For nearly two decades, Touch A Life has worked alongside children, families and communities in Ghana to create opportunities for healing, education and independence. Along the way, journalists, authors, universities, media organizations and partners have shared stories about the children we serve, the people who make this work possible and the lasting impact of lives transformed. Explore some of the stories that have helped tell the Touch A Life journey.
Over the years, Touch A Life’s work has been shared by media outlets and organizations around the world. These featured stories offer a closer look at our mission, our work in Ghana and the people and partnerships that have helped shape the Touch A Life journey.
The New York Times · October 29, 2006
This is the article that changed the course of Touch A Life. Sharon LaFraniere’s reporting introduced readers to six-year-old Mark Kwadwo and the realities faced by children forced to work in Ghana’s fishing industry on Lake Volta. After reading Mark’s story, Pam and Randy Cope knew they had to act.
Modern Ghana · February 14, 2007
Following the rescue of Mark Kwadwo and six other children, millions of viewers were introduced to their story through The Oprah Winfrey Show. This Ghana-based account captures the national attention surrounding Mark’s rescue and the early efforts that helped bring greater awareness to child trafficking on Lake Volta.
Grand Central Publishing · April 16, 2009
Pam Cope’s memoir, Jantsen’s Gift: A True Story of Grief, Rescue, and Grace, chronicles the loss of her son Jantsen and the journey that transformed personal grief into a mission serving vulnerable children around the world. The book also shares the beginnings of Touch A Life and the path that eventually led Pam and Randy to Ghana.
2 News Oklahoma / KJRH · February 11, 2022
An inside look at Touch A Life’s mission and the journey from rescue to healing, education and independence. Featuring Pam and Randy Cope and Emmanuel Crawford, the story explores the lasting impact of providing children with safety, opportunity and hope.
Wake Forest Magazine · January 4, 2016
A moving look at the relationships that have shaped Touch A Life’s work in Ghana. The story follows Dana Dix and Lauren Henn to the Care Center and shares how love, loss and friendship inspired the creation of Seth’s Social Center.
CBN
Emmanuel Crawford shares his journey from forced labor on Lake Volta to freedom, family and a new life in Oklahoma. His story offers a powerful glimpse of what can become possible when a child is given safety, opportunity and a place to belong.
The Christian Chronicle · March 1, 2007
One of the earliest stories documenting Touch A Life’s work in Ghana, this article recounts the rescue of Mark Kwadwo and six other children from forced labor on Lake Volta and the national attention their story received through The Oprah Winfrey Show.
First Book / PR Newswire · September 24, 2013
A look at Touch A Life’s partnership with First Book and the role education plays in creating opportunities beyond rescue. The collaboration helped place new books into the hands of children in Ghana who had experienced trafficking and exploitation.
The Dallas Morning News · November 5, 2010
The Dallas Morning News highlights Pam Cope’s work through Touch A Life and the growing community inspired by its mission. The story shows how the effort to help children in Ghana also sparked action among students and supporters in North Texas.
Behind every Touch A Life story is a life transformed. These stories follow individuals whose journeys reflect the lasting impact of freedom, family, opportunity and hope.
2 News Oklahoma / KJRH · February 11, 2022
From forced labor on Lake Volta to Friday night football in Oklahoma, Emmanuel Crawford shares the remarkable journey that began with his rescue through Touch A Life and ultimately led to his adoption by the Crawford family.
Show Me The Ozarks Magazine · April 12, 2022
Emmanuel Crawford reflects on his early childhood working on Lake Volta, his rescue through Touch A Life and the journey that brought him from Ghana to his family in Oklahoma. His story is one of resilience, hope and the possibilities that can follow freedom.
The Oklahoman · January 6, 2023
Emmanuel Crawford was named the 2022–23 Gatorade Oklahoma Football Player of the Year, recognizing his athletic achievement, academic success and character. The story also shares Emmanuel’s journey from Ghana and his continued connection to Touch A Life.
NBC Sports · November 23, 2018
NBC Sports shares the extraordinary story of Haven Shepherd, whose journey began in Vietnam after a family tragedy left her without both legs. Pam and Randy Cope helped create the connection that ultimately brought Haven to the United States and the family that would become her own.
