Iconic image of Ghanaian boy goes viral, demands donation of $20,000

A crowdfunding initiative to support Jake Amo, the five year- old boy from Asempanaye, in Ghana who has become a social media sensation because of his iconic image is gathering momentum. 

The campaign team has set a $20,000 target and the money will be used “to support Jake’s education and many other children like him” Solomon Adufah, the artist who worked with Jake told This is Africa. 

The fundraising campaign has raised almost $1,000 in less than 24 hours since the initiative started. 

Jake, who is now one of social media’s most recognizable faces is part of a group of enthusiastic children that Adufah met during his trip to Asempanaye, in Ghana as part of an initiative to teach and mentor children in creative studies and arts. 

“Jake was one of several children in my class. He was shy and quiet but his work was one that stood out amongst others. After drawing, we usually spent time talking about our work and presenting them to the class”. 

“Though Jake didn’t speak much, his work spoke volume to his talent. Very helpful and attentive in class as were all the children,” Adufah told This is Africa. 

The pictures were taken by Carlos Cortes, an award winning photographer who documented Adufah’s journey to Ghana. 

Adufah shared the pictures on Instagram in January as part of the artist’s ‘homeland series’ where he travels to various communities in Ghana, and other African countries to help underprivileged children in local communities, providing them with resources and teaching creative studies workshops. 

The artist says he is passionate about using his talent in a positive way to help transform the lives of children. 

“This summer I spent 3 months in East Africa continuing in my purpose traveling to Kenya working with ( http://www.arrivekenya.org), Tanzania working with ( http://www.kilimanjaro-children.org) and Uganda working with (http://afrikafifty6.com)”. 

Adufah says he hopes Jake’s images will be a force for positive change, which can transform the life of the boy and the other children. 

“I will be returning back to Ghana June of 2017 to continue working with the children and also providing resources for them”. 

“Every single day with them was very special. We spent everyday in class drawing and expanding our creative imaginations,” Adufah. 

“My ultimate goal is to build an art school in Ghana or a community Art Center to help children with after school programs,” Adufah told This is Africa. Photo Credit: Carlos Cortes /Solomon Adufah