Welcome to WADSO
As your LOCAL connection to GLOBAL impact, we care about what you care about—things like quality healthcare and education. Together, we support West African communities toward their efforts for self-sustainability and a better future. You’re invited to help us make a difference.
Core Values
All projects are initiated and led by trusted West Africans.
100% of all donations go directly to West Africa.
We encourage and develop cross-cultural relationships.
Donor designations are honored and full disclosure of expenditures is provided.
Investing in West Africans
100% of your donation goes to West Africa
Initiated & led by West Africans
Donate Now!
100% of YOUR donations go directly to West Africa. 100% of operating expenses are covered by WADSO Board of Directors.
Read more...
About Us
WADSO began officially in 2001 in Fort Collins, Colorado to support life-sustaining projects in West Africa.
- Projects are identified and initiated by indigenous leaders.
- We raise funds and resources to support those leaders to provide things like healthcare and education in West African communities.
- We offer a local, personal connection to our West African partners.
Mission, Vision and Values
Investing in initiatives identified and led by West Africans that improve their health, education, and well being.
VISION
The basic needs of West Africans are met and they have opportunities to become self-sufficient.
CORE VALUES
- African Partners. All supported projects are initiated and led by trusted West Africans in accordance with social justice and self-direction. Their dignity, independence, and diversity are honored and respected. Projects range from emergency aid to sustainability expenses to economic development.
- 100% Model. 100% of your donations go directly to West Africa. 100% of WADSO’s operating expenses are covered by WADSO Board of Directors and/or donors that specify that their donations be used to cover operating expenses. 100% of WADSO board members donate time and money to WADSO.
- Connection. As global citizens, WADSO engages people in Fort Collins, greater northern Colorado, and across the U.S. with West Africans by offering education about their needs and strengths, and providing opportunities for cross-cultural relationships.
- Transparency/Accountability. Donor designations for WADSO-approved projects are honored and full disclosure regarding expenditures is provided.
Our Story
With a passion to invest in West Africans in their efforts to be economically self-sustainable, a group of like-minded people founded WADSO in 2001. This passion arose in part from relationships with a West African parish priest who served at John XXIII University Church in Fort Collins, Colorado.
With support from people like you, WADSO has successfully helped West Africans finish building the Madonna Hospital
in Nigeria that specializes in eye care, orthopedics and surgery, as well as an orphanage for children with disabilities in Ghana (Nazareth Home for All’s God’s Children).
WADSO also supports educational and agricultural initiatives in Cote d’Ivoire.
WADSO raised support for Ebola prevention and relief in Liberia (Transformation International) and for security guards
and internet access at another Nigerian hospital (Faith Alive Hospital). WADSO has also worked to increase awareness of West Africans’ strengths and
struggles and to initiate relationships with some amazing West Africans. View Projects for more information.
Current projects include
Madonna Hospital,
Transformation International Peanut Butter House Fund,
Best Brains International University,
and Boys/Girls Scholarships.
WADSO is independent of any specific religious affiliation and welcomes participation from a variety of people and organizations. We are excited in late 2014 to have added new board members and partners in Liberia and Nigeria.
Please consider being part of WADSO during this exciting new chapter of our story.
Leadership
We are a group of volunteers who are passionate about and committed to raising support (money, in-kind donations, and supplies)
for life-sustaining and enhancing projects that our West African partners request and lead. We also educate people about the
conditions in West Africa and how to help well.
Contact Us
Mailing Address
West African Development Support Organization (WADSO)
512 Sanddollar Ct., Fort Collins, Colorado, 80525, USA
Email Us
wadsohope@gmail.com
Call Us
+1 970-481-3703
Current Projects
Madonna Hospital (Nigeria)
Madonna Hospital began as a clinic, specializing in eye care. From 2006-2010, WADSO raised funds to complete the construction of the 2 story hospital. From 2008-present, WADSO has worked with partner organizations to send 6 shipping containers filled with donated medical equipment to Madonna Hospital. In 2021, WADSO participated in...
Read more...Best Brains International University
(Monrovia, Liberia)
The Best Brains International University (BBIU) was created on June 8, 2018 when the vision bearer (Rev. Dr. J. Luther Tarpeh) presided over the first meeting with two likeminded professionals-Mrs. Christine A. Tarpeh and Mr. Anthony F. Williams.The goal of the University is to operate a state of the art technological institution...
