FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hovde Foundation
1826 Jefferson Place, NW
Washington DC, 20036 USA
www.hovdefoundation.org

Contact: Jess Emelander
jemelander@hovdefoundation.org
202.261.0860

James Kofi Annan Accepts $100,000 Award

Challenging Heights’ Executive Director and Founder is awarded for Innovation for Social Justice by Grinnell College in Iowa.

GRINNELL, IOWA. October 27, 2011—James Kofi Annan, founder of Challenging Heights and a Hovde Foundation partner in Ghana, made the trip to Iowa this past week to accept his award as an Innovator for Social Justice, at Grinnell College. Along with this honor, James received $100,000 for his continued work, as well as the work of Challenging Heights’ staff-- many of whom risk their lives on a daily basis for freedom. This monetary award will help contribute to operational needs, adding to the efforts of the organization's other important partners like Global Fund for Children, AJWS, Empower, and Free the Slaves, to name a few.

It is estimated that over 240,000 of Ghana’s 6.3 million children are involved in forced and exploitative labor, the majority of who are under 13 years-old.  James knows first-hand the importance of these factors, as he survived and thrived after his own plight as a child slave. Thusly, he aims to support each aspect of the social injustice, through rescue, rehabilitation, education, and most-notably, prevention.

“His organization is really remarkable”, says Sarah Purcell, a Grinnell faculty member who presented James with the Social Justice Award. Following the official symposium presentation, James took part in a full week of activities with students, staff and community members, sharing with them his personal and professional pursuit of social justice. James encouraged his audiences to remain authentic in their work by finding their true calling in life.

As is central to Challenging Heights’ belief that education and the elimination of child labor are inextricably linked, James agreed that this presentation to a crowded room of academia felt all-too-appropriate.

For more information on ways to get involved at Challenging Heights, including volunteer and internship opportunities, please email jemelander@hovdefoundation.org.

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