Meet Our Team
Emmanuel Senameh - President
Emmanuel is the heart of Educating Kids in Ghana. Without his compassion and concern for children in Ghana, we would not have the organization. His own story is a poignant reminder of the importance of supporting these children. It appears below in his own words written in 2017:
My name is Emmanuel Senameh. I am 40 year old and the second born out of seven siblings. I live in Ada-Foah, a community basically dominated by farmers and fishermen. I lost my father in 14th, Sept. 1991, because of an illness.
My late father married (3) wives and our late mother was the last. I started school at the age of (15) years after the death of my father. My mother could not stand the shame and pain for seeing most of us in the house. She did all her best to send few of us to school. In 4th July 1993, I lost my mother because of stress and pressure to cater for her children. Prior to this untimely incident, I could not continue my education any longer. Because my family numbers could not take the responsibility based on this financial background. I ended my educational career and vision only in class six. Since that time my life became very difficult so I decided to go into driving.
Anytime I see people demonstrate their talent which they have received from formal education, I am always filled with sorrow and passion for the children who are continuously on the farm based on lack of funds for their education. The situation in my community always hurts me and makes me develop the passion to support the uneducated even though I do not have the funds.
In 2009 happened to be the visit of Madam Janet and her friends to Ghana. Fortunately enough, I became their driver as at that time. I ended up driving them around until they finally left Ghana.
I became a very good close friend to Madam Janet and others through their visit to Ghana in 2009. Based on the high level of uneducated children in Ghana, Madam Janet and all others sacrificed to help children go to school in Ghana.
My name is Emmanuel Senameh. I am 40 year old and the second born out of seven siblings. I live in Ada-Foah, a community basically dominated by farmers and fishermen. I lost my father in 14th, Sept. 1991, because of an illness.
My late father married (3) wives and our late mother was the last. I started school at the age of (15) years after the death of my father. My mother could not stand the shame and pain for seeing most of us in the house. She did all her best to send few of us to school. In 4th July 1993, I lost my mother because of stress and pressure to cater for her children. Prior to this untimely incident, I could not continue my education any longer. Because my family numbers could not take the responsibility based on this financial background. I ended my educational career and vision only in class six. Since that time my life became very difficult so I decided to go into driving.
Anytime I see people demonstrate their talent which they have received from formal education, I am always filled with sorrow and passion for the children who are continuously on the farm based on lack of funds for their education. The situation in my community always hurts me and makes me develop the passion to support the uneducated even though I do not have the funds.
In 2009 happened to be the visit of Madam Janet and her friends to Ghana. Fortunately enough, I became their driver as at that time. I ended up driving them around until they finally left Ghana.
I became a very good close friend to Madam Janet and others through their visit to Ghana in 2009. Based on the high level of uneducated children in Ghana, Madam Janet and all others sacrificed to help children go to school in Ghana.
Holly Smith - Vice President
Holly Smith has been honored to be a part of EKG since it was founded. After being invited to go to Ghana with Janet in 2016, she fell head over heels with Ghanaian children and people. Going to the schools and interacting with the children was life-altering. Seeing how hard people have to work made her want to do something to help improve the lives of the brilliant and beautiful children she met. She has now been to Ghana twice and is homesick for another visit.
Holly worked in the health insurance industry for 15 years and currently she and her husband own and operate a finish carpentry construction company. She also works part time as a yoga instructor and for Harley Davidson.
Holly lives in Ogden Utah with her husband and her three spoiled cats. She loves being a step-mother to 3 amazing humans and 7 incredible grandchildren. For fun, she loves to work out, bake, ride her Harley and travel the world (6 continents down, one to go).
Holly worked in the health insurance industry for 15 years and currently she and her husband own and operate a finish carpentry construction company. She also works part time as a yoga instructor and for Harley Davidson.
Holly lives in Ogden Utah with her husband and her three spoiled cats. She loves being a step-mother to 3 amazing humans and 7 incredible grandchildren. For fun, she loves to work out, bake, ride her Harley and travel the world (6 continents down, one to go).
Joanne Stansfield - Secretary
Joanne has worked as a waitress, secretary, engineering drafter, and an insurance agent. Her greatest accomplishment has been successfully combining families and raising four children who eventually added 15 grandchildren to her family. Her love of children continued as she volunteered in kindergarten class rooms and has sponsored children from underdeveloped countries for over 30 years. Joanne is delighted to serve as secretary of EKG since its inception (she suggested the name EKG). She was raised in Michigan, now makes Utah her home. She enjoys traveling, golfing, quilting, gardening and spending time with family and friends.
Lindsay Friedli - Treasurer
Lindsay Friedli, the treasurer of EKG, went to Ghana in 2013. It was the trip of a lifetime because she got to go with her mom, Janet. They both share a great love for the Ghanaian people. It was a real eye-opener for her to see the lives of these beautiful people. She wants to be a part of helping them out of poverty and providing these children with an education to widen their opportunities. Lindsay has worked as a CNA and she has served on the board of the Women's Retreat House, which is a recovery facility in our community. She has been a cosmetologist for 17 years and she now owns a salon in her home. She has an amazing husband, two beautiful boys, one darling little girl, and a sweet puppy.
Barbara Hughes - Community Coordinator
Barbara Morrell Hughes graduated from West Liberty State University in West Virginia with a degree in Dental Hygiene. She worked in private practice for 12 years in Florida and Ohio. She moved to Utah where she attended Westminster College earning a degree in social science. She then went on to the University of Utah for a masters in social work. She is presently in private practice working with client with marital problem, depression, anxiety and grief. In the past she taught school for four years and worked with her church youth program, helping low income families access services.
