Country Stars George Canyon and Aaron Pritchett visit Ghana

Canadian country music stars George Canyon and Aaron Pritchett recently traveled to Tamale in northern Ghana with Children Believe. During their visit, the longtime friends witnessed firsthand how community-based programs are transforming lives through clean water, proper healthcare, school support and economic opportunities. Here are their reflections, in their own words, as they prepared to go home after an eye-opening and life-changing journey.

What surprised you most about your visit to Ghana?

Aaron Pritchett: I came in with no expectations, and my mind was widely open. I've been absolutely blown away — not only by what Children Believe does, but by the communities themselves. Everyone is so happy and thankful for the help they're receiving. The most surprising thing was wondering if I'd be accepted into their land and communities. It just warmed my heart knowing they genuinely welcomed us.

George Canyon: This is my first time in Africa. I've worked with other organizations and visited different places around the world, but Ghana was different. With Children Believe, you're not just visiting one individual or family — it's an entire community. When we arrived, the whole community came out. Chiefs, elders, everyone. They made us feel like family, and they were genuinely excited we were there.

One of your first stops was a new water source?

George: Getting to see the community where the water source had been built meant a lot to me. I've been to places where they don't have clean drinking water, and I've seen what happens to children and communities without it. Water is the source of life — without it, you can't survive no matter how much food you have. Seeing a community thrive was powerful.

Aaron: I was so happy to see they have access to that. They bored down almost 300 meters to get clean, fresh water. You can tell how healthy the people look — they're drinking clean water, and they're cooking with clean water. It's fantastic.

What did you see at the health post?

Aaron: Having a clean health facility in this area is huge. They've come so far from just a few years ago when they had to leave their communities for proper healthcare. Now they don't have to leave their village for anything that's not too severe. You could see the look on the faces of the nurses and staff — how happy they were. The community members had this new energy because they have access to help right there.

George: Health is everything. What we witnessed was like a triage clinic — they can handle most situations there and send people to the hospital in the city only when necessary. The healthcare professionals told us anxiety levels are way down, especially with expecting mothers. When mothers don't have anxiety, it makes a big difference in the outcome of healthy babies.

How were the school visits?

George: It was incredible seeing these kids so focused and hyper-focused — happy to be there, grateful to be there. The teachers felt almost like parents teaching their kids, which comes from the whole community raising the children together.

Aaron: One classroom had 52 students. They still need more space and desks and supplies, but it's also a testament to how many children can go to school now. That one school has a 100 percent success rate. The education process is going great because they have the building, they're getting the desks, they're getting the supplies.

You met with a women's savings and loan group. What was that like?

Aaron: It was the most amazing thing — these women sitting in a circle with one person leading and a safety deposit box with three locks, three different keys, three different people. The person who takes the box doesn't have a key. This simple model has such an incredible return on investment. These women can start businesses and borrow if their family gets into a situation. It's community supporting community — everybody supporting everybody else, so nobody suffers.

George: When one person succeeds, the whole community succeeds. That's a beautiful thing. We need to get back to that.

What's your message to Canadians about supporting communities like these?

George: This could easily be your family. The desensitization happening in North America is inexcusable. When you experience something firsthand, it changes you — or rather, it reminds your spirit of what we're supposed to be doing here on Earth: supporting each other. You don't have to physically come here to make a difference.

Aaron: If only more Canadians could come and witness this with their own eyes, then they’d spread that message to other people, like we will.

"When one person succeeds, the whole community succeeds. That's a beautiful thing."

Any final thoughts?

George: Any donation makes a difference. Aaron and I can speak to that — we've witnessed what Children Believe does.

Aaron: We've been boots on the ground here for several days, gone to several communities, and couldn't be more appreciative. Any amount is a good amount.

Check out more inspring stories like this in our new edition of ChildVoice!