Our story

Godsway grew up at Happy Kids as Elizabeth’s step-son, and works as a Program Director and serves as an invaluable team member who helps to manage and oversee our livestock and farming projects, and also works consistently to plan empowering and income generating projects for the kids. He is a smart, dedicated, and loving force for our kids and organisation. Godsway is a brilliant and creative person who is always seeking out unique, community-based solutions to the challenges Happy Kids faces. Godsway is currently studying Graphic Design in Accra at a University, all while being the guardian and adviser for our oldest kids that are entering and/or progressing in secondary school.

Over the last decade, Knox has been involved at various levels within the volunteering field and youth development work. He is deeply passionate about volunteering and working with children to educate them and provide a forum for them to begin making a difference. These projects have included improving the lives of those in destitute communities, working with vulnerable populations, and bridging the gap between those from more affluent backgrounds with those less privileged in society. This passion influenced his decision to study Youth Development Studies at the University of Ghana and to further gain experience over the last decade both locally and internationally.

Knox strongly believes that we should all be the change we want to see in the world. Through this mantra, he decided to pursue social work within his career in order to provide a helping hand to the vulnerable. This drive and passion is something that has attracted Knox to Happy Kids and  their mission to empower children by giving them resources to create a future not defined by their circumstances.  His ability to help provide vulnerable children access to education health care, housing, nutrition, and income generating skills is what has inspired him to work with Happy Kids.

Previously, Knox held the position of Project Supervisor for Platform2 from 2008 to 2010, and Project Supervisor in Newfounlad in Canada 2013-2015 where he was responsible for supervising groups of between 16-48 British volunteers on projects such as teaching, construction and childcare. He has also supervised a group of volunteers from the International Student House, Cross Culture Solution, Gbi Special School for Intellectually Disabled Children.

While in Canada,  Knox volunteered with Canada World Youth, The YMCA, homeless shelters, community kitchens, gave presentations at local schools, and assisted at a community clinic doing outreach work. When he returned to Ghana, he continued his outreach work by assisting on a water and sanitation project and by providing his expertise to the Daughters of Africa. This latter project allowed him to work on building the capacity of young women in the community and create awareness on HIV/AIDS in collaboration with St. Francis Xavier hospital in Assin Fosu. He later returned back to Canada as Project Supervisor on the same project.

With all of these experiences, Knox has gained strong leadership skills and a strict work ethic. He works effectively with groups and individuals of various cultural and religious backgrounds. He can respond to and adapt quickly to new situations and maintain a high level of motivation in his work, which he uses to boost group morale and keep projects on track. Knox always carries out tasks with diligence and enthusiasm.

Cassie Rosengren is Co-Founder Digital Knack, a boutique recruiting firm that helps socially responsible tech companies build teams and scale culture in the United States. With a B.S. in Communications and Entrepreneurship from UCSB, Cassie’s career started in Marketing & PR where she took special notice of Corporate Social Responsibility Programs. At a young age, Cassie was lucky to travel globally. With an early awareness that each of us are inextricably connected, she felt it would be a part of her responsibility in this life to empower those capable, yet not accessible to resources of survival, growth and development. 5+ years ago, Cassie started to work at Happy Kids as a volunteer – it was love at first sight and since then, Cassie has dedicated her social impact efforts to Happy Kids. Over the years, she began to see a need for long-term, sustainable support to help raise our children, prepare for future generations, and generate local sustainability on the ground in Ghana. As the Vice President of the U.S. Happy Kids Board, Cassie is the bridge between the Ghana Management Team, and the U.S. Team. She supports Kelsey Finnegan, President of U.S. Board, with ensuring that all programs and initiatives necessary to deliver well-rounded child development including education, nutrition, creative expression, love and personal growth are in place for Happy Kids. Cassie also increases awareness and donation engagement while spearheading the Volunteer Program and Strategic Partnerships (US and Ghana).

Natalie first fell in love with traveling after she graduated college and went on a backpacking trip with friends.  Like most people who travel to developing countries, her eyes were quickly opened to the extreme poverty and dire circumstances that exists in many parts of the world.  Her travels soon began to have a purpose, to find those in need and use her resources and strengths to help in any way that she could.  After several attempts to volunteer with other organizations, she began to feel frustrated with the lack of accountability and transparency she encountered.  She then heard about a Grass Roots Organization called Happy Kids.  In 2016, she made the trip to Ghana and instantly fell in love with the kids.  She saw a need and a clear way to be apart of the solution, confident her support would be used in the right way.  Partnering with the Ghana team and the Director of Happy Kids, Natalie continued to help after she returned home as an advocate for Happy Kids, following up with projects initiated while in country. Currently, Natalie serves as the Director of Communications for the Happy Kids US Board.  Some of her duties include sponsorship communication, managing child updates, and sharing social media content.

Christy Mahar has been in a product marketer for over 6 years and recently joining a Santa Barbara based property management software company AppFolio, where she drive the go to market strategies that connect their product to its customers and prospects. With a B.S. in Communications and Entrepreneurship from UCSB, Christy found her passion for activism and technology early on. She led student organizations Students Coalition and Dialogue for Peace that raised awareness and funds to alleviate human need domestically and abroad. One of the organizations she became connected to through her work as a student leader was Happy Kids. After learning about the organization and partnering from afar, Christy joined Happy Kids the summer of 2011 and was instantly hooked by the kids laughter, dedication to learn and love for each other. Happy Kids has grown significantly since she first taught a class under palm trees. It is the impact of this progress that makes her incredibly excited and dedicated to the future of Happy Kids. Christy is focused on ensuring we are able to support the future growth of Happy Kids by becoming a US registered non-profit and working with the board to identify future grant and partnership opportunities.