Read more...Peanut Butter House(Liberia)
Partner: Transformation InternationalIntriguing name, right? WADSO fully supports a fortified peanut butter manufacturing and distribution center at Transformation International in Monrovia, Liberia that currently produces about 1,000 packets a month of this life-saving...
Read more...Current Project Details
Madonna Hospital began as a clinic, specializing in eye care. From 2006-2010, WADSO raised funds to complete the construction of the 2 story hospital. From 2008-present, WADSO has worked with partner organizations to send 6 shipping containers filled with donated medical equipment to Madonna Hospital. In 2021, WADSO participated in a Rotary Global Grant to purchase new laboratory equipment for Madonna Hospital.
Madonna Hospital currently serves more than 1,000 patients/month in its 100-bed facility with five patient wards and eight departments. Emergency services are provided immediately, regardless of the patient’s ability to pay. Both in-patient and out-patient services are available for children and adults, with a preferential option for the poor. Madonna Hospital is the referral center for smaller outlying hospitals including Mercy Hospital, St. Michael’s Hospital and St. Nicholas Hospital.
In 2011 and 2016, members of the WADSO Board visited Madonna Hospital. You can see the hospital, meet some of the hospital staff and patients by viewing this video made by Chris Cloyd: https://vimeo.com/336499799 .
WADSO video: https://vimeo.com/66351687
Lady Madonna Hospital with Dr. Ogbonna: https://vimeo.com/336499799
Madonna Hospital Update April 2, 2024:
In early 2023, WADSO became aware that Madonna Hospital did not have access to municipal water and relied totally on a well on the property for water. This well was approximately 20 years old. If anything happened to the well or the electric pump, the hospital would have to close. WADSO raised $6,800 so that a new well could be drilled and fitted with a solar powered pump. The well is providing high quality water.
In late 2023, the solar power system for the hospital stopped working because the original batteries wore out and needed to be replaced. WADSO raised the funds to purchase and install two lithium batteries. Lithium batteries are superior to the original batteries. The solar power system is functioning very well.
In 2022, the municipal electrical power supply was very inconsistent and the hospital generator was running frequently. Eventually the generator wore out and could not be repaired. WADSO sponsored a fundraiser that raised almost $14,000. A used 125 kva generator was purchased for the hospital and it is working well.
In early 2021, a Rotary Global Grant provided five new pieces of equipment for Madonna Hospital’s laboratory. Prior to 2011, most of the lab tests were done manually which was time intensive. The new automated equipment has enabled the lab to double the number of tests that are done, which is a dramatic increase.
The Best Brains International University (BBIU) . was created on June 8, 2018 when the vision bearer (Rev. Dr. J. Luther Tarpeh) presided over the first meeting with two like-minded professionals - Rev. Christine A. Tarpeh and Mr. Anthony F. Williams.
The goal of the University is to operate a state of the art technological institution, shifting the dynamics from traditional learning to a digital e-learning environment that will help in addressing numerous challenges that are confronting the learning atmosphere.
Best Brains International University (BBIU) is committed to academic excellence, the development of ethical leadership, nurtured collaborative working relationships with others and a sense of patriotic spirit to country first.
Committed to the development of the whole person (the heart and the head) they have created the following:
- School of Business
- School of Education
- School of Liberal Arts
- School of Social Sciences
- School of Information Technology
Partner: Transformation International
Intriguing name, right? WADSO fully supports a fortified peanut butter manufacturing and distribution center at Transformation International in Monrovia, Liberia that currently produces about 1,000 packets a month of this life-saving food to severely malnourished Liberians. The Peanut Butter House also serves as a learning lab for TI youth. $20 a month feeds ten malnourished children, $50 a month feeds twenty five, $100 a month feeds fifty. Please consider being a sustainable donor by giving on a monthly basis.
Please click Donate now for ways to do that easily.
Completed Projects
Hospital Wishlist
(Nigeria)
Partner: Faith Alive
Faith Alive hospital’s founding coordinator, Dr. Chris Isichei, is the best person to determine the hospital’s most pressing needs. Therefore, WADSO is raising money to be able to quickly respond to...
