Author Archives: Tonja Rice

The Importance of School Lunch

Whether in the United States or abroad, school lunch is an important part of any school system. Working with children on and off throughout the years, I’ve witnessed how hunger can impact not only a child’s health but also their education. School lunch provides students with the nutrition and energy they need to stay focusedContinue reading “The Importance of School Lunch”

Mission: Spread Hope, Give Love

A year ago, Mission: Spread Hope, Give Love was created as a mission initiative under the H.O.P.E. For Tomorrow umbrella. The original plan was to take 20 Americans to Ghana to do outreach in partnership with Ghanaian nonprofits. Everything was set in place from pre-departure trainings, boarding, transportation, and even our packed schedule to distributeContinue reading “Mission: Spread Hope, Give Love”

The Adenkrebi Basic School Nutrition Initiative

Prior to 2021, I had several dreams about starting a school lunch program. From my experience working in the school system and with children, both in the States and abroad, I understand the importance of school lunch. I can remember working with students who relied on school lunch because it was either their only balancedContinue reading “The Adenkrebi Basic School Nutrition Initiative”

What a Difference a Year Makes

From 2020 until now, there’s so much that has taken place in my life…and I’m not even able to write it all here. There have been both highs and lows as I continue to experience the ebbs and flows of life. As I mentioned in a previous blog, I spent a little over three monthsContinue reading “What a Difference a Year Makes”

Putting the Focus on FOCOS

On the outskirts of the city of Accra lies a town called Pantang. Pantang is much different from areas like East Legon, Osu, and the other bustling areas in Accra, Ghana. It’s not too far away from the center of the country’s capital, but not so close that you get lost in the mix ofContinue reading “Putting the Focus on FOCOS”

Where in the World is Tonja?

Sadly, back in the U.S. after having the ultimate public health experience! It’s been a few months since I last posted, and I kind of have the best excuse…I was away in Ghana for over three months doing what I love to do most, using my skills to serve and help other people. If you’veContinue reading “Where in the World is Tonja?”

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Every 92 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted; and every 9 minutes a child is sexually assulted.1 The numbers are heartbreaking. Each year, approximately 430,000 people living in the United States experience sexual assault, some of them children.2   Data from 2018 estimated that 734,630 people were raped (threatened, attempted, or completed) in the U.S.Continue reading “Sexual Assault Awareness Month”

World Kidney Day

A few years ago, I noticed several dialysis centers popping up around Maryland and DC.  It seemed like there was one on almost every other corner. The amount of dialysis centers in my area has become so alarming that one of my former co-workers spoke about it during a meeting, as we tried to thinkContinue reading “World Kidney Day”