'Back 2 School': Charity Donation, Ghana

God has blessed me beyond my needs, which is why I believe so strongly in paying it forward and giving back to those who aren't as fortunate. I am extremely in love with Ghana, passionate about the youth and supporting their needs, especially considering they are the future of Ghana. I was inspired to create a 'Back 2 School' drive from observing Eudoxie's (rapper & actor Ludacris' wife) charity work (Unspoken Angels) in her homeland, Gabon. In addition to sharing the the same passion for philanthropy and Ghana with a close friend, Akua Aboagye, a simple conversation was the only thing needed to get started. Akua and I (with the appreciated donations and support from family and friends) researched possibilities tirelessly before we put together a school pack that consisted of pens, pencils, rubbers, sharpeners, notebooks and a backpack for 100 odd students. The Noyaa Association (Ghana) is an intervention-based school in the coastal community of Jamestown. It is dedicated to providing education to children who are not formally enrolled in the Ghana Education System. To prevent their academic decline and from falling behind their developmental competencies, the children are admitted into the Noyaa Ghana program.

Noyaa's curriculum is strategically designed to provide a baseline education for street children in the coastal community of Jamestown, Accra. The curriculum strategically prepares the students to read, reason logically and learn basic mathematics in order to transfer them into a local government school at Level Six JHS.

Akua and I hope this is just the beginning of our giving journey, and that others will take the initiative to pay it forward, no matter how big or small. 

To learn more about Noyaa, or donate, visit their website: www.noyaaghana.org

   
   
                       
                       

                

 

THANK YOU, to those who donated: 

-Aminata Kamara

-Coconsa (Senah and Linda Fiamanya)

-Kwame Agyeman 

-Latoya Amankwatia 

Photo Credit- @shutterbuggh

~Posted by Vanessa 

Gold Coast / Surfers Paradise

When you get so consumed in all the ups and downs life throws at you, it is so important to just STOP ! Whether it's for an hour, a day, a week. This was my simple reasoning behind my impromptu trip to Gold Coast with my cousin. It was short and sweet, but I didn't even know how much I needed it. It's the simple things like laying on the beach, and soaking up an endless amount of sun that can sometimes make all the difference...

Highlights  

Parasailing 

Tallebudgera Creek

Gold Coast Botanic Gardens 

Urban Paradise Art Gallery 

Thrift Shopping 

                     

                     

                                        

                                        

                                        

                                                        

Review: Jord Watches

JORD WATCHES X 2BLAZIN SHEILAS 

 Jord Watches is a unique brand that intricately uses wood as their main component, to produce beautiful, simple, sustainable and timeless watches. Jord kindly gifted us with watches of our choice. With Australia getting colder by the day, whilst America is warming up, we thought it would be cool to do a shoot showcasing the watches, juxtaposed by our opposing seasons. 

What we LOVE about Jord Watches:

~The packaging! It comes nicely presented in a wooden box, matched with a small pillow
~Their collection of watches varies to suit different skin tones
~The designs are simple enough for everyday use
~The uniqueness of the wood aspect (can be worn with everything)
~The closure is really secure
~The average cost of the watches is reasonable. For all watch lovers that appreciate quality and style, you will appreciate Jord!
~Decent selection range for both men and women
~Delivery is fast and Jord updates you every step of the way

While we didn't have any complaints with our watches, when ordering, make sure you provide Jord with the exact  measurements of your wrist to avoid the hassle of resizing like we had to. Jord Watches kindly size the watch prior to shipping it out.

www.woodwatches.com

Our shoot below :)

~Posted by Olympia & Vanessa 

Clean Eating with: Soeuba Gambo

A friend I met in Ghana, who actually resides in the Netherlands, has become a dear friend to me for many reasons. Her name is Soueba Gambo. Although she isn't a size 0, she has one of the most amazing bodies I have ever seen! Her motivation and drive to achieve the healthiest body she knows how is completely contagious. 