Read more...Elim Student Scholarship
(Nigeria)
Partner: Elim School
Sponsoring a child’s education at Elim school in Jos, Nigeria costs $170 per year, about 50 cents a day. WADSO supports scholarships for orphans and widows’ children. ponsors can pay once per year or...
Read more...Christmas Campaign 2014
Thanks to donors like you who helped us raise our $25,000 goal during the Christmas campaign. Because of YOU, hundreds of people are better able to prevent the spread of Ebola and thousands of people are better able to be protected from ...
Read more...Ebola Relief
Partners: Transformation International First Presbyterian Church (Fort Collins)Before February 2015, Liberian Revs. Luther and Christine Tarpeh of Transformation International described the current situation in Monrovia as a “nightmare.” Their most pressing need was...
Read more...Nazareth Orphanage
(Ghana)
In rural parts of Ghana, children born with a physical deformity, disability, or anomaly such as twin pregnancy are considered “spirit children.” Infants who are born with disabilities are...
Read more...Security & Internet (Nigeria)
Partners: Faith Alive Foundation-NigeriaNigerian Dr. Christian Isichei, Founding Coordinator at the Faith Alive Foundation-Nigeria, is experiencing budget cuts of $53,000 a month from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief program in a country where terrorists are kidnapping girls and...
Read more...TI Boys and Girls School Scholarships(Monrovia, Liberia)
Partner: Transformation InternationalRevs. Luther and Christine Tarpeh, founding leaders of Transformation International in Monrovia, Liberia, are committed to providing holistic care, including a residential program and schooling fees, for...
Read more...Best Brains Academy Teacher and Administrator Salaries
(Monrovia, Liberia)
Partner: Transformation International
Best Brains Academy (BBA) is a state-of-the art K-8 school founded on September 5, 2012 by Revs. Luther and Christine Tarpeh with the aim of impacting the total child for the future. Best Brains focuses on a well-balanced academic and...
Read more...Education and Agriculture
(Cote d’Ivoire)
More information coming soon about the educational and agricultural initiatives.
Completed Project Details
Partner: Faith Alive
Faith Alive hospital’s founding coordinator, Dr. Chris Isichei, determined the hospital’s most pressing needs. WADSO, as a partner to Faith Alive, raised money to respond to their requests for things ranging from international surgery-related expenses for critically ill patients, to a new ultrasound machine in the maternity unit or a new 4-wheel drive vehicle to be used as an ambulance, hearse, and carrier of medical supplies to the hospital’s satellite sites.
Partner: Elim School
Sponsoring a child’s education at Elim school in Jos, Nigeria costs $170 per year, about 50 cents a day. WADSO supports scholarships for orphans and widows’ children. Sponsors can pay once per year or arrange to donate $15 per month. Through donors like you, WADSO sponsors 40 of the 50 orphans and vulnerable children who need scholarships.
Please consider sponsorship a student.
Thanks to donors like you who helped us raise our $25,000 goal during the Christmas campaign. Because of YOU, hundreds of people are better able to prevent the spread of Ebola and thousands of people are better able to be protected from violence
Partners:
Transformation International, First Presbyterian Church (Fort Collins)
Before February 2015, Liberian Revs. Luther and Christine Tarpeh of Transformation International described the current situation in Monrovia as a “nightmare.” Their most pressing need was for money to purchase chlorine and sanitizer for Ebola prevention, and food for their students and neighbors: the price of food there has doubled during this crisis. Transformation International projects include primary & secondary education, residential youth facilities, and nutrition through the Peanut Butter House that makes and distributes fortified peanut butter to severely malnourished people.
Thanks to you and a generous donation from First Presbyterian Church in Fort Collins, Colorado, WADSO was able to send enough money to meet many of their emergency needs
In rural parts of Ghana, children born with a physical deformity, disability, or anomaly such as twin pregnancy are considered “spirit children.” Infants who are born with disabilities are often “sacrificed” because they are considered a bad omen.
