A Foundation with a Polish Heart at the End of the World – An Interview with Monika Quarcoo
As part of its social initiatives program, 1% of the profit from every Balagan purchase is donated to foundations that work to improve quality of life. One of the foundations we have supported since the very beginning of Balagan is the Start From Ghana Foundation. Monika Quarcoo, the foundation's director, shares with us the story of their work.
Let’s start from the beginning – how did your collaboration with Balagan begin?
Our collaboration started 10 years ago when my path crossed with Hania and Agata. The girls were just starting their brand, and I was just beginning with the Foundation. We were brought together by shared values, which allowed our partnership to slowly grow. Today, ten years later, we can see how much we’ve been able to achieve together.
Tell us more about the foundation – what do you do?
Our foundation, Start from Ghana, was officially established in 2016, although our first project began in 2013. That year, we opened a preschool in the village of Duadze, named after Janusz Korczak. That was the beginning of everything. I felt a strong calling to continue this work. I am a trained educator, pedagogue, therapist, and someone who deeply believes in values. I have always dreamed of doing something for others, regardless of whether it was in Poland or somewhere else in the world. The inspiration to go to Ghana felt like a divine calling, and I am very happy I followed it. We care for around a hundred children in the kindergarten who have limited educational opportunities. It’s not easy work, which is why we need people like you to help make it all happen. Three years later, we formally established the foundation and named it Start from Ghana because we believe this is just the beginning. Our activities also include teacher training and various projects related to education and vocational development in the village.
Which project is especially important to you?
Our latest project, which we are very proud of and which you are also a significant part of, is the “Sisterhood” program. This educational initiative is for young teenage girls with very diverse, often challenging backgrounds. These girls are either dealing with difficult circumstances or have become young mothers at an early age. They don’t have the chance to dream of a life beyond their village or break away from their parents' circumstances. The biggest need for these girls is to address menstrual poverty, so we provide them with hygiene supplies and basic education about their bodies and development. Another key aspect of the program is mental health, which is a largely overlooked issue in Ghana. Many of these girls come from traumatic backgrounds, so helping them manage stress is a crucial support. The final pillar of the program is sexual education.
This program has grown organically, far beyond what we initially envisioned. After four years, we are now operating in seven regions of Ghana, and we hope to reach around a thousand teenage girls.
Can you share a personal story with us?
I could share many stories that might not seem significant to you, but for me, they are incredibly meaningful because I see them every day. I’d like to transport you for a moment to my Ghana to truly understand the challenges these girls face. For the opening of a new program session, one of our graduates, Sawajna, came to ask if she could lead part of our classes. Her participation in the program had such an impact on her that she wanted to give back some of that energy. In the Ghanaian education system, women are not taught critical thinking or encouraged to express their opinions. Her enthusiasm and initiative were a turning point for me. She shared how our program helped her believe in herself and pursue her dreams despite resistance from teachers. Her story highlights the importance of support and self-belief. It’s crucial for us because we see how our work genuinely changes these girls' lives.
What are your plans for the future?
Next year, we plan to expand our activities to more regions in Ghana. We also aim to launch a pilot program called “Brotherhood” for boys, in response to needs identified in schools and foundations. A major goal for us is to collaborate with international schools in Accra, the capital of Ghana, to reach urban youth, where similar problems often exist but are sometimes even more neglected.
You can read more about the Foundation on the website: Start From Ghana
