DIASPORA FAMILIES

Established in 2019 by Cynthia Obleton, Fawohodze—meaning "freedom" in the Akan Fante dialect—strives to weave a thread of unity and healing between citizens of African nations and their counterparts in the United States. Nestled within the ethos of freedom, Fawohodze curates transformative journeys to Ghana, West Africa, for African Americans aged between 13-25 and senior citizens above 62, particularly focusing on individuals who traditionally lack access to international travel.

These journeys, tailored to income levels, provide an invaluable opportunity for African Americans to reconnect with their roots and delve into their cultural heritage across the span of life.

As a native of Ghana, Obleton's childhood unfolded in the village of Abandze, shadowed by the historic Fort Amsterdam, a landmark deeply entrenched in the legacy of slavery. Her migration to America illuminated the chasm that existed between Africans on the continent and those scattered across the diaspora. Driven by a vision to bridge this disconnect, Obleton launched Fawohodze. Her aim was to rekindle the essence of African culture, tradition, and heritage within American soil by offering enriching courses on African cuisine, traditional baby wearing, hair braiding and natural hair care techniques, geography, local customs, and more. The Fawohodze Project underscores the healing and empowering nature of understanding one's heritage and living it.

In Ghana, the project also plays a pivotal role in empowering local youth, offering library access and homework support to augment their academic prospects and foster independent thought. Additionally, the project reaches out to women at risk, equipping them with literacy skills, better employment opportunities, and fostering environmental consciousness, thereby carving a pathway towards self-sufficiency.

"Fawohodze, a testament to unity and healing, seeks to mend the divide caused by the transatlantic slave trade between African Americans and their African counterparts. Our mission: to pave a path home for African American youth, young adults, and senior citizens, enabling them to experience their roots in Ghana, West Africa, at no cost. This powerful journey is designed to immerse them in the richness of Ghanaian culture and traditions.

Parallelly, Fawohodze fuels the future of Ghanaian youth through interactive exchanges with their African American peers, supplemented with library access, after-school, and homework support. This dual approach fosters potential, nurtures success, and solidifies the bond between two distinct yet connected communities."

The Fawohodze Project is passionately committed to enriching the lives of African Americans by fortifying their connection to their African heritage. We make this possible by offering fully-funded trips to Ghana for young individuals, adults, and senior citizens from the USA. These journeys offer a unique opportunity to immerse in African culture, participate in traditional practices, and heal ancestral wounds through meaningful connections with their African brethren. This initiative is of the Black community, by the Black community, and for the Black community.