Touch A Life’s work has always been strengthened by people and organizations who believe in creating lasting change. From education and community partnerships to projects built in memory of loved ones, these stories celebrate the connections that have helped expand opportunities for children and communities in Ghana.
First Book / PR Newswire · September 24, 2013
Touch A Life’s partnership with First Book helped put new books into the hands of children in Ghana who had experienced trafficking and exploitation. The initiative reflects the important role education has played in Touch A Life’s approach to long-term care and empowerment.
The Christian Chronicle · 2011
The story of Connor’s Song and the Deal family illustrates how one family transformed personal loss into action, partnering with Touch A Life to support children affected by trafficking and exploitation. Their involvement ultimately helped create a lasting legacy at the Care Center in Ghana.
UNICEF Ghana · Child Protection Mapping Report
Touch A Life is recognized in UNICEF Ghana’s mapping of child protection institutions as an organization working alongside government agencies and NGOs to protect vulnerable children. The report highlights Touch A Life’s collaborative role in providing home and child care in Ghana.
For two decades, Touch A Life has been committed to creating a different future for children affected by trafficking and exploitation. These stories capture the early moments, people and events that brought Touch A Life to Ghana and helped shape the mission we continue today.
Los Angeles Times · July 12, 2009
Reporting from Lake Volta, the Los Angeles Times examines the cycle of child trafficking within Ghana’s fishing industry and follows the work of Ghanaian rescuer George Achibra. The story identifies Touch A Life among the organizations working with Achibra to help children leave forced labor and begin new lives.
What Women Write · August 28, 2009
Co-author Aimee Molloy reflects on writing Jantsen’s Gift and how her work with Pam Cope and Touch A Life took her to Africa and Asia. She shares how witnessing the realities of child trafficking firsthand changed both her work and her perspective.
The Dallas Morning News · November 7, 2010
The Dallas Morning News revisits Pam Cope’s work through Touch A Life and highlights how the organization’s mission reached beyond Ghana, inspiring students and communities across North Texas to become involved in supporting children who had experienced trafficking and exploitation.
Nancy Borowick · Photojournalist
For more than a decade, award-winning photojournalist Nancy Borowick documented the children and community of Touch A Life in Ghana. Her photographs offer a rare visual record of children growing from their earliest years at the Care Center into inspiring young adults pursuing their own futures.
During Agents of Change projects, our team enters each community and builds trust from day one. They sit with chiefs and assembly members. They share goals and listen to needs. Leaders see the plan and give full support. This support makes implementation smoother and...
At our last clinic, you helped provide clean drinking water to 8,000 people and empowered over 250 female students, teachers, and community leaders with education on reproductive health. Menstrual hygiene packs were also distributed to help keep girls in school...
Every brushstroke tells a story of healing, resilience, and hope. At Touch A Life, art becomes a voice for survivors. #SurvivorCare#EndChildTrafficking #AgentsOfChange #BringingHopeToCommunity #ImpactingLives
We’ve welcomed 10 incredible new children to the Touch A Life Care Center—now home to over 120 bright, resilient kids! As we make space for them to heal and dream, we’re raising funds for 10 new beds and bedding. Want to be a part of welcoming these survivors? Donate...
On March 19, our Agents of Change empowered over 200 girls with vital training on menstrual hygiene and reproductive health. The girls were educated on how to use menstrual cups and received essential sanitary products — a step that not only eases the financial burden...
Launching Agents of Change What happens when the Touch A Life children grow up? Our mantra at Touch A Life has always been to raise a generation of leaders who will rise up and be the voice for the voiceless, working to eradicate modern-day slavery in their own...
Happy Fall, Y'all! School is back in full swing and we never grow tired of celebrating another group of 17 college grads! They are already building their life of independence and we couldn't be more proud of them! Way to go, guys!
We are so thankful for a one-of-a-kind learning opportunity Design Technology Institute, in Accra, has offered our high school students! Abednego is a graphic design student, learning Photoshop, Illustrator, Lightroom, and more! He has even been given the opportunity...
When you care for 83 students daily, you must surround yourself with the best village, who works together and are passionate about the work they do. We are so grateful for our village!!
Throwback to 2018 with choreographer Serge Koffi, photographer/videographer Joel Santos and TAL students who are now FREE to create, FREE to dance...they are FREE!