful bracelets in their
spare time that could be sold in the United States
• 100% of the profits from this enterprise supports the
children’s future education costs

6. Project Today
• The 16 vulnerable children at the Mmofra Trom Center string bracelets
every other Saturday for a couple of hours
• The beads are bought from a women-owned-and-run company that makes
vibrant recycled glass beads
• After the bracelets are made, they are shipped to the United States where
the Bentley University students sell them on our website, through
vendors, and through event sales
• Today the project has retained $24,000 in profits that will be used to pay
for high school tuition for the children upon graduation

7. Plan for Expansion
• The project is still working to reach its goal to send the
children to high school (Data table Below)
• After we reach this goal, we will work to raise enough
money to send them to college
• Upon having enough funding for these children to have a
complete education, we will expand the project to send
more children to school

8. Current Endeavors of MTBP
• Attend the Ashoka U conference in February to teach other
students how to create and run a social enterprise
• Spread project to other universities to use to help other
vulnerable children
• Created a fundraiser system where organizations could
purchase MTBP bracelets for $5.00 and sell them for the
full price of $10.00
– They will use the profit they create to support the non-profit of
their choice

9. Background on Bentley Students
• The students volunteer their time to help run this
business.
• We have no paid employees.
• Operations are continued through months that school
is not in session through non-paid internships.
• Students meet once a week to discuss progress and
assign tasks to be completed before next week
• Students have a goal of visiting the Mmofra Trom
Center before graduation

10. Quote from Director of the Mmofra Trom Center
• “I don't put much stock in promises. People make promises very lightly. I put
stock in action. What people do, not what people say they will do. Bentley has
given us action, not words. Your students have expressed interest in helping the
children build a bead business. They have taken certain actions over the last two
years. They have carefully built up a way to market the products our children
can produce. We can be in charge of our future. And the children, this is the
work they must do to build the bead business. There is so, so much dignity in
work. So much dignity in hard work. The children are working very very hard as
students in school, but they also know very very well that they can work on
Saturdays, too, for their future. They cheer each time I tell them the amount of
cedis in their school account. It is a fantastic figure. We thank God each day for
Bentley students. Sarah and I don't have to worry worry worry about how we
will send all these children to high school. We know very well you are working
for the children, too. We sleep well. To all of Bentley, we say thank you thank
you thank you.”

11. C:F Contributors
Laura Garlo -- Alissa Palatiello– Jenna Cavicchia Bentley University, U.S.A