About us
A Ghanaian foundation in the Netherlands, built on a dream
Fofie Foundation was founded by Dennis Toppin and his best friend Brian Giersthove, both Ghanaian-Dutch. We build schools in the Ashanti Region, with Ghanaian craftsmen, for Ghanaian children.
Our story
From a dream to 24 classrooms
Dennis Toppin and Brian Giersthove are best friends, both raised in the Netherlands and both with roots in Ghana. Dennis's father, Nana Fofie, always told him that whoever has built something up gives something back to the place they come from.
A child born in Ghana is no less intelligent and no less worthy than a child born in the Netherlands. The difference is not talent, it is luck. We had the luck to be born here, with a school around the corner and a roof that does not leak. That is not an achievement, that is chance. And if chance is the only difference, there is no reason to act as if that difference is justified.
The foundation builds on that dream of Nana Fofie. Dennis and Brian founded Stichting Fofie Foundation with a simple principle: the school is built by Ghanaian craftsmen from the region itself, not by volunteers who are flown in. The money comes from the Netherlands, the craftsmanship from Ghana.
In Daban, a village near Kumasi, they put together their own building team. That team has now delivered a school of 24 classrooms in shell form: foundations, walls and roofs are up. The foundation is deliberately small. No office, no paid board members, no expensive campaigns. But: public annual accounts and a school that is a little more finished every month.
We do not need to be convinced that the money is well spent. We stand right beside it ourselves.
Dennis Toppin, founder
Dennis Toppin and Brian Giersthove, founders of Fofie Foundation, at the school in Daban.
How we work
A small organisation with a big building project
You speak directly with the founders and every expense is in the annual accounts.
Our own building team in Ghana
No contractors at a distance, but a permanent team of masons, carpenters and painters from the region itself. They know the village, the suppliers and the building ground.
Direct and documented
The money goes straight from our Dutch account to materials and wages in Ghana. Every expense is in the annual accounts and every building phase we record on photo.
Finishing what stands
We start no new project before the previous one is finished. First now: finishing and furnishing the 24 classrooms in Daban, so the first classes can start.
Two pillars, one idea
Giving young people a chance, there and here
Educational opportunity is the common thread in everything we do: for children in Ghana and for young people in the Netherlands.
Pillar 1 · Ghana
Building schools in the Ashanti Region
Our main project is the school of 24 classrooms in Daban. After the finishing and the phased opening, the next school project in the region follows, along the same model: our own team, our own oversight, public figures.
See the progress in DabanPillar 2 · Netherlands
Projects for young people in the Netherlands
Closer to home too, young people deserve a helping hand. We are now preparing the first actions and projects for young people in the Netherlands.
Read about the Netherlands pillarBoard
Unpaid board
The board works entirely unpaid. Nobody at Fofie Foundation receives a salary or fee. Only the building team in Ghana receives wages for the construction work.
Dennis Toppin
Chairman
Responsible for contact with the building team in Daban and the planning of the building phases. Travels to Ghana several times a year. Son of Nana Fofie, after whom the foundation is named.
Brian Giersthove
Treasurer and secretary
Best friend of Dennis and co-founder. Responsible for the finances, the annual accounts and contact with donors and partners in the Netherlands.
Questions for the board? Email info@fofiefoundation.com. You get an answer from Dennis or Brian themselves.
Help finish the school in Daban
For 30 euros a child goes to school for a month. You see exactly which classrooms your gift finishes.