About Us

Pagus:Africa. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that works at a grassroots level on projects that directly improve people’s lives. We are currently working in Ghana, W. Africa. Projects are primarily focused in the Volta Region. We are non-sectarian, non-governmental, and apolitical.

Pagus, Inc was established in 1996 as a non-profit art gallery (Pagus Gallery) and community outreach organization. The decision to extend the organization’s efforts to work in Ghana was made in 2004 after founders Ellen Berenholz and Timothy Hawkesworth were introduced to the challenges faced by the people in the Volta Region in Ghana and requests for help were made. Ellen traveled to Ghana with her son to gain better understanding of the needs and most effective way to help.

Students waving hands during art workshop in Ghana

Pagus:Africa was founded with the desire to have a direct and meaningful impact on children’s lives with minimal administrative expenses. 100% of all money donated goes directly into the projects we’ve committed to. By keeping projects small and focused, there is not a need to have paid staff. We are all volunteers.

About the needs in the rural Volta Region
  • People live on amazingly little, with strong spirits and a strong ambition to improve their lives
  • Many of the rural villages lack access to clean water
  • There is little or no sanitation in many areas
  • High infant mortality
  • Rampant malaria
  • Lack of medical supplies
  • Adults and children are hungry to learn. They understand that education is the key to their future.
What makes this work possible…

The support and contributions of the following companies, organizations, and schools as well as the many generous individual donors, sponsors and volunteers, make all the difference:

Capital Lease, Hapag-Lloyd, DHL forwarding services, Penske Auto Rental , Drexel University College of Medicine, Cedar Hill Elementary School, Gwynned-Mercy Academy Elementary students and staff, Penn Charter School, Global Gifts in Wayne, PA, Lexington High School Model UN Club, Vantage Point Advisors , All of our generous sponsors and donors!

Accomplishments to date:

In just the last 6 years we have:

  • Implemented a sponsorship program now caring for 80+ children to attend school
  • Built an eight classroom school with offices, library and bathrooms
  • Provided a clean and sustainable water source for the Bishop Forson School
  • Created and implemented volunteer programs including Painting Possibilities
  • Sent containers and other shipments of school and medical supplies and equipment
  • Sent a school van and a second vehicle for farm and other essential work
  • Undertaken various farming projects and introduced drip irrigation
  • Built and distributed 1st aid boxes to 22 schools in Ho Municipality, VR
  • Consulted and built websites for Nongovernmental Organizations in Ghana that are closely aligned with ours.
  • Helped get an ambulance on the road to bring help to rural villages
Community by Community, Child by Child – You Can Make a Difference.

Pagus is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization in the U.S. Our Federal tax number (EIN) # is 23-2965192