Rev. Sister Stan Terese M. Mumuni, a Ghanian sister in the Marian Sisters of Eucharistic Love (MASEL), is doing something great to save these children. She founded a Catholic orphanage (Nazareth Home for All God’s Children) that welcomes children regardless of religion, tribal grouping, income, language, social or educational background, or extent and severity of physical disabilities. Sister Stan negotiates with parents to bring these little ones to her orphanage. The first goal of the ministry is to rescue the children and then, in time, to demonstrate to the parents and community at large that the children are not “evil spirits” and that they can and should be loved and cared for.
She describes her response to this evil, saying, “We give ourselves to God for the service of persons who are poor; we meet the marginalized, and those cut off from the sunlight of companionship in our large human family. We are called to the vocation of love.”
In December of 2010, WADSO financed a team of volunteer engineers, architects and other design professionals under the auspices of EMI (Engineering Ministries International) to travel to Yendi in Ghana, Africa. Their goal was to develop a plan for the infrastructure and buildings which would house orphans who lived in run-down conditions with no running water in the village of Sang.
Phase I of the orphanage was completed in 2014 and now houses the children! Future phases include a primary/secondary school, a vocational school, a medical facility, and an animal and vegetable farm.
For those interested in following the progress of the orphanage or to donate, please go to Sister Stan’s Children, a nonprofit public charity based in Nashville, Tennessee. WADSO successfully completed our funding for the Nazareth Home in Ghana.
Context:
The Catholic Diocese of Yendi is a very rural diocese situated in the northeastern province of Ghana amid the Muslim territory of the Sahel region of West Africa. The majority of the people are illiterate. The boys are expected to till the land and girls are often given out in marriage as soon as they reach the age of puberty. Coupled with the above situation of illiteracy and poverty is the fact that in 1994 there was a very brutal ethnic war which led to the destruction of many lives and properties, the effect of which causes untold suffering to this day.
Partner: Transformation International
Revs. Luther and Christine Tarpeh, founding leaders of Transformation International in Monrovia, Liberia, are committed to providing holistic care, including a residential program and schooling fees, for about 20 youth who are orphaned or highly at-risk of being exploited. WADSO is raising money for these youth to attend TI’s Best Brains Academy. $40 a month gives one TI boy or girl the opportunity to attend this state-of-the-art school.
Through the generosity of donors the TIBoys and Girls have become self-sufficient in their education and are now attending BBA and BBIU through local scholarships and other resources. Therefore we no longer are actively involved in this scholarship program.
Partner: Transformation International
Best Brains Academy (BBA) is a state-of-the art K-8 school founded on September 5, 2012 by Revs. Luther and Christine Tarpeh with the aim of impacting the total child for the future. Best Brains focuses on a well-balanced academic and extra-curricular program without compromising the high academic standards. As a school they have created the motto:
We are BBA.
We’re simply the best.
Best Brains Academy celebrates its 10th year! See link to their Facebook page.
Through the dedication and determination of the Rev. Luther Tarpeh and his wife Christine, what once was a dream has become an established reality in Liberia. Known for its high standards and ethical practices these two educational institutions are thriving and educating the future leaders of Liberia. Although we no longer financially support these fine institutions we send our prayers for their continued success.
Nigerian Dr. Christian Isichei, Founding Coordinator at the Faith Alive Foundation-Nigeria that provides medical & social services in Jos, is experiencing budget cuts of $53,000 a month from the PEPFAR program (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief). In the country where terrorists are kidnapping girls and destroying communities, he needs to keep providing security guards 24/7 to protect the hospital that provides medical and social services to up to 10,000 patients a month. FAF-N plans to open an income-generating medical lab but needs help paying security guards for six months until the lab is fully operational.
Thanks to you and a generous donation from First Presbyterian Church in Fort Collins, Colorado, WADSO was able to raise enough enough money to pay for both security guards and internet connectivity for six months.
Partners
Thanks to donors like you, WADSO partners with these trusted partners who are leading the effort to provide important services to people in their countries.
Madonna Hospital
Madonna Hospital began as a clinic, specializing in eye care. From 2006-2010, WADSO raised funds to complete the construction of the 2 story hospital. From 2008-present, WADSO has worked with partner organizations to send...
