Jane Davison and Connie Peterson recently went on a globe-trotting journey to the West African nation of Ghana, where they found not only new friends but also people who would touch their hearts.

Davison and Peterson have met many people here in the Bakken that come from around the globe. Some of their co-workers were from Ghana, and they were invited to visit the country on one of their trips.

“If it wasn’t for the oil field we would have never met these people because there are people from all over the world working here,” Davison said. “We did some research and decided to go to a few orphanages and a few other sites. We’re both grandmothers and it seemed like the thing to do.”

Before leaving, the women stocked up on goods they could bring to help the orphans, Peterson added. Everything from diapers made of old T-shirts to dental hygiene equipment was collected from the community.

“The community was very supportive and gave us everything we needed,” Peterson said.

During the trip they went to visit one orphanage unannounced, the King Jesus Charity Home. King Jesus houses 70 orphans and 11 staff members, they said.

“The kids are either abandoned, orphaned or their parents don’t have enough money to take care of them,” Davison said.

The orphanage is so full right now, they can’t take any more children, she said, due to lack of staff, money and space. The women were given a tour of the facilities which include a library and small infirmary, however, both books and medicine are hard to come by.

“They had aspirin and bandages,” Peterson said. “A modern day first aid kit has more than what they had on their shelf for their 70 children.”

“Things are bad (in the country),” Davison said. “People who were doing OK are struggling, and local donations have been scant.”

That is why the duo is working together to raise money for King James both online and in person. They are hoping to raise money for several building projects at the orphanage as well as food and staff pay for the next year. There is a GoFundMe account at gofundme.com/kingjesus, where those interested can contribute to their goal of $20,000.

That $20,000 will go toward helping finish the current building as well as building new housing for the staff. Other projects include repairing sidewalks, streets and exterior buildings as well as buying mosquito nets for all the children and staff. The women are also working on organizing fundraisers to help reach their goal.

“Whatever we get goes directly to them and they will send pictures when the building is completed,” Davison said.

The children are responsible for paying for their school and books, otherwise they get no education. Eleven of the children are in need of a sponsor, which costs about $25 a month, Davison noted.

“They go to school outside the orphanage,” Peterson explained. “That’s why we’re raising money from sponsors, also. When you sponsor a child, it gives them money and allows them to go to school.”

But they haven’t stopped at helping the children of Ghana. Peterson also works to collect items to send to the less fortunate in Zimbabwe. Clothing, toys, sports and especially medical equipment like crutches and walkers are in dire need.

“There’s a church in Dickinson that fills up a cargo container full of supplies,” she said. “They send between one and three containers a year.”

To donate, sponsor or give supplies you can contact Peterson at 406-480-9594 or Davison at 605-877-5108. You can also speak with director Gabriel Afriyei at afriyiegabriel@yahoo.com or the King Jesus Charity Home Facebook page.

Although times are tough in Africa, the women said the people seemed incredibly happy, possibly happier than the children here in the U.S.

“I think they’re probably happier,” they said at nearly the same time.

“They’re happy; they’re joyful,” Davison said. “They’re educated. They all speak English, mostly very well.”

“They desperately love books,” Peterson added, “story books, picture books, science books.”

Davison asked one of the teenage girls she had gotten to know quite well what her and the other girls needed.

“She said a Bible, a diary, a storybook (Aladdin was her favorite) and a sponsor,” Davison said. “It broke my heart.”