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Mission Statement/Purpose/Goals

Clap for Jesus is a 501c3 organization that was created for the purpose of helping Fr. Simon and the people of Ghana. All effort on this U.S. side is completely voluntary. 100% of donation goes to Fr. Simon and the people of Ghana.

A U.S. Executive Steering Committee was formed in November 2005 to examine the best possible ways to assist the people of Ghana and Father Simon in his efforts to bring the word of God to his people. The Executive Steering has looked at all the opportunities and prioritized them. There are opportunities with the hospital, scholarships, employment and schooling.   We determined, with enthusiastic lobbying from Fr. Simon and the local bishop, that education is the key to raising oneself out of poverty. Everything from improved farming methods to nursing to sewing to carpentry to college prep is offered as an introduction in high school. From there, a student can go to college, a vocational-tech for specific training or right into the job force.

If we can bathe them in the spirit of Jesus Christ, we have really accomplished something.  Father Simon and his Ghana based Steering Committee, have for some time been putting together plans for a Catholic High School. They have 112 acres of land, blueprints for buildings, a formalized development plan and are refining their curriculum. There are several administrative and teaching candidates identified and awaiting funding. The plans look good. The government is supportive.

Therefore, our first priority is to fund the construction of this 500 student residential school. The total costs will be about $1.2 million which is a bargain in U.S. dollars. Considering the economic impact for construction, employment and bringing in additional jobs by people who are looking for good schools, the impact is immense.

The commitment isn't just dollars. We have assembled a team (looking for more people) to help both here and in Ghana for fund-raising, engineering, project management, government relations, construction services, curriculum development and good old fashioned prayer.  We will have two teams going to Bibiani and Wiawso, Western Region, Ghana. One team of 3-4 people in February and one team of 4-6 people in late April/ May. If you are interested, please send us an e-mail (address on this website)

We also will be collecting dollars. You have three methods of giving. 1) You can send a check or a commitment to Clap for Jesus Inc. at 10945 State Bridge Rd. Suite 401-179, Alpharetta, GA 30022-5676. 2) You can send a check  to  St. Andrew's Catholic Church. Please mark the funds for Fr. Simon .(We will add more parishes as we go.)  or 3) go to the link on this website .  You can make a monthly, quarterly or annual pledge or a one time gift.

Please pray for the success of our project and the people of Ghana

Sincerely,

The Clap for Jesus Executive Steering Committee

Tom and Julie Clements
Don and Sue Madda
Mike and Sally Stapleton
Steve and Bev O'Brien
Steve and Karen Raber
Monsignor Hugh Marren
Sobem and Yvette Nwoko