Lizzy Gilman, Ali Hansen, Alice Petty
Random Acts of Love and Kindness

Ali Hansen, Alice Petty, Lizzy Gilman

Lizzy Gilman became infatuated with the people of Africa as a little girl. She has read, studied, planned and dreamed of one day going to Africa to perform random acts of kindness. Now as a college junior, she decided that day had come. She was able to connect with people who could help. Some knew Africa and people in Ghana who could assist her; some were willing to make donations to "good causes" and trusted Lizzy and her friends to manage the distribution. She connected with Ali Hansen and Alice Petty who shared her interest and passion. Ali and Lizzy arrived first and found opportunities. Alice came before Ali returned, and Lizzy stayed the whole summer. Needs are abundant in Ghana, so they jumped into volunteer work on several fronts. While doing this, Lizzy, who sees this as her life's work, kept a focus on trying to learn the best ways for money and volunteers to contribute to sustainable improvements in the lives of real people here.

Ali and Lizzy eating Jollof Rice	Alice and Lizzy in Kenya with Masai people on their indirect route home

There was some relaxing at the beach...	...watching people and sand dancing.

But even then, the focus was on people like a peanut vendor...	...or a popcorn vendor and their quality of life.

They visited medical care facilities and saw people like this AIDS patient.	They took donated supplies to Dr. Kissi at his Deseret Hospital. Dr. Kissi is an Area Authority Seventy.

They met children...	...visited homes in villages.

Quality of life for women became an interest. These women sew for many hours each day and make very little.	Many women work at low skill jobs such as street vending to support their families.

They acquire fuel and food and prepare meals each day...	...all the time bearing and caring for children.

In visiting with Lizzy several times through the summer, we witnessed the wisdom and vision she was acquiring. Some poor people are as selfish as some rich people. People need the light of the gospel to lead them. What people have is not as important as how they use and manage their resources. Never discouraged, and not losing her passion, Lizzy learned a lot about how best to help people help themselves. Her photos from the University of Ghana reveal her perspective.

University of Ghana in Legon Ghana's finest university	The Library

A library full of books is a key to college education...	...but only if you can find the books you need.

The unversity receives donated collections from foreign libraries.	The resource must be managed better to reach its potential.

New Desks for a School

Ali and Lizzy learned about a school in critical need of new desks. Money was supplied to have the desks built.	There was genuine appreciation from the students and faculty.

On a return visit to see the finished product, there were simple toys...	...and treats for the children. Maybe next year electric lights and fans.

Volunteers at an Orphanage with
LDS Humanitarion Missionaries

Lizzy, Ali and Alice offered to help with Church humanitarian efforts.	Covered foam matresses were delivered to this orphanage. These pictures show the school classrooms.

Working at an Orphanage for Handicapped Children

Lizzy and Friends
There is an orphanage in Accra for handicapped children.
Most have been abandoned because parents could not afford to care for them.

Some children are left (required) to sit on potty chairs much of each day.	Getting bathed is a cause for smiles.

Sister Leishman (missionary) and Katelin McKee (Church employee's daughter) caring for infants with cerebal palsy.	This lady is a professional masseuse from the Netherlands. She comes twice each year to work with children who need muscle development.

Belinda has hydrocephaly and is confined to her potty chair in a corner all day.	Moses, 6, can't walk but crawls like a spider. He always smiles.

Michael's eyes are hard to resist.	A Beautiful Infant

This is CCT. He has Downs syndrome and has never learned to walk.	He gets around using his head, feet and hands with an occasional look up to check his location.

This little guy was in love with Ali.
Where ever she was, he would put down his
chair so he could somehow touch her.

In Sunbeam Montessori School

Monica Ohene-Opare, Ali, Emmanuel Ohene-Opare

Brother and Sister Opare are long time members of the Church and own and operate a Montessori school near Accra. They are not at all shy about the religious roots of their school. It is named the Golden Sunbeam Montessori School. The school motto is "Choose the Right." While the children in this school are more privileged than those in the orphanages and schools shown above, Lizzy , Ali and Alice found it fulfilling to teach these children and try to be role models.

School Patch on Uniform	Napping on Tables

Crayons are locked up and only used for special occasions...	...like a birthday party for Ali.

Look! Someone brought treats for the party.	Talk about being the center of attention.

New books are exciting.	The children enjoy lunch during a field trip to the zoo.

Faculty and Staff Letitia, Marian Ohene-Opare Eric the bus driver, and a helper	Lizzy Surrounded by Friends

For the girls, Lizzy became a role model extraordinaire.	But the guys just plain loved her!

Lizzy came to Africa infatuated,

but she left in love.

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