In our first summer with the Cross Cultural Collaborative, the GRAAACE Project (Girls Raising Awareness Artistically As Community Educators) reached 21 girls from the greater Accra area. Co-directors, Wendy Kinal and Alli Ross, facilitated a 3 week performing arts workshop, including drama, dancing, singing, poetry, yoga and more. The girls taught us cultural dances and songs as well!!

A highlight was the cultural exchange through letter writing and artwork that we hope will continue over the years between our students in America and our participants in Ghana.

With an eye towards fostering cross-cultural awareness, and building self-esteem, our project culminated with a Creativity Celebration which attracted local families, children, friends of Aba House and members of the American Embassy. The support we received from our local community and our new found friends in Ghana will be forever cherished. The project was wonderful and exceeded our expectations entirely. We hope to maintain contact with the girls until we are able to travel to Ghana once more.

-- Alli and Wendy