Cultivating Hope, Rooted in Community
From a chance meeting in Hohoe, Ghana, to an international grassroots movement dedicated to literacy and lifelong learning.
How Three Strangers Became
One Shared Mission
In 2024, three individuals from South Carolina, Florida, and Ghana crossed paths in Hohoe, Ghana, while volunteering independently on humanitarian service initiatives. While working alongside local teachers, they observed that brilliant, motivated students were frequently held back simply by an absence of basic reading materials and school essentials.
What began as informal conversations over evening meals blossomed into an enduring bond. Recognizing that temporary handouts rarely produce generational change, they committed to creating Rising Roots Foundation—a sustainable, community-anchored bridge between international donors and rural Ghanaian classrooms.
Grassroots engagement directly within village classrooms.
Our Mission & Vision
Built on empathy, accountability, and the conviction that education is a fundamental right.
Our Mission
To cultivate a deep-rooted, sustainable educational ecosystem that enhances literacy, student mentorship, and classroom resources in underserved Ghanaian communities—unlocking tangible opportunities for every young learner.
Our Vision
A world where every child, irrespective of geographic isolation or economic hardship, is equipped to realize their fullest potential, lead an empowered life, and contribute meaningfully to a flourishing global society.
Four Pillars of Impact
Targeted grassroots interventions designed to provide complete educational support.
Grassroots Libraries
Building vibrant classroom reading spaces stocked with curriculum-aligned books, storybooks, and reference literature.
Youth Mentorship
Pairing passionate local community leaders with students to foster long-term confidence, ambition, and life skills.
Essential Learning Kits
Supplying school uniforms, shoes, stationery, and learning toolkits so no child is excluded from schooling.
Local Collaboration
Partnering hand-in-hand with village elders, headteachers, and parents to address educational hurdles sustainably.
The People Behind Rising Roots
United across Ghana and the United States, our founding team pairs firsthand grassroots insight with enduring dedication to literacy, mentorship, and youth empowerment.
Juliana Santos
“A single encounter in Hohoe sparked a lifelong commitment to Ghanaian youth.”
Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Juliana grew up in Boston before settling in Florida. A graduate in Social Work from Florida Atlantic University, her devotion to humanitarian service took her to Hohoe, Ghana, where a heartfelt encounter with local children inspired the founding of Rising Roots Foundation.
Andrews (Kofi) Amenuvor
“Education is the most powerful catalyst to break cycles of poverty in our homeland.”
Raised in Ghana, Kofi witnessed firsthand the immense hurdles rural students face. Backed by parents who prioritized schooling, he pursued professional teacher training to champion classroom equity, supply learning resources, and mentor young minds across local districts.
Amily Dupré Castro
“Every child deserves the resources, books, and mentors to unlock their potential.”
Growing up in South Louisiana, Amily immersed herself in youth community initiatives from an early age. After volunteering weekly with elementary students and experiencing the vibrant spirit of Hohoe, Ghana, she co-founded Rising Roots to supply sustainable learning tools.
Want to join our mission in Ghana?
We welcome volunteer educators, youth mentors, and cross-cultural partners worldwide.