She presently volunteers with Canine Companions for Independence, helping socialize and train dogs for service to assist people with disabilities.
She grew up in Pennsylvania but Utah has been her home for 38 years. She has successfully blended two families with 5 children, 9 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
She and her husband are supporters of NPHUSA.
Barbara is delighted to have the opportunity to be on board of this wonderful organization, EKG. Seeing the growth in these beautiful children is so exciting. She is grateful to be part of Educating Kids in Ghana.
She presently volunteers with Canine Companions for Independence, helping socialize and train dogs for service to assist people with disabilities.
She grew up in Pennsylvania but Utah has been her home for 38 years. She has successfully blended two families with 5 children, 9 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
She and her husband are supporters of NPHUSA.
Barbara is delighted to have the opportunity to be on board of this wonderful organization, EKG. Seeing the growth in these beautiful children is so exciting. She is grateful to be part of Educating Kids in Ghana.
Donna Kersey - Board Member
Donna Kersey has lived her entire life in this area of Utah. She is married with one adult son. Her whole family is close and they are her best friends. Her career was working for the U.S. Air Force - retiring with 38 years. She is now proving that life begins at retirement!
She loves to travel, loves to do all types of crafts and she loves to spend time with her family and friends. She loves to pay it forward to people. Donna says she has been blessed to be a part of EKG since the beginning. She feels that she is so lucky to be involved in an organization that is so generous, giving and and caring.
She always says her life is PERFECT.
She loves to travel, loves to do all types of crafts and she loves to spend time with her family and friends. She loves to pay it forward to people. Donna says she has been blessed to be a part of EKG since the beginning. She feels that she is so lucky to be involved in an organization that is so generous, giving and and caring.
She always says her life is PERFECT.
Michelle Hallsten - Website/Social Media
Michelle Hallsten was born and raised in Wisconsin and moved to Utah in 2001. She graduation from Weber State University with a Bachelor of Integrated Studies and focused on web design. Michelle loves kids and enjoys volunteering her time to help kids. She has a beautiful family and enjoys spending time with family and friends. Michelle has been a sponsor of EKG for many years before deciding to join the board in 2021. Janet VanderStappen, the founder of EKG, has always been an inspiration to her. Janets drive and passion for the organization is what motivated Michelle to want to join the team.
Janet VanderStappen - Founder
I went to Ghana for the first time in February of 2009 to personally meet the kids that my friends and I had sponsored with a local organization up to that point. We now sponsor kids in three regions in Ghana whose families are not able to
pay their school fees. We have met some amazing parents who are very concerned about their childrens education. I became very good friends with our driver, Emmanuel, while I was there the first time and he told me how many of his friends and family members could not afford to send their kids to school. We both decided to start sponsoring kids on our own with no middle man so we would know exactly where all the money goes. He finds children who are willing to work hard to complete the work the teachers assign to them. I went again with two friends in February of 2013 and had the pleasure of meeting and spending time with the new kids we had started helping since 2009. My most recent trip was in May of 2016. We were able to visit the schools, spend time with many of the students and give their teachers ideas on some new ways to teach the curriculum. It was the most amazing experience and I feel so blessed to be able to return to Ghana to see the kids in person!
I send Emmanuel the school fees that our sponsors donate and he takes the money directly
to the headmasters of the schools the kids are attending. We now sponsor over 100 children! They are all doing well and working hard! They are so beautiful and so excited to be able to attend school on a regular basis. We have had three of our children graduate from high school! That is an exception to the rule there.
When we decide to support a child in school, we try to get help from people who will be committed to their long term education. So many kids have to drop out of school because the family can't afford to pay the fees on a consistent, long term basis. I can provide a mailing address so you can write letters and hopefully start a personal relationship with the child you sponsor.
Emmanuel is one of the kindest, most honest men I have ever met. I trust him implicitly. He never forgets to tell me how grateful he is for the help they receive!
pay their school fees. We have met some amazing parents who are very concerned about their childrens education. I became very good friends with our driver, Emmanuel, while I was there the first time and he told me how many of his friends and family members could not afford to send their kids to school. We both decided to start sponsoring kids on our own with no middle man so we would know exactly where all the money goes. He finds children who are willing to work hard to complete the work the teachers assign to them. I went again with two friends in February of 2013 and had the pleasure of meeting and spending time with the new kids we had started helping since 2009. My most recent trip was in May of 2016. We were able to visit the schools, spend time with many of the students and give their teachers ideas on some new ways to teach the curriculum. It was the most amazing experience and I feel so blessed to be able to return to Ghana to see the kids in person!
I send Emmanuel the school fees that our sponsors donate and he takes the money directly
to the headmasters of the schools the kids are attending. We now sponsor over 100 children! They are all doing well and working hard! They are so beautiful and so excited to be able to attend school on a regular basis. We have had three of our children graduate from high school! That is an exception to the rule there.
When we decide to support a child in school, we try to get help from people who will be committed to their long term education. So many kids have to drop out of school because the family can't afford to pay the fees on a consistent, long term basis. I can provide a mailing address so you can write letters and hopefully start a personal relationship with the child you sponsor.
Emmanuel is one of the kindest, most honest men I have ever met. I trust him implicitly. He never forgets to tell me how grateful he is for the help they receive!