At Openprovider, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a key part of how we want to keep growing and evolving as a company. CSR is based on the belief that businesses have a greater duty to society than just providing jobs and making profits, which aligns with our core values. We don’t just want to generate profit, we want to make the world a better place.
Besides providing our customers with safe and accessible digital identities, we are also continuously looking for other ways in which we can do our part. That’s why we decided to sponsor Jill Vis, our HR administrator, on her mission to do charity work in Ghana. In this article, you can read more about Jill’s experience and what role Openprovider played in this.
What inspired you to go to Ghana?
Jill: Before graduation, I was already considering going on a trip somewhere. So, when a friend asked me whether I wanted to join her on a charity trip to Ghana to help build a media library there, I said yes immediately. In high school, I already did volunteer work abroad, and I loved this experience. Not only are you doing something great for a community, but it also helps you grow as a person.
What I loved about this project was that the request to build this library came fully from the Ghanaian community. Mediamundial, the organization I worked with, focuses on different projects worldwide that help people get more access to the digital world.
In addition to this, I had never been to Africa before, and it was an exciting prospect for me to explore a small part of this continent. I was looking forward to immersing myself in the Ghanaian culture, learning about the country’s history, and witnessing the project’s impact on the local community firsthand.
How did you experience the fundraising for the project?
All in all, the fundraising went well and we achieved the goal we set for ourselves as a group. One way we raised funds for the project was by selling ginger shots. We spent hours making liters of shots, filling and labeling bottles, and selling them to people. It was quite a lot of work – there were times we had to make around 90 liters of shots with just two small slow juicers! However, it was an amazing experience to do this together as a team, and the popularity of the shots exceeded our expectations.
Besides ginger shots, we sold clothing, organized football clinics, a party, and charity dinners, and personally asked people and businesses for donations. These diverse activities not only generated funds but also fostered a sense of community spirit and involvement in the project. At times it was a struggle. However, when you are in the process of doing this, you notice that people are very willing to help when it is a good cause, and this motivates us to keep going.
What was the experience in Ghana like?
It was a great experience! It was my first time visiting Africa, so I went with an open mind and full of curiosity. The place where we would construct the media library is called Assin Nkran, a tranquil place surrounded by a beautiful landscape. When we arrived, children greeted us with boundless enthusiasm, their smiles radiating joy and innocence. We had conversations with them, played football, danced, and played Uno and Rummikub. Their energy was so beautiful. Witnessing firsthand the eagerness of the children to learn and grow, it became clear to me how vital this media library was to their future.
The construction work was tough: it was very hot, and the manual labor was completely different from my usual reality of working from home. However, under the supervision of the architecture team and with a team of local workers, we made great progress. It was amazing to see how the work we did contributed to the foundation of the building.
Besides working on the library construction, we also got to explore the country and culture. We spent one day in the capital, Accra – from the vibrant spice markets to a visit to Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park & Mausoleum. We also got to try some great traditional foods, such as jollof and fufu, and experienced a little bit of African nightlife.
On other days, we got to see some of the natural and cultural highlights of the country. One day, we visited Cape Coast Castle and the ancestral river park, where we delved into the painful past of slavery. We also went to a natural park, where we did a canopy walk and hike, immersing ourselves in the beauty of Ghana’s natural landscapes.
This trip taught me more about life in Ghana and the history and culture of this beautiful country. My time in Ghana had a huge impact on me and has inspired me to continue making positive changes in the world. I will take these memories with me forever.
How did Openprovider support your mission?
Openprovider was eager to contribute, and they did a great job supporting us in this project. We held multiple meetings with our team, Openprovider’s CEO and CMO, our project leaders Lennart and Gijs, and representatives from Mediamundial, through which our management team at Openprovider got to learn more about our mission. Openprovider’s donation strongly contributed towards achieving our goals. Their engagement and commitment demonstrated their dedication to making a meaningful impact in communities, and I believe this was a great first step towards our commitment to continue contributing towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the coming years.