Read more...Transformation International
Transformation International (TI) is a ministry in Monrovia, Liberia that was founded by Revs. Luther & Christine Tarpeh to respond to the great needs of post-civil war Liberia. TI’s motto is "Transforming People to Transform the Nation"....
Read more...Nazareth Orphanage
In rural parts of Ghana, children born with a physical deformity, disability, or anomaly such as twin pregnancy are considered “spirit children.” Infants who are born with disabilities are often “sacrificed” because they are considered a bad omen...
Read more...U.S. Partners - Past and Present
We work with serveral generous partners based in the United States to assist with WADSO projects.
Read more...Partner Details
Rev. Sister Stan Terese M. Mumuni, a Ghanian sister in the Marian Sisters of Eucharistic Love (MASEL), is doing something great to save these children. She founded a Catholic orphanage (Nazareth Home for All God’s Children) that welcomes children regardless of religion, tribal grouping, income, language, social or educational background, or extent and severity of physical disabilities. Sister Stan negotiates with parents to bring these little ones to her orphanage. The first goal of the ministry is to rescue the children and then, in time, to demonstrate to the parents and community at large that the children are not “evil spirits” and that they can and should be loved and cared for.
Future orphanage plans include a primary/secondary school, a vocational school, a medical facility, and an animal and vegetable farm.
To follow the progress of the orphanage, go to Sister Stan’s Children, a nonprofit public charity based in Nashville, Tennessee. You can donate directly to their organization.
Please consider becoming a sustaining donor by contributing monthly.
Connect
Thanks to people like you who want to be involved with our West African partners and make a difference! Currently there are a variety of ways to connect:
You’re invited to volunteer in a variety of ways. Short-term needs include:
- Designing top-quality graphics
- Spreading the word about our current projects
- Helping to host a couple of annual events: everything from logistics, decorating, food preparation and serving, and mailing invitations
- Writing grants
Have fun raising money to support projects. Some ideas include:
- Make and sell items
- Host a garage sale
- Hold a fundraising blitz on Facebook
- Donate a portion of your professional services
- Host a 5k run
- Offer petsitting or babysitting services
- Host a house party and recommend a specific amount per person to go toward WADSO
- Invite someone from WADSO to share an interactive presentation
- Host a birthday party and ask people to make a donation to us instead of bringing you a gift
- If you own a vacation property, rent it out a few times a year and give the proceeds to WADSO
- If you belong to a book club, ask the group to “adopt” a student or project
Donate Now
100% of YOUR donations go directly to West Africa. 100% of operating expenses are covered by WADSO Board of Directors.
100% MODEL: 100% of donations are tax-deductible. 100% of YOUR donations go directly to West Africa. 100% of operating expenses are covered by WADSO Board of Directors and/or donors who specify that their donations be used to cover operating expenses. 100% of WADSO board members donate their time and money to WADSO.
Please consider becoming a SUSTAINING DONOR by giving monthly. PLEASE INDICATE IF YOU PREFER FOR YOUR DONATION TO GO TOWARD A WADSO-ENDORSED PROJECT.
THREE CHOICES FOR EASY DONATING:
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CREDIT CARD ONLINE: Click the “Donate” PayPal button below. Please indicate in “Comments” if you want to donate in someone’s honor or memory or designate your donation toward a specific project. PayPal allows both one-time and monthly recurring donations.
How to direct your donation to a specific program or project: When you click the Donate button follow the steps below.
1. Select which method you wish to use to make your donation: PayPal or Debit/Credit Card.
2. Click on "Specify any designation".
3. Enter name of the program or project.
- BANK ACCOUNT ONLINE: For monthly recurring donations, contact your bank’s online billpay service (similiar to your mortgage or telephone bill). Just set up WADSO as a new vendor/payee in your bil pay using the Fort Collins address listed below. If there is a memo field, you can write in any specific designations. Search your billpay process for a recurring option to send the same amount to WADSO on a monthly basis. Your billpay service will then mail a check to WADSO on your behalf according to the schedule and frequency you create.
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CHECK: Please make checks payable to WADSO and send to:
WADSO, 512 Sanddollar Ct., Fort Collins, Colorado, 80525, USA. If you wish to designate your donation toward a specific project or in honor or memory of someone, please indicate that in the check’s memo line.