INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF TOMORROW’S STARS

By HQ Staff

For George Weir CWRU ’67, a chance encounter during a work trip has led to more than two decades of service to the Ghanaian community.

Weir first visited the city of Elmina, Ghana, in 2000. He was there on business, but it was the community, culture, and need that left an impact on him. After returning to the States, Weir built a connection with Ben, a dedicated and ambitious headmaster for Elmina’s Christ Cares International School. The school operated out of a small shed and was urgently seeking funding for a new roof. Five thousand miles away, Weir made the decision to send Ben a $60 check, a disposable camera, and a request to be kept informed of their progress.

He planned to return to Elmina the following year to meet Ben and see the conditions of the school firsthand, but the events on September 11, 2001, delayed his travel. Weir continued his long-distance relationship with Christ Cares until he was able to return to the city in 2003 – this time with his daughter in tow.

“I still remember that time, looking out on the ocean and thinking this might be something that changes my life. Or, it might be something I look at as being a waste of time. Then I thought, well there is something I can do now,” reflected Weir. 

What came next would change the lives for hundreds of children and Weir. In 2003, Weir established Tomorrow’s Stars – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization formed to make education possible and positively impact the youth of Elmina.

Tomorrow’s Stars began with a focus on early education, helping erect a new building to house students through third grade. Then came the junior high and library. As the school grew, the students did too.

Mensah

A whip-smart, 12-year-old boy named Rudolph Mensah drew the attention of Christ Cares staff and Weir. Rudolph excelled in his studies and earned a scholarship to attend high school. After graduation, he returned to Christ Cares as a teacher while contemplating his next path. Rudolph made the decision to pursue medicine and attend university. Turning to Weir for guidance, the next phase of Tomorrow’s Stars was born – funding the Pay It Forward program.

The Pay It Forward program encourages high school graduates to use a couple of years to explore their interests and skills to find their calling. They may work at Christ Cares as teachers, operate the added libraries, and manage (and use) computer lab facilities while applying for financial assistance in their future endeavors.

For Rudolph, this path led to a career as a doctor, a published author, and a representative for Ghana at the World Health Organization Summit in India.

Investing in the future has taken other forms for Weir, as well. His daughters, Liza and Nancy, have returned to Ghana several times. Weir hopes his children will help continue his valuable work in Elmina. “I think the culture we’ve created will outlast me,” Weir joked.

From its earliest days, members of Phi Kappa Psi have supported Brother Weir and his philanthropy. This past spring, Ohio Epsilon at Case Western Reserve University hosted its annual Jungle Rumble, a music festival fundraiser with local DJs. “Last year, we had great success, raising around $1,300 from the party. This year we had even better success, raising over $600 from the day of dares and around $1,000 from the actual party. We donate all of the money we raise,” said Ohio Epsilon President, Correy Zemon CWRU ’22. “Since we’ve made Tomorrow’s Stars our primary philanthropic organization, we’ve raised around $20,000 as a chapter. On top of that, we’ve had video calls and built connections with students our age in Ghana whom we personally support.”

Weir also started a $500 scholarship for the Fraternity member who will be their Tomorrow’s Stars coordinator, encouraging continued collaboration with the chapter. To this day, more than have of  the donations to Tomorrow’s Stars have come from Phi Psis.

“We have a bunch of college students here [and people in Ghana], and we should be able to connect better than we do. And we’re trying to do that,” Weir said.

With the help of countless locals, two of whom sit on Tomorrow’s Stars board of directors, a system of empowering people has been established with the community. And there are many more stars to look forward to rising in the form of Ghanaians and Phi Psis. Reminiscent of the Greek proverb, “society grows great when men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit,” George Weir shows that small acts of kindness can grow to change lives through education in Elmina, Ghana.

If you want to engage and/or donate, visit tstarsorg.wordpress.com or contact George Weir: gkweir@aol.com.