How can you resist these beautiful little faces? These are the children of St. Paul’s Preschool, ranging in age from just 10 months to 6 years old. For the past 19 years, I have had the joy of returning to this school every summer. I’ve watched babies take their first steps, seen preschoolers become confident students, and celebrated as many have grown into young adults attending college. Seeing this next generation fills my heart with gratitude and reminds me why Ghanaian Mothers’ Hope exists.
Standing at the end of my row are two very special friends, Louise and Dr. David Klain. I first met Louise in 2019, and we immediately began planning a trip to Ghana for 2020. Like so many plans during the pandemic, that journey had to wait. This summer, six years later, they finally made the trip. Dr. Klain is a neonatologist, caring for our tiniest and most vulnerable patients—newborns, especially premature and critically ill babies. His expertise and compassionate heart were a tremendous blessing to the children and families we met.
David and Louise came to Ghana to share their professional expertise with healthcare providers. Their week began with a fascinating tour of the renowned 37 Military Hospital in Accra.
Dr. David Klain, a neonatologist specializing in the care of premature and critically ill newborns, spent the following week teaching physicians and nurses about newborn examinations, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), modes of ventilation, oxygen therapy, and the diagnosis and treatment of neonatal lung disease.
Louise Klain, who holds a master’s degree in counseling and has extensive experience in marriage, family, and child counseling, presented sessions on supporting parents of critically ill children, responding to angry or distressed family members, managing stress in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and developing healthy strategies for coping with the emotional demands of healthcare.
Their knowledge, compassion, and willingness to serve were a tremendous blessing to the hospital staff.
After a week of teaching and building new friendships, the hospital hosted a special celebration in their honor. As a token of appreciation, the staff presented David and Louise with beautiful traditional Ghanaian clothing. It was a touching expression of gratitude and a reminder that while they came to Ghana to teach, they also left with lasting friendships and a deeper connection to the people they served.
Bryan Woolston is no stranger to Ghana.
I am so blessed to have Bryan Woolston in my life. For more than twenty years, I was a member of Church of the Ascension Episcopal Church in Westminster, Maryland. My late husband, Carl Frock III, and Bryan’s father, Mace Woolston, were close friends, so I have known Bryan since he was about thirteen years old.
Today, Bryan is an accomplished photojournalist whose work has taken him around the world. He has photographed Presidents of the United States, world leaders, major sporting events, and countless news stories. Yet this was Bryan’s third trip to Ghana because he believes in the mission of Ghanaian Mothers’ Hope.
Bryan generously volunteered his time and talents to document the incredible work that has taken place over the past twenty years. Through his camera, he captured not only our schools, Reading Camps, and healthcare projects, but also the smiles, hope, and resilience of the children and families whose lives have been transformed.
Bryan has a busy family life and is in the process of building a nonprofit organization dedicated to equipping journalists with the training and safety resources they need while working in dangerous environments. Even with those commitments, he chose to spend his time in Ghana helping us share our story with the world.
His photographs tell the story of Ghanaian Mothers’ Hope far better than words alone ever could, and I am deeply grateful for his friendship and generosity.
Debi Frock
Ghanaian Mothers' Hope 
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