"My motto in life is to always be better, faster and stronger" ~ Soueba Gambo. The first step to a healthy lifestyle is a healthy diet. Below are 3 easy meals prepared by Soueba, that not only look good, but are also good for you! 


Cauliflower porridge topped with kiwi, almonds and goji berries

 
Ingredients:1 cup Cauliflower; 150 ml of Coconut milk or almond milk; 1 kiwi fruit; almonds; goji berries.
Cook the cauliflower for 3-5 minutes. When cooked blend the cauliflower together with the milk. Slice kiwi fruit to liking. Put the porridge in a bowl and serve topped with the sliced kiwi fruit, almonds and goji berries.

      Cauliflower porridge topped with cranberries, grilled pear and banana
  
Ingredients:1 cup Cauliflower; 150 ml of Coconut milk or almond milk; 50 gram of dried cranberries; 1 pear; 1 ripe banana; 1 tsp honey (optional).Cook the cauliflower for 3-5 minutes. When cooked blend the cauliflower together with the milk. Slice the pear and heat coconut oil in a grill pan. Add sliced pear and let it cook until they soften (brown). Put the porridge in a bowl and serve topped with the pear, sliced banana and dried cranberries. Eetsmakelijk! As we would say in Dutch.




Mixed Plate

Ingredients: Courgetti; Tomatoes; Chinese cabbage; Lentils; Pumpkin
 Cook lentils for 30 min, when cooked add coconut oil, sea salt, cumin, peppers and garlic to taste. Cook pumpkin until they are soft, mashed it and add spices to taste. Spiralize the courgetti with a spiralizer, cut the cabbage and steam them in a steamer. Slice the tomatoes. Put everything separately on a plate.

For more tips on fitness and healthy eating, follow Soueba on Instagram- @woman_of__steel 

-Posted by Vanessa 

LONDON/PARIS/DUBAI 2015

I clearly don't want to believe that I am truly back to reality lol. Just like I recapped on Ghana, I thought I would also do a short post on the other part of my trip,  London, Paris and Dubai. 

London I had already visited in previous years, so apart form spending time with beloved family and shopping, I didn't do or see anything particularly new. In saying that, during my many times of catching public transport in London, I came to the conclusion that people in the western world who have more seem to be unhappier than those in developing countries. This may be an obvious observation, but this become so apparent to me when I compared my experiences/surroundings in Ghana to London. Way too often on the trains/buses I would RARELY see anyone crack a simple smile. Everyone was always in deep thought, straight faces, minding their own business. Ironically, in Ghana where people survive on close to nothing, you can walk on the streets and see someone with equivalent to $20 to their name dancing, smiling and simply enjoying the simplicities of life. Another reason why I am chasing a life of happiness and fulfilment, as opposed to one filled with money and no real purpose.

Paris and Dubai on the other hand were completely new, amazing experiences for me. The architecture in Paris is what blew my mind. The city is full of so much history, that can be felt by simply walking through the city being surrounded by beautiful buildings. Shopping wise, I felt Paris was a little on the expensive side (but hey, if your rich you will definitely be in heaven) as it is home to many of the great high-end designers we only dream of wearing. Overall, truly the city of love. Dubai was also full of beautiful and intricate buildings accompanied by rich culture. People in Dubai are living well! Everyone seemed to be doing well in terms of work and finances (obviously a generalisation, but applied to the vast majority of people i saw) and not to mention were all so lovely. The hospitality I received from my hotel staff and tour guides was definitely a positive testament to the majority of people I met in Dubai. 

I am beyond blessed to have had the opportunity to see these beautiful places and hold valuable memories and experiences close to my heart. I can't wait for my next journey !

London Eye

De Louvre, Paris

Paris

Paris

Paris

Paris

Museum in Paris

Eiffel Tower, Paris

Luxembourg Park, Paris

Luxembourg Park, Paris

Arc de triomphe, Paris

Paris

Dubai Desert

Dubai Desert

Dubai sunset

Dubai

Dubai





-Posted by Vanessa