ACCRA—Andrew’s father was taken by surprise when his 11-year-old son started asking questions about an evening news report on the situation in the Horn of Africa. 

“He was very alarmed by the images of hungry mothers and children and he asked me, ‘what’s wrong with those people? Are they sick?’” He explained to Andrew that they were not sick. They were simply hungry and needed to eat. 

Andrew was appalled. Living in Accra, he was no stranger to poverty and need. But the idea of so many people going hungry left him determined to help.

First efforts

Andrew’s first attempt was to enter a karate tournament and use the winnings to buy food to send to Somalia. Despite a valiant showing, he came in fifth, which won him a trophy but no cash prize. Then he entered a talent show to perform a song and dance routine, but again fell just short of the mark.

Undeterred, Andrew decided to spend the rest of his summer break campaigning for children in the Horn of Africa and reached out to WFP’s office in Accra to ask for advice. He met with WFP Country Director Ismail Omer who was delighted by his enthusiasm. “He is a remarkable young boy and a born leader,” Omer said.

During his visit, Andrew learned some fundraising basics, like why it’s better to donate cash than cans of food. “It’s very expensive to send food from Ghana to Somalia. It’s better to raise cash so that you can buy food nearer to Somalia in countries like Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti,” he explained.

National attention

After a few weeks of door-to-door campaigning, Andrew’s “Save Somali Children from Hunger” initiative raised more than about US $500, or enough to feed 66 children in the Horn of Africa for one month. That’s no mean feat in a country where most people live on about US $7.00 per day. 

His determination attracted national attention as Andrew was invited onto radio and television shows to explain why he was dedicating his summer holiday to help children on the other side of the continent.  

“The hunger they are facing in the Horn of Africa is very serious,” he says. “There are mothers with no food to feed their children while here we are eating hamburgers. We’ve got to help them.”

Interviewed by the BBC in early August, Andrew added that his initial donation was just the beginning and that he eventually hopes to raise as much as US $13 million, both from individuals and Ghanaian businesses.

“I will continue informing the public about what is happening in countries like Somalia so that they can help me to raise the money